Changed Forever

Have you ever met someone and spent time with them and then all of the sudden you have found that they have changed your life? Well, multiply that by 13! Those French kids have invaded my heart (as well as their families) and I am blessed. They have made such an impact on my family. They have become a part of it. Now we not only have our youth group kids who we consider "our kids", but we have a whole other group of "our kids" that are half way around the world. Each one of them is special in his or her own way. They have great personalities and are great to be around. I have to say their parents are awesome people too. They didn't know us at all, but yet they opened their homes and treated us as a part of their families. There are no words to describe what these people (some of whom we couldn't really even speak to) have meant to us. They shared with us and loved us. They hurt when we hurt. When you spend two weeks straight with people, not everything is always rosey. When Marty got his pocket picked on the train, they genuinely hurt with us and wanted to do everything they could to help. And the feelings were mutual. They had their ups and downs too and we felt for them and wanted to be there for them. God is so good like that. He knits the hearts of His people together and creates bonds that will last at lifetime. These people are engrained in our hearts. We will never forget them or stop loving them. We are ready for another trip!!!!! (even Marty!)