While traveling on this journey, I knew we would go to places, get to know people, stay a few weeks, say goodbye, and head to the next place to do it all over again. What I didn’t factor into this equation at all were the many people that we would meet that we might not ever see again. I mean, I knew it in my head, but I didn’t KNOW it.
I’ve gotten attached to quite a few people along the way and made lots of friends that I hope I’ll see again some day. But one of the hardest goodbyes for me so far was to my first team – 1010 Fierce.
So, every so often while on the World Race, we get reorganized and put into new teams. I knew this going in, but I didn’t think about it too much and I grew to love my 1010ers fiercely. So when the time came to have our last team time together, we were all crying our eyes out.
This goodbye was a hard one, yes. But it’s also a sort of easier one because really, I get to see these girls every so often for the next 6 months! AND I get to have a new team and I can grow to love them just as much. Change can be good!
Hellos are sometimes just as difficult. Going to a new country is exciting but it isn’t always easy or comfortable. New languages, unfamiliar streets, strange names, different surroundings, new ministry and hosts, foreign currency, everything to get used to. And this month in Zambia, we threw in new teams as well.
To be honest, I wasn’t excited at all at first. But I’ve come to really enjoy my new team – Parresia. This group of ladies know how to laugh and sing and dance and have fun. I’ve only been with them officially for about 3 weeks, but we’ve gotten to know each other a bit and I appreciate each of them so much.
Yes, goodbyes may be hard but they’re worth it! And the hellos are difficult at times as well, but they’re just as worth it!!
