Foot Prints

~ Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others leave foot prints on our hearts and we are never ever the same~

This week has been an emotional roller coaster. As many of you know, i have been working as a Cultural Ambasador for the CSI refugee center. I took on this project as an honors requirement. However, little did i know that it would change my life forever. The first week of september i drove over to Honey Locust apartments to meet my family. All i knew about them was that they were refugees from Burhma there were five of them, and that they didn't know any english. Our first meeting was brief, a tad akward but i left with the promise of coming the next tuesday at 6. After that i only missed 2 tuesdays the whole semester. I went every week, at the same time on the same day. After a while the akwardness wore off, a new comfort zone was created, and we learned from eachother. We played games, went to Winco, toured Twin falls, saw the christmas lights, and taught eachother different words in our own languages.



It wasn't long before i was hooked. I couldn't go a week with out seeing them. and if for some odd reason i did, i knew something was missing from my life. over time their english progressed. we became to know eachother on a very close level. and i fell in love with them. many times Shane came with me, and i know he enjoyed very much also being a part of their life.



as i write this i really don't think there is any way that i can truly express how i feel about them. i think that's one of the most frusterating parts about all this...no one will understand. the Prey Ray family has engraved foot prints on my heart and i will never be the same. i'll never be able to walk into winco with out thinking of them, or pass robins street with out chuckling a little as i think of our amazing memories together.
What started as a simple honors program project turned into one of the most rewarding experiences you could ever gain in college. It became second nature to love them, to laugh with them, and to understand them.
This last tuesday i went over, excited for a new semester of working with them. and already new ideas of what we could do the next few months. however after a few minutes of being there i was bombarded with the news that the family was moving. To colorado. Prey (father) had been there already and was working and saving money to bring his family out with him. well i thought i had a few more months with them, never did i imagine that i was spending my last tuesday in their precious living room. Trying to stay composed i asked for as many details as possible knowing that i couldn't just send them away with out knowing they would be going somewhere safe.

Today at noon i took them to the Grey hound bus station. it took me an hour and half to get them settled, and propperly waiting for the bus. i missed two classes but it was worth it. with hugs and "i love you's", a note with my number, and 20 bucks in Sey's hand i pulled away with tearfilled eyes.

I don't know if i will ever see them again in this life. But i must trust that they are in God's hands now. and they are better hands than mine. and if i don't see them in this life, i know we will be re-united in the life to come. They truley are angels. and i pray for their safe reunion with their daddy.

God Be with you Pray Ray Family. You have left footprints on my heart.

Emily