It’s strange and weird to think of going, of moving on, and in many ways it has overshadowed a lot of life at the moment. We’re just about to hit two years here, our original commitment. (Especially apparent as our permission to stay papers expire in 4 days!) I hesitate as I write these words as I find it hard to express what it feels like, this facing of what is inevitable, like we’ve been drifting down a wonderful river for a while, but things are speeding up, the current is getting rougher, and there’s an soft rushing sound that is oh very faint right now, but gets louder and louder every day.
We planned on staying two years, but are here in Vicenza until this December to make it a whole year. Two years seems like plenty of time, of course, when you are at the beginning. Yet, when you try to live a life, make friends, let them come to see Christ in you, those years go by so quickly! Next time we come, we’re moving for good I think!
The team is slowly unravelling: Going back to where we came from, picking up lives left on hold, seeking the next chapter/phase/adventure, returning to the familiar, wondering what to do next, facing another unknown. Even the program itself is in a way ending, or going through a metamorphosis I could say. All good changes, necessary for the sake of being able to continue, and more effective in using its workers, but sad in a way. Teaching English is out, sending out workers throughout Italy is in.
Maybe I shouldn’t write what I am about to as it could never replace a proper goodbye, but I guess we’ll have to make do, since life has other plans:
Here’s to you, team members, friends. It’s been a good time, and I think that in all the ups and downs we can say it was worth it, that God has worked through us, though not necessarily in the way we naively assumed he would at the beginning. He is much more cunning and subtle and wiser than any of us could have imagined!
God, you caught each one of us by surprise! We were so confident, a bit prideful of what we were going to accomplish, but you have shown us your true power, your true love for those who seek you, and have invited us be witnesses to that effect. I only wish this longing for those we have missed for so long and those we are about to leave wasn’t so strong so painful, but I guess that is what love is…
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