I’m currently sitting at our gate in the Sofia, Bulgaria airport waiting on the first of many travel legs to begin our journey to Zimbabwe, and it’s incredibly bittersweet. I absolutely love Europe. Pieces of my heart will forever be scattered across this diversely beautiful continent. So, as I process the fact that this is truly the end and in a matter of hours our lives will go through yet another major transition, I figured I would simply let you, my dear supporters, in on the thoughts running through my head and heart.
Here are just some of the reasons why leaving is so hard…
Goodbye familiar food.
– RIP milk, cheese, and fresh fruits and veggies.
Goodbye air conditioning.
– You sweet blessing from Jesus himself.
Goodbye real beds.
– My sleeping pad is great, but it sure has been nice to not sleep on the floor.
Goodbye actual kitchen.
– I wept real tears when I finally had a range, an oven, AND cookware to cook for my team.
Goodbye washing machine.
– It was amazing to actually have clean clothes for a few months.
Goodbye real showers with hot water.
– You and air conditioning are great buddies, thanks for letting me feel really clean without sweating as soon as I turn the water off.
Goodbye reliable, clean public transport.
– I’ll never forget the fond memories of stepping onto city busses that weren’t disintegrating as we drove down the road.
Goodbye odds of most people speaking at least some English.
– Gone are the days of not having to look far for a fellow English speaker.
Goodbye months of consistently feeling underdressed.
– Sorry I didn’t pack my sundresses and stilettos, or wake up early to put makeup on every morning. Thanks for accepting me even when I look like a bum.
Goodbye bipolar taxi drivers.
– You will forever be unpredictable.
Goodbye European hospitality.
– The kind where you can simply ask for whatever you need and they will bend over backwards to provide, but also understand that you’re a group of smart, strong, independent women.
Goodbye never ending views of the Balkan mountain ranges.
– Thanks for always reminding me of the power and majesty of God every time I look up.
Goodbye people of Europe.
You have changed my life and helped heal my heart. Thanks for giving me a taste of home while simultaneously pushing me far out of my comfort zone.
Goodbye Albania.
Goodbye Montenegro.
Goodbye Macedonia.
Goodbye Greece.
Goodbye Kosova.
Goodbye Bulgaria.
Goodbye Balkans.
– Pieces of my heart will forever be with you, taking in your sites with awe, and plusing through beloved friends I have to leave behind. This is definitely the toughest departure yet. My heart can only bear a “see you next time.”
I’m boarding this flight with a reluctant spirit, a grateful heart, and an awestruck mind. I’m thankful for a long travel day to Zimbabwe to unpack and process this time with the Lord, and to look forward in anticipation for what lies ahead in our final months of the race in Southern Africa.
