So I go to Córdoba Immersions, and I usually have an expectation of knowing what I am doing. The funny thing is, I don't. I also know this, and yet my expectation remains..
Therefore, I am put into this position of leader of a team of students. Usually, you will get troubled kids, but you'll often be balanced out by good ones as well. The problem is when the troubled kids impact the good ones.
Franco is a good kid. He would try to speak English (at the English camp given in Argentina), he would offer good ideas, he would participate. But some of the games are challenging, and everyone on the team is complaining. One kid is trying to have all the attention, but is not encouraging the team.
In one game, everyone does so well, but they don't finish the challenge. They look to the others and complain, "But they have it easier!" "But it's impossible!"
So Franco quits. He leaves the group completely, and sits with the others who can't play due to broken arms or legs (seriously).
I call him, and another who is more of the problem. "We want you to participate, but we need to work as a team. So if you want to participate again, show me that you care. Sit here and cheer us on. The team will decide when you can join again."
Neither of them were enthusiastic about this, but I had to get them away from their friends that only made their leaving the team worse.
I was heartbroken by the brokenness of our team. I even cried with Marisol and Russell about how the good kids were not getting to enjoy their time because of the influence of the negative ones. They offered some tips, gave their hugs. I sat by the pool while the kids swim, and decided to write a little note to Franco, in Spanish, telling him how I felt about his potential. 'I understand that it must be difficult to work with our team, and it's your choice, but what a lastima that we miss out on what you could contribute.'
He sheepishly came to me later saying he wanted to participate. And then, at the end of the camp, he wrote this letter:
"I'm thankful for Sarayah for understand me and give me other choice for participate. I'm sorry for what I do."
Simply precious.
I am reminded that we can't change someone ever. I often return to this conclusion about how only God can change a heart. But I wanted to stress more the idea that we can't make much of a difference in a matter of days.. hours really. How much more awesome when God is kind enough to show us a smidgen of hope in such a short time!
