When a person thinks of Nashville, Tennessee they may think of country music, cowboy boots, or music row. When I think of Nashville, Tennessee I think of J’Twan; a five year old boy that taught me love; not the type of love that is romantic, or a silly love for something like pizza. J’Twan taught me the kind of love that is unconditional and without limits.
The summer after my seventh grade year I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Nashville, Tennessee. I had always had an outgoing personality and loved adventures; what could be more of an adventure than going to another state and doing God’s work? I was excited to say the least, but I had no idea what I was signing up for. When my youth group arrived at the camp we were assigned to different groups. My group was “children” I wasn’t sure what that was going to entail, but I knew that I loved kids and I was hopeful.
Turns out the “children” group was a group of ten people that went to a playground in a low-income part of Nashville. It was our job to play with the kids and to teach them about God if we got the chance. The group leader told my group that our main goal was to love the children, to give them as much love as we could in seven days. Upon getting out of the van I was met by a little boy named J’Twan. J’Twan was five and he loved to run around and play; he was the epitome of joy. J’Twan radiated a type of happiness that I had never seen before. He was truly a happy child. I assumed that J’Twan must have been one of the lucky kids that had a fairly decent home life. How else could he be such a joy to be around? I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Something happened on the third day of the mission trip and it changed my perspective completely. J’Twan and I were walking to get a drink one day after a few hours of playing when he reached for my hand and called me “mom”. I looked down at him and he met my gaze with his big, hopeful brown eyes. “I’m not your mom J’Twan, I’m your friend, you know that!” I replied. His eyes dropped and he muttered, “Well I see you more than my mom, and you’re nicer to me.” In that moment my heart broke; this child that brought me so much joy was obviously neglected. I took this as an opportunity to share God’s love with him. I told J’Twan about how God would always be with him no matter what, and how God’s love is unconditional. Even though J’Twan was only five years old he listened and understood what I was telling him. He asked questions and was delighted when I gave him a response.
For the next two days I spent as much time with J’Twan as I could, emphasizing God’s love constantly. I tried to teach him everything about the bible that I could. We talked about the story of Jonah and God’s will. We talked about the story of Daniel and trusting God. We played, talked, and bonded. Unfortunately, the last day came quickly; J’Twan stayed at my side the whole day. When the time to leave came, J’Twan produced a handwritten note from his pocket. The note was covered in hearts and it was addressed to me “I love you Emma, you is the best.” I read the note and read it again; I looked down at J’Twan and did my best not to cry. Despite my best efforts hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I hugged J’Twan. I hated leaving him knowing that he wouldn’t receive the same love and kindness that I had given him. My heart broke as I loaded up in the van and waved goodbye to the little boy that changed my life.
I met J’Twan almost five years ago, but I still think of him regularly. He influenced my life in the most positive way possible. He showed me that things aren’t always as they seem. He taught me how to stay joyus even when a situation is anything but. J’Twan taught me to love people immediately, and to keep loving them with an open heart. I have had no bigger blessing than getting to spend one week with J’Twan.