Now that it is August 13th, almost two months have passed since I have returned to the States. In many ways, I can relate to the feelings of a friend (also transitioning from BFA to America) who recently shared that her heart is still trying to catch up with the adjustment. It's certainly hard on a girl's heart to leave a community, a church, and a family behind in a foreign country. It's also hard to immediately return to another community, church, and family in her home country where people and places aren't as familiar as they used to be. To be honest, I don't think we are made for goodbyes. I don't think we are made for the ending of relationships. Maybe that is why my heart is still playing catch up? I am still grieving the loss of community and relationships that I had at BFA. The people that I worked with became my family. The children that I served became like my own. How do you deal with that? ...
During the last week of school, our dorm had a special evening celebration to thank the dorm parents for their service to Liel and provide the girls with one last opportunity to sign year books and say goodbye. The dorm had one staff member leaving and not returning the next year (me) as well as four students not returning for the fall semester of 2012 at BFA (Ji Soo, Laura, Seth, and Talya). The evening was made so much sweeter when Talya and Lynnea surprised us with a song they had written for the dorm. As Talya strummed her guitar and as both of their beautiful voices joined together, the following lyrics challenged and encouraged my heart, "I won't say goodbye, I won't say farewell...because I'll see you again, friend. I'll see you again. I'll see you again." I was encouraged by these girls because they got it--they knew they weren't made for goodbyes and farewells. They were made for lasting relationships and eternal community. Regardless of when they might see one another again on earth (which is more unlikely simply because of the great diversity of countries and regions where their parents live and serve), they rejoiced in the eternal reality of heaven.
The eternal implications of faith for believers is undeniable--heaven is for real. Jesus died and covered our sin so that we could return to the place that we were created for--heaven. Heaven--a place where we will have constant and complete fellowship with the Trinity and the church. Heaven--a place where no distance will separate believers. Heaven--a place where time no longer has power to constrict us because it doesn't exist. That reality gives me joy! And that reality actually gives me hope for my struggle today...
I don't have to "move on," cut myself off from, or forget about BFA. The reality is that I can remember BFA and be joyful about these students and staff that I will see again...maybe on earth, but in heaven for sure...because of what Jesus has done and secured for us. Spiritual families are forever--they are indeed, eternal.
Thank you, Jesus, for being near to all those who are hurting because of a loss of community or friendship. Thank you for the reality of heaven. We are so grateful that our separation from You and the rest of the church is only temporary. Amen.
The people in the following pictures are those that the Lord graciously and lovingly gave me to serve and walk with during my time at BFA. When I saw them for the last time in Germany, I left them with these words, "I'll see you again, friend." :)
A few of the Liel Ladies or "my little sisters"--Me with Erin, Talya, Priscilla, Ji Soo, & Michal
This was our last picture together after taking a hike up to Hochblauen
Michelle--a dear friend, traveling buddy, and fellow RA
Corey & Lauren H-dear friends, traveling buddies, and fellow RAs
Laurel & Anna--dear friends, administrative/teaching staff at BFA, mentors
Anne (Christian, Max, & Lilli not pictured)--my German family in Cologne and dear friends
A reminder to be joyful because of Jesus and two beautiful years at Black Forest Academy.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. THE LORD IS NEAR. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7 (an excerpt from the "mental health" book of the Bible :))
*"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be JOYFUL in GOD MY SAVIOR. The SOVEREIGN LORD IS MY STRENGTH; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on to the heights." Habbakuk 3:17-19
*This particular passage is a challenging reminder to remember our Savior, even when we have nothing, even in those inevitable wilderness and desert seasons of our life. Because our salvation is secure, the joy that accompanies the knowledge of our salvation and Savior ought not to be shaken by our present circumstances. It is beautiful to see the writer here flee to God in his moment of distress, maintain his spiritual composure under the darkest of circumstances, and delight himself with a sacred joy in God and have cheerful expectations of Him--this is a glorious faith! (Streams in the Desert, August 11)
