Dear Friends,
Applications for the Serve to Learn Jan 21 – Feb 11 trip are due Oct 15. So if you’re thinking about applying, do it soon, because time is running out fast! For those of you who don’t know what Serve to Learn is, allow me to explain it to you. It’s really quite simple. Serve to Learn is a three-week service trip for youth from all over the world to teach kids in Upper Egyptian villages through a variety of fun games and activities. See? It’s super simple, just apply, volunteer, and let the kids’ love and faith change you forever.
Speaking of simplicity, this “A picture is worth 1,000 words” blog post by 2016 Serve to Learn Monika Toma from Austria shows you exactly how beautiful the simplicity of the children can be. And how much we have to learn from their pure and simple love for Jesus.
— Nermien
Who’s in this photo?
Two elementary school boys from Mallawi, Egypt.
Where was it taken?
In my classroom.
What’s happening in the photo?
They were both drawing a picture of Jesus during playtime. Both were really focused and trying so hard to get it perfect.
How did you feel when it was taken?
I felt sooo proud and happy because those two used to always want to go out and play football [soccer] outside. Every time we asked what they wanted to do, most of them shouted “Nel3ab koora!” (“We want to play soccer!”). Then towards the end of the second week, these two boys came to me and asked if they could draw a picture of Jesus instead of going outside. My heart was just so full of joy at this sight.
Why do you want to remember this moment?
So that I remind myself of how much more those children teach us than we teach them. Their love for Jesus is just so pure and admirable.
If you could help people understand one thing with this photo, what would it be?
You don’t need a lot to make those kids happy. Jesus makes them happy.
—
Interested in learning more about Serve to Learn? Check out our page and our video, which gives a snapshot of the program!
If this “a picture is worth a 1,000 words” blog makes you want to read other Serve to Learn stories, here are Pheobe Azer‘s and Ryan Wasson‘s. If that’s not enough, you can read Serve to Learn interviews with Toni, John, Gaby, Mina, Andy, Veronika, David, Ben, Kirollos, Mariam, Alex, and Mirelle. You may also enjoy these video interviews with Nadine Roffaell, Peter Wassef and Mary Loka. Any questions you’d like to ask a real human being? Call or email us at 703-641-8910 or at info@copticorphans.org