I honestly didn’t think that today would be that “big of a deal.” Today was our last full day at the Daughters of Cambodia center where I have spent the mornings training the social workers in the Hands that Heal curriculum. We are planning to return to the center and the café on Monday afternoon to say good-bye but today was the last time that we would be here on a Friday for chapel. I wasn’t expecting them to really remember that fact and then have a time to pray for us and send us on our way to Thailand.
I’m not really fond of good-byes and long, drawn-out farewells are my least favorite. Even now I can feel a sense of sadness and loss in my heart as I prepare to say good-bye to the 8 people that have been a part of every day here at Daughters. This morning I did my final “training” with the four social workers and at the end we took pictures and were just silly. I have become so comfortable with them and we have developed a friendship. Will I ever see them again? I do not know.
The other four significant people in my day are the four delightful ladies that I have been baking and cooking with over at the Sugar and Spice café that Daughters of Cambodia has in an area where there are more tourists. We have been working on new recipes for them to learn and to add to the menu. Even though the first day was a bit awkward we quickly developed an affection for one another. Each one has their own personality and quickly won a piece of my heart. I’m very grateful for the permission that was given to take a picture so that I can frame it and “see” them frequently.
Even though I am anxiously anticipating moving onto Thailand I can’t say that I’m exactly ready to say “see you later!” to Cambodia. This month has flown by much more quickly than I expected. It feels like we are just at a point of trust and confidence and comfortableness with the men and women and the ministry. Not only do I feel like I will be grieving the loss of the physical presence of people and daily interaction with them but also the unknown of what a few more days, a few more weeks or a few more months would have brought.
