As we prepare to leave this place- Camminul Felix in Oradea Romania- I find my heart is heavy. You see I had prepared myself for this trip physically- I had almost everything I need for a year in an oversized knapsack. I have a team back home helping me financially (Big thank you to Kristin, Terry, Wayne, Jodi, and all the rest of you fine folks). I even downloaded a nifty little app on my iPod that would allow me to help me read through the Bible while I’m gone. One thing I didn’t prepare myself for is the way I would have to say goodbye. Here one day and gone the next. I also didn’t prepare myself for the way I would feel about the people I would grow to know and love. It seemed as if it happened overnight. Literally strangers and over a month we have forged a bond that won’t soon be forgotten.
Niccu and Tao were some of the guys I connected with while here. Both have very unique ties to this place. Tao grew up here as part of one of the families that live here and Niccu married the daughter of one of the house parents who was our contact this month. Both have growing families- we had the opportunity to share in Tao’s daughters first birthday and Niccu and his wife just had their first child. Two guys who came from two different worlds crossed my path this month and I must admit- I have left part of my heart here in Oradea. If its like this all the way through…. MAN WHAT A TOLL that’s gonna take on me. Because I have learned that its tough to say goodbye and I am no good at it.
