It’s hard for me to accept that it’s been
nearly two years since I met this crew who has become like family. We’ve had
lots of highs and lows and scary situations and celebrations together. I’ve
gotten annoyed at their questions (mostly about finances) and gotten teary witnessing
how they are growing personally. It won’t be easy to say goodbye to this group
of dear brothers and sisters, knowing that it’s very unlikely we’ll all come
from our corners of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, the US and Canada to be together
again on this earth.
I’m realizing that I need to mourn the loss
of these relationships just like our Seeders do. At the same time, I’m the one
organizing and facilitating the debriefing. I find that family is actually a
pretty good analogy, that I’m sending my chicks out on their own, trusting that
they’ve learned what we’ve been trying to teach them. I will feel like an empty
nester when I come back to Bukavu without them. But I’m also REALLY looking
forward to the relief of not being responsible for anyone but myself!
Part of this approaching culmination is
very sentimental, and part of it is very practical. I have been SO BUSY! (Okay,
not as busy as the beginning of the program, but still!) We’ve got lots of
final reports and visits and a partner gathering and a final retreat and
logistics of selling household goods and airline tickets and finances of
course. January has been pretty much full-speed for me.
At the same time, Mark and I continue to
communicate with various organizations with whom we may potentially stay in
Congo as missionaries working with our local church. So that adds to the
busyness. At the turn of the New Year, it’s been good to look back on how far
we’ve come and to dream about what this coming year may hold. We’re very thankful
to know with confidence that it means seeing dear friends and family at home
for good part of it!
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| Sending two of our Seeders off in prayer at our church |
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| Sweet people! And good-looking, too! ;) |
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| I will miss the relationships I've built with the Seeders! |
We are so proud of you and all the Seeders! I am getting a little teary eyed, too. I am glad that you are taking some time to grieve, too and process this incredible, adventurous time!! love, Annie
ReplyDeleteYou are often in my thoughts and prayers. I’ve mentioned your ministry several times on my JustFaith group. The Dr Congo is blessed to have such dedicated ministers. God bless your future endeavors. Love you.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers as you grieve, process, and give thanks! -sylvia
ReplyDelete