I don’t think we always know how much we love some place or
someone until we have to leave it behind. This was my experience with Vietnam
and the friendships I formed this month. I knew it was a special place for me
but I didn’t know how deeply this place and these people had settled into my
heart until it came time to say goodbye.
The days when my team worked away from the houses we were
painting or rested on our days off seemed so small and inconsequential in the
moment because I knew there was tomorrow. I knew I’d be back. I knew I still
had memories to make. But then, inevitably, the day came when it was time to
say goodbye and a part of me wanted those days back. I wanted more time.
As much as I wanted to tell the people who have become so
precious to me it’s not goodbye, just see you later, I don’t know if that’s
true. I don’t know if I’ll be back. As much as I’d love to visit, as much as
I’d love to say I’ll be back in July- just as soon as I finish the Race and my
brother gets married I don’t know if that’s true. But I do know I left a piece
of my heart in Da Nang.
Riding away from the city, my heart aches for my new friends
to know I love them more than the few Vietnamese phrases I know can express;
for them to know how much they’ve meant to me. My heart longs to be sure they
know they’ve found a friend in me. When the world seems to be against them, I’ll
cheer them on. I’ll pray big prayers for them. I’ll believe in their dreams.
I’ll remind them how special they are when they’re tempted to forget. I’ll keep
loving them.
My time in Da Nang has opened my heart to love more than I
thought possible. I know what it feels like to say I’d walk through fire for
these kids and really mean it. And the pain I feel in leaving is nothing
compared to joy I feel because of the time we spent together.
Coming on the race I wasn’t sure what lasting difference I
could make in just one month in each country. I believed the real impact would
be my own spiritual journey (which is true too!) but Vietnam has shown me that
God can work wonders in one day if He wants to, so one month is no problem.
One month is long enough to grow friendships you don’t want
to end. One month is long enough see real change. And one month is plenty long
enough for True Love to transform lives.
I never expected painting houses to be a ministry where I
would build cherished relationships. I never thought it would cause me such a
bittersweet goodbye. But there is something about physical restoration-bringing
out the beauty in a place that had once looked so rough around the edges- that
reflects so perfectly the way God loves us and wants to restore our lives to
reflect His glory. Experiencing this truth captures my heart in ways that
transcend a fresh coat of paint.
Even as I solemnly ride a bus out of Da Nang, it’s nearly
impossible for me not to bask in God’s glory revealed this month, not to
express utter thankfulness for the opportunity to serve there and not to keep
loving the people who made Da Nang so special. And while I can’t stay and I
don’t know if I’ll be back, I will carry all Vietnam taught me close to my
heart as I move toward a new month, a new ministry and the next part of my
journey-South Africa.
