Reflections from our translator

Rick Mackey invited Biohanny and I to translate for a group from Rochester, Minnesota. So I was like, "Yeah, I'll translate!" We have American groups come to Boma and I have translated for them so I was ready to translate for this group. The first day I was introduced to the group but I did not have a chance to really get to know people very well. I shared my story with some girls but there were still a lot of new faces in the crowd. And as the days went on I got to talk and play with the girls, bonding over free time and ministry opportunities in different villages. To the people of the villages we were just one group so I felt more bonded to the American group, a real part of them. As more time passed, I felt like the group became like family. Even though I was a translator we planned out together how we were going to do the services to the kids or youth in the villages. The first girl that I talked to was Christina. And on the last night with the group Darin told us to share one person that was a real encouragement throughout the week. Christina chose me first but I had already planned on sharing how she too had been an encouragement to me as a friend. So at first this group felt like just another group I was translating for and one in which I wasn't part of but at the end of the week I felt very differently. In the end, I felt like this group from Minnesota was like family! This is a testimony to the special bond that we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. I was going to share this with the group on the last day, the celebration day, but I didn't want to because I knew that I was going to cry so hard. Rick said that it was hard for his kids, Ben and Elena, to have groups come down, make friends with them and then leave. I started to think about the groups that would come up to Boma and all the friends that I have made throughout the years and it being so difficult because they would come, have a great week, and then they would have to leave. It is very hard for me after groups leave because in Boma there is not many Christian youth in church that I can share with so it makes life harder. Having more brothers and sisters and Christ and making new friends and sharing with them makes it very difficult to let them go. In particular, Darin was encouraging in the way he taught the youth how to be Christ's disciples and it seemed so easy for him to exemplify simple demonstrations to help even me understand more what it means to follow Christ. I just want everyone to know that I had a great time with you all and thank you for welcoming me into your group (familia). I love you all and I hope that you come back in two years or less!

Alexandra T.