"So Long, Farewell..."

They tell me the hardest thing about this job is having to say goodbye so many times.  People flow in and out of here frequently.  Volunteers come in and become a part of your life.  They fall in love with the people you know and work with and then they are gone.  It hurts when they go.  

However they are usually only here a short time.  Some stay for weeks some stay for months.  Tonight I’ll watch another friend leave.  She isn’t a volunteer and she hasn’t been here a couple months.  Steph has spent almost two years of her life here and it isn’t hard to see she has fallen in love.  It is a struggle for her to leave and a struggle for us to see her go.  

We met just over two years ago.  I was headed here for the summer and she was looking to spend two years in Africa.  She wasn’t sure where and we only knew each other through mutual friends.  I put a two week team together and our friends connected us.  She joined the team and spent two weeks here touching lives as hers too was changed.  Nearly two years ago she returned and her impact on this world is evident.  

I have never seen a person so committed to living her life completely for the people she is called to reach.  She pours out all that she has and then some.  She is an example to all followers of living ones life solely committed to the purpose we are called to.  She is passionate about following the master and committed to pursuing his call.  

Now she is headed home.  For a time she will rest and spend time with loved ones.  Then without fail she will be gone again.  I don’t know where the call will lead her but I know the call will come and I know that she will follow.  I can’t wait to hear the stories.

I’ll miss her soon after we drop her at the airport tonight.  I’ll miss her smile.  I’ll miss her patience.  I’ll miss her commitment.  I’ll miss her never failing perseverance.  I pray before hand for those she will meet on the journey ahead.  I pray they are prepared because wherever she goes the truth goes with her.  It is impossible to come into her presence and not recognize you have just collided with the master reincarnate.  

He awaits the day he will greet her with a, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”