"No, it doesn't," Matt and I both said as we shook heads and chuckled.
It was heartbreaking when we said good-bye to our first pair of interns years ago in Costa Rica. Initially, we were shocked at how quickly we became family, even in a matter of months.
Now, nine classes later, it is increasingly hard to say good-bye to the young adults who come into our lives and stay for nine months and then travel on to the next part of their journey.
But this is what we do. This is the life we are called to. This is the life we are blessed to live.
Call or no call, it never gets easier.
Last night, we sat around the family area in our home with the five interns who have served their field time in Guatemala these last six months. One of them said, "I wish this moment right here would never end."
Alas, at three am this morning, they piled all of their luggage and themselves into the van and departed for the airport for the next part of their journey. They should be arriving in Montana soon, if they have not already. They will be reunited with the other six members of their class. They will begin their next phase of the Ignite program which is three weeks of re-entry. They will have the opportunity to 'unpack' their spiritual suitcases and lay out before them all the lessons the Lord has taught them over their time on the field. They are able to reconnect as a class. They will be poured into by the PFM staff in Montana who have faithfully prayed for all of them these last six months. they will also be able to share about all they saw and experienced and look at all these things through the light of God's word in order to determine what needs to be packed up with them and taken along to the next phase of their journey and what can be left behind. It is such a blessed time for them and we rejoice!
In order for this phase of their journey to being, the previous one had to end. And thus, that moment in our living area of our home ended. The morning came, tears were shed, hugs were given, notes were passed back and forth, and we said our last good-byes. And their journey continues.
And so does ours. Even as we remain in Guatemala, our journey continues. Because, really, we are all on a journey. We are all sojourners, none of us really at home in this world. So then, this life we as a family live - the one full of good-byes - must not really be far from what it's really supposed to be like, if you really think about it.
This afternoon, I got a message from one of the five who just completed their nine-month field time. She had just entered United States soil for the first time in six months.
"People are mean here. I miss you. I wanna come home."
Home. That's the thing- none of us are really home this side of eternity. And all of these good-byes really only point us to that day when we will be in the presence of our Lord and there will be no more good-byes. One day soon, He will wipe away every tear and we will no longer feel the ripping and tearing of having loved deep and then having to say good-bye.
One week from today, we will receive the next class of interns who are currently visiting with family and friends in the United States after having just completed their three months of training here in Guatemala. They have about ten days home and then they fly off to the countries where they will be serving for their six month field time.
So as hard as it was to say good-bye this morning, blessing comes in a week as we will have the privilege to welcome the new team to their new home. And we truly are blessed! We live a life full of a constant flow in and also out of young adults sold out to serve Jesus in tangible, every day ministry opportunities, for at least a year of their lives. Our children are incredibly blessed to live with these young people. As hard as it for them to say good-bye, the gift of this life is one we will forever be grateful and thankful for. Our oldest daughter, Isabelle was up later than Matt and I last night, writing letters to the five that were leaving this morning. She told me this morning she used a flashlight to write each one of them because 'she felt like she just needed to tell them each a few things.'
Today, those of us left on the property have all felt their absence. It is quiet. There are too many empty rooms.
Yet, we have hope. We are joyful because our joy is not found in our circumstances nor in the people around us...but in Christ.
"And not only that, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5
We might feel the sadness and pain of the separation from ones we love, but we trust the Lord that this present suffering produces in us perseverance and therefore is forming in us more of the character of God himself and therefore building our hope. And the hope we have in Christ does not fail or disappoint.
To those of who who faithfully support our family- we thank you. While our life might look very different than yours and might not even make much sense...know that we are blessed, we are content, and we thank the Lord for His mighty hand upon our lives. Whether easy or whether difficult, we give thanks that He gives us the opportunity to serve Him among the nations 'Til the Whole World Hears!
