i rarely engage in any sort of significant dialogue about my experience in that far-off land because it was an emotional trip on levels that are still hard for me to reconcile. despite this, i wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world. i feel like the luckiest little bird ever to have an opportunity like that & there’s no way i take it for granted.

when i first arrived, i asked myself, “steph, why are you even here?” & i couldn’t entirely answer that question right away. it was even a little disheartening because i felt as though i lacked purpose. as the weeks went on, i asked myself again & again. toward the end of my journey, i came to a realization that i was there for love. i was there to love. i was there to share my love & my heart. i will always love those children. i will always love those widows. it’s genuinely hard to visit for just a couple months & leave without any idea of when you might return or if you will return at all. i sometimes feel guilty about it. but in the end, i know that i’ve done my very best & maybe sharing my heart with each of those individuals during that short time was just how it is supposed to be.

cheers!