Here's to Goodbye...

... Tomorrow's gonna come too soon.
These words cannot begin to capture how much I feel the weight of the 8 weeks I've spent here in Honduras hanging heavy on my shoulders, and on my heart. I regret that I cannot stay here longer - that I cannot offer more to the communities here who have so little and yet have hope that they can make it through life every day despite their monumental difficulties. I think I can draw from that vast depth of strength and take some of that determination with me back to Duke - to share with everyone I know to inspire others to work tirelessly and without hesitation because we're all capable of it. We're all capable of fighting for what we believe in. Here it is family, it is food - it is meeting the basic needs to live despite not having a regular source of income and all of the uncertainty towards the economic future that the political tension here has cast on everyone - even neighboring countries that rely on Honduras as a passageway from Guatemala to Nicaragua. At the same time that I can't believe I'm leaving here, I am so grateful that I am - that I have the opportunity and privilege to do so, to see challenges and yet return to my comfortable life, only to enjoy luxuries that people here may never enjoy. It saddens me, truly, this difficult reality, and yet I choose to confront it with hope and not guilt. I choose to use my privilege to benefit those whom I will serve in the future. We are not born into fair conditions, but that does not mean that we have the luxury to sit and watch and agree that it's just unfair and there's nothing we can do about it. There is something - even a small thing, even just spending time with people here and bringing them several items that will hopefully help them even for a short while - it is something, not everything, not even enough, but something large enough to inspire hope. I know that I am just one person, but this past year has shown me that even just one person with a vision and a tenacious commitment and passion can transform a small idea into a huge reality. Just last year I only hoped with my whole self that a program like this would be possible - that I could bring a health education program to a Spanish-speaking country and work with kids to empower them with health materials and information to help prevent disease. And all of my hard work this past year has come to this - to a moment of departure that I'm content with, having served four communities in a meaningful way through interviews about health issues, community health talks, donated medical and school supplies, and most importantly 4 health education camps that will hopefully inspire children here to put care and thought into taking care of themselves. Project HEAL has come to life. The spark of inspiration I had to put together this project has been aired into a fire, glowing and wholesome, a testament to hard work and perseverance even when other people doubted our goals and methods. This moment of feeling content has not come without tears shed for unforseen difficulties, frustrations over changes in plans, and anxiety and stress. I do not deny that the road was difficult nor that it has been a perfect journey, but I believe there is beauty in the imperfections - in striving towards something that may seem unattainable or only a vision yet can become reality - even a flawed reality but all the better because it is real and meaningful. The kids here have touched my heart and mind with something greater than I ever could have imagined - they have inspired hope in me that even making a small effort can build friendships and life-changing experiences. Passion is what this world needs more of, and love too. Love deep enough to transcend judgment and to leave behind fear of rejection - love with feeling enough to create a friendship out of broken feelings, to inspire a smile in a crying and frustrated child. I have witnessed this love - on both the giving and receiving ends. I will not let it go - I will not let this experience pass through me but rather continue with me as an undercurrent to my every action and decision. I will have the kids in mind when we choose new members, when we make decisions about the projects, when we solicit donations, when we think big about our goals and hope to serve the communities that have touched our hearts with compassion, love, and friendship. I know it is time to say goodbye - but only just for now - only for a short time and then we will return again and build on the foundation of friendship and trust we have worked hard for this year and summer. I will keep working hard and I work hard because I find value and beauty in the work itself, regardless of whether the outcome benefits me or not. Because I know that ultimately if I model diligence, passion, and love through my selfless actions, I will find friends and followers and hopefully bridge differences through my life's work. :) :) Ahorita, adiós, pero regresaré en el futuro... mis amigos y amores... te echaré de menos.