one: left
December 1, 2008
You know that revolving door I’m always talking about? It’s going around again this morning as we say goodbye to our interns (who’ve been with us since January). One is staying behind for a few extra weeks but the rest are boarding a plane this evening and flying home.
After our week of debriefing together, I’m confident that this year in Africa changed each of them. And after watching them engage in ministry for a year, I’m also confident that they changed Africa. They’ve each left their mark, their footprint. And Africa will never be the same.
Neither will I.
AHH! I’m so NOT ready to say goodbye yet!!!
I am thanking God for them (with you) today.
@ventigrace says:
I’m so glad that I’m here with you for this season of goodbyes…
@moweezle says:
aweeee, they were such a great group! I’m sure you’re gonna miss them terribly!
jodes — me neither.
applepie — mmmm… thanks.
maymers — you have no idea how glad i am for that very same thing.
mo — they WERE a great group. and i miss them already!
@cassgirl says:
left a footprint….
also alot of heartprints …mmmm
Safe journey’s … prayin
They are so awesome! Each and every one of them!!! Praying for you ALL!!
alex — thanks a lot!
heidi — heartprints is right.
@danielleH says:
i love your heart, friend.
wow. thank you…
oh man. I woke up this morning and realized that they were on a plane. my heart was excited. and yet it felt sad at the same time. definitely a bittersweet kind of day.
alece, this for you today:
http://brilliantlyredeemed.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/for-alece/
praying for you.
oh…and this was for the interns:
http://brilliantlyredeemed.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/dear-friend/
@atangie says:
Since I have no words I will borrow some from Winnie the Pooh:
Oh bother.
thanks for noticing me…
It is easy to see the love in all those smiling faces. Just think of all the love you have helped nurture. All the love they will bring to the world.
How long until you get to start lovin on a new set? Have you restocked on the cushioning for your heart?
I am smiling as I think of you! Strong and Soft all at once. Bless You My Friend!!
off topic here, I keep forgetting to tell you something!
My sister Joy just came back from mexico after being there for 6 months, this is the sister who stayed with us when Con was born and took good care of him and me too for two weeks. I told you before that we thought they would always have a special bond because of this. Well I was not holding my breath that he would even remember her after 6 months, he was just over a year when he saw her last. He is a little leery of new people, friendly but shy. I told him we were going to pick up Auntie Joy from the airport, I was standing next to him and she walked up, even before we hugged he was grinning from ear to ear and squealing with excitement!! I would have guessed that it was the long lost love of his life!! It was too cute!! On the ride home he kept smiling and flirting with her, I stopped to get some food and when I got out of the car (at which point he crys if he is left in there with Dan or someone else) he played with her the whole time I was in the store! He even took a nap with her one day, something he NEVER does with me! So all this to say that you and your little Peaberry, will always have a special bond no matter the time that passes or the distance between you two.
I love what you’re doing. Nothing like enriching people’s hearts. :)
theresa – the next bunch arrives jan. 18 (i think!). and no way is my heart ready for that yet!
faith – your comment made me smile really big. i’m so glad that con reconnected with joy so quickly and so deeply. i pray i always have that with siloh and peaberry…
i’m home… and it doesn’t feel quite right… can’t wait to be back.
when i read the title i was trying to imagine which one of the interns had stayed behind! :-) – Duhhh.
i get it now!
<B
@tamhodge says:
i hate goodbye’s.
i have a feeling YOU left quite an imprint on them too ;)
marc — you’re discovering what it feels like to have two homes.
bub — one of them DID stay behind. crystal stayed on an extra two weeks to help my friend amy with her kids…
tam — i hate goodbyes, too. oh. so. much.
Goodbyes are always difficult. I love reading your bog because it reminds me of all of the ways you and others in ministry sacrifice bits of yourself, even in the less-than-obvious ways. I’ll say a prayer for you during this transition time. After moving over 20 times in a lifetime, I know how much it takes to open yourself up – yet again – to share your life with people whom you will only know for a short time. But it IS worth it!
tm– thanks for the prayers. and your statement about sacrificing bits of myself has been marinating in my mind ever since i read it…
Home is where your heart is….I am not sure if my heart caught the plane…
I love Kaylen’s and Shannon’s face in the first picture!
mipps — “i am not sure if my heart caught the plane” — mmm… i love that.