Signing up for the race I told my mobilizer one aspect I was fearful about was the leaving. I am not good at goodbyes. My team recently voted me for most likely to cry when we leave ministry hosts. To be honest I agree because there has only been two months on the race I have not cried but this last month was so much different.
In the valleys of Lesotho lays a preschool, a church, a home and rooms full of mattresses as people come to visit and serve at Africa 4 Jesus. Every morning around 7am a mother walks inside the kitchen with her little girl tied up with a blanket on her back.
She has a school uniform on and is waiting for her bowl of porridge so she can eat then run over to the preschool. After school you can usually find her running around the base, stealing everyones attention and finding anything to play with.
When you point at her she will point back to you with a scowl. She will pretend to eat your food but always shares hers. If she has to go to the bathroom she is most likely to squat right where she is. On Sunday she’s usually in the aisles at church or if you are lucky you might get some cuddles while her mother is on stage singing her heart out to the Lord.
Throughout the month I was able to play with her, laugh with her, hold her, and build a relationship with her and her mother. Her mother would say we were best friends and I felt like the aunt I have not been able to be to my nieces for the last 7 months.
The night before I had to say goodbye to her I laid in my bed nauseated talking to the Lord.
“God why did I sign up for this? I am so sick of saying good bye to people I love. “
It was the first time on the race where I felt like I could not say goodbye. The next morning before she arrived the tears came as I was explaining the day to my team. In the afternoon after church we played in the sand, we ate and I was able to get those cuddles I mentioned before. As she left, I had to walk the other way because I knew I’d want to follow her.
This little girls name is Kuna.
We liked to say “Hakuna Matata”
You already know what it means and when I was with her there were literally no worries other than protecting her and loving her well.
A quote I read at the end of every month is:
“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”
Goodbyes are hard. They tug at your heart and drain you. In all honesty though it is so worth it. If I would not have said goodbye in Romania, I would not have been able to fall in love with Greece. If I would not have said goodbye in Myanmar I would not have been able to meet Kuna. This is the World Race.
Update: I am currently in Pretoria, South Africa. My parents come in 10 days!!!
If you feel like tithing my squad leader is in need of 5,000 dollars by March 31st. Check out his blog and donate by clicking the orange button.
davantejones.theworldrace.org
I feel you!!! My eyes leak just thinking about goodbyes!! God is always good and will protect your love for them! Each place and its people will be forever etched on your heart…most often with fond memories but occasionally there is that difficult memory. But difficult brings beauty and one good bye leads to another new friend waiting to hear your name!!
Brit . . . I don’t read many blogs (OK – ANY blogs!), but I have kept up with your posts and have been inspired each time! Your stories and insights remind us all about what is important in life and how important it is to never take for granted the blessings and advantages in our own lives. Just know that when you say your last (and probably most difficult) goodbye of your Race there will many people here who will be ready to welcome you back and help you on the next journey. Have a great time with your parents . . . can’t wait to hear more about your year when you get home!