Farewell Belmont

I had the privilege of meeting 7 of Belmont’s finest individuals. An incredible combination of students and faculty came out here for a Mission Trip and as much as I loved my journey here last year and all of the crazy adventures that came with it, this team was different. More focused. Dare I say it, more dedicated. They came to work. Of course they did occasional sightseeing. How could they not? But as a group of young missionaries (whether they call themselves that or not), they came with a mission and they fulfilled it. They were hospitable to me and to everyone around them. They were the only team I’ve seen here that actually cooked, took orders, and served their leaders in appreciation for all they’ve done. And it was delicious. They offered themselves to Red Hill, the poorest Living Hope community, during the hectic holiday club and loved every second of it.

They don’t leave until tomorrow, but I doubt I’ll get to see them again (here). Their journey took them on about 5 different flights just to get here. They originally wanted to come to Cape Town, then it changed to Kenya, then it changed to Zimbabwe, then it came back here. God had it planned the whole time. Maybe that’s what sets apart certain groups and people from others I meet here. I’ve noticed that the Christians who come here to serve due to their faith convictions are the ones who get the most done and who go all out without complaint and with total openness to the new culture. They give more freely. They understand the problems more rationally. They even have this unique energy about them, which by itself is obvious. (And I don’t mean all Christians everywhere do these things. I don’t even mean Christianity in general, but the Christian missionaries I’ve met here dealing specifically with the problems faced HERE) The Belmont team lived up to those statements and I am proud to say that I go to their same university. Our team last year was wonderful and I can’t imagine anyone that has visited here has gone away unaffected. That’s by no means what I’m trying to say. But they didn’t come here to visit or to sight-see or to even make friends. They came to work. They came putting their mission first and they have inspired me and will hopefully partner with this music academy when I return.

Maybe a few of them will come back. Maybe we can start a Belmont trend.

This week, despite my disgusting allergy attack/sickness, has been incredible and I’ll write more about it tomorrow or over the weekend, or Monday. Cheers!