Reflecting upon our trip to South Africa, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s quote, “all truly wise thoughts have been thought already, thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, until they take firm root in our personal experience”, appeared in my head. Although I grasped the overall general theme of this quote, seven words perplexed me; we must think them over again honestly. I asked myself how one can reflect honestly? The answer to this riddle was enveloped in a cloud of confusion. How can I reflect honestly?

As I was glancing through the numerous pictures of our trip, the answer started to appear before my eyes. Ironically, I was staring at a picture of the rising sun during our safari ride at Kruger National Park when it surfaced. I found the answer to this riddle! To reflect honestly, I must take myself out of the equation and reflect upon my experience from a third person point of view; a so-called outer body experience. 

With this knowledge at hand, I observed each picture until I reached a photo of a child. His smile suggested that he is in a healthy and nurturing environment. Slowly, I began to remember the moment when this picture was taken. My peers and I created this healthy and nurturing environment that influenced the smile. However, if we were never there; during the moment when this picture was taken; I could not help but wonder if he would still be smiling. From a third person’s perspective, we can see a group of students, who obviously are not from South Africa, engaging with children from an impoverished township. For that split second in the child’s world; happiness, care, and to a certain extent, love was felt. Maybe it was the first time he felt these emotions simultaneously together? Maybe it might be his only chance to feel these emotions simultaneously? These questions are harder to answer because this group of students never came back the next day. Absorbed in this moment, the group of students never realized this notion. 

After leaving the school, I thought I made an influence on the students and the community. However, I failed to realize how long this impact might last. For the students, tomorrow would be another ordinary day. Moreover, for us, tomorrow would bring fresh opportunities and memories with new students. 

With this knowledge in mind, I made this honest reflection a part of me. In other words, it enhanced who I am and what I will become. As a teacher, leaving a child behind isn’t limited to physically leaving them. Leaving a child is giving-up on them and limiting and/or eliminating their ability to succeed. Additionally, we must be aware that the nurturing and positive atmosphere we create in our classroom can dissipate once the student leaves school. We must be aware of where they came from, who they are, and how we can foster development and growth. Throughout this trip, we encountered many areas where assistance was desperately needed. However, one township embedded a lasting image in my head. The township of Khayelitsha contains the most caring and friendly people. Their hospitality can be traced to their faith in God and enhanced in Ephesians 4:2 – “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” I know that God doesn’t judge where a group of His followers worship; nor, does He care about how grandiose is His place of worship. Yet, their passion for living the life God intended them to live – motivated by faith – should be justified with an abode that can accommodate their growth in faith and in numbers. Thus, if I had the opportunity, it would be an honor and pleasure to build a church for the township of Khayelitsha. This church would contain, but are not limited to, adequate AV equipment, musical instruments, and benches for worship. 

Additionally, I noticed that the church lacked the necessary amount of Bibles. I hope to donate enough Bibles, where all the church members can have easy access to them. How can they spread the word of God and the Gospel without a Bible? How can they worship and learn more about our Lord without a Bible? I hope that they will never ask these questions again. Although this was a service trip, there was a class involved. With a class, a grade must be entered that would portray the amount of time and effort one made. I can honestly say that the grade never mattered to me on this trip. My concerns were to learn more about myself, enhance who I will become, and expand my mind and eyes to a different environment. If these were written in a rubric, then I must admit that I achieved and exceeded all of them. Upon further reflection, I believe the sole purpose of this trip was to mold us into becoming a better and insightful educator. Therefore, for the reasons listed above, if I were to give myself a grade, I would give myself an INCOMPLETE, because, for me, there is more work to be done in South Africa. However, for the sake of my GPA, I would give myself an A.