I think goodbyes are one of my favorite things to write about. It’s not because I enjoy them. I think it has a lot to do with how goodbyes force me to evaluate my heart and see how The Lord has knit my heart together with others.
Our last day of ministry in Cambodia was kinda a blur. It really was. It didn’t leave me much time to think about the fact that I was saying goodbye or that I might not see these people that I had just served with for the month of September.
But over the past few days, I’ve seen just how much The Lord grew my love for that ministry and for the people of the villages we worked in.
I never knew if the kids were actually learning anything in the village that we taught English. And I never really knew if I was making an impact. But on our last day of ministry as we were getting ready to head back to Po Peyl, the kids in our English class swarmed us. And they gave giant hugs. I’m a huge physical touch person. So those hugs meant the world to me. And it made me not want to leave. But at the same time, the Spirit was working in my heart–continuing to beckon me down the path that He’s laid before my feet.
In all the goodbyes I said on Thursday, I was reminded that I have a great hope in Christ. For those who believe, I WILL see them again, whether on this earth or in heaven. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and we will celebrate at the feet of the Lamb together. And for those who do not know Christ, I have hope that the Spirit will continue the work that He has started in those villages. He is drawing people to Himself. And I can pray fervently for them and their salvation.
So. Goodbyes are never easy. I am reminded of that every day of my life. But they’re so good. They’re so good for my soul–to keep me grounded in Christ. Over these next 10 months, some goodbyes will be easier than others. But I hope and pray that The Lord will use each of them to point me to Him–that they will push me deeper to Him.
Every goodbye is the beginning of another adventure.
So. This is just the beginning of another adventure. We’re in Thailand–and there’s no telling what The Lord has in store for me here. But I’m going to pour myself out for Him. I’m going to invest into my team, my squad, and the ministry we’ll be working with.
It’s gonna be great. And I hope I’ll have some hard goodbyes at the end of this month.
