Goodbyes -- Bittersweet

This morning I woke up at 6am (which is very early for me... I'm not a morning person) to say goodbye to the Spring Discipleship Training School(DTS). Since I've been here for 9 months we have seen 3 different DTS' go through but this one was the one that I have gotten to spend the most time with. These students were amazing! There were three girls in particular that I really got to know and became good friends with. It was amazing to be able to speak into their lives but I think that I benefited more from what they spoke into my life. They really helped encourage me and push me through this last quarter of SBS.

We said goodbye to them this morning because they are headed for outreach to India and the Ukraine. The last time I said goodbye to people close to me was when I left home to come here, but I knew that I would be back home in nine months. This goodbye was different. I had made these amazing friends and had to say goodbye knowing that I may never see them again (praying that I will) However, I couldn't help but to praise God in the midst of the sadness, thanking Him for bringing us together in the first place.
My heart really does hurt to leave such incredible God-fearing people. They have loved me and I have loved them so much! I began to realize that this same thing is about to happen in 3 weeks when I have to say goodbye to my SBS Class. It's bittersweet because I know that by saying goodbye I am releasing them to go and preach the gospel all over the world, yet I am sacrificing a friend. In my SBS class we have people preparing to go onto ministry in India, South Africa, Mozambique, Australia, Canada... I could go on. It's been incredible to see how God has blessed these relationships and I know that I will cross paths with many of them again, if not we will always stay in contact. These are sisters and brothers that will always be in my heart and prayers.

Please pray that I will not shrink into myself and keep from pouring into relationships out of a fear of having to say goodbye. I don't want to ever keep from investing in people's lives just because I know that I will have to say goodbye eventually. I have come to realize that I would rather invest in relationships and share a deep love with my brothers and sisters and have a heart breaking goodbye, than to never know them at all.

This is the life of a missionary, always serving, always trusting, always changing, always moving, always saying goodbye. It really is a beautiful life... but that doesn't mean it's not going to be hard. I think sometimes the struggles are the most beautiful part.

I love you all so much. You really don't know the amount of compassion that God has put on my heart for every single one of you.