I just got home from a wonderful, 4 hour church service and ordination in the Africa Gospel Church. What a great day for AGC, WGM, and all those who pray and support these ministries! Both men love the Lord and are suited for their new titles as reverend! If I'm being completely honest though, I found myself very easily distracted during the service. In about 2.5 days Lino and Angelo step onto a plane to head to Canada for this school year. While I'm incredibly proud of these guys, I'm also very selfishly sad. As I've mentioned in previous posts, these two young men are very special to me. Lino is very much like a brother to me and it seems like we've been through a lot in the past 3 years.
I know these "good-byes" are not permanent, (in fact last night I warned them that if they don't keep up with me on skype and facebook they might just find me at their front door... it's only a 20 hour drive from Chicago) but that doesn't make them any easier. Living here with some of my Africa family missing has already started to pierce a hole in my heart and they haven't even left yet. Last night we had a going away party for the guys. We put together a slide show and then after it we all were asked to say a little something about the guys... either a memory or a word of encouragement. Everyone in the room took their turns laughing at memories and offering words of advice. Finally there were only 3 of us left: Jade, Shelah, and myself. I knew I was next, but I was NOT in the least excited about speaking. You all know that I don't mind speaking in front of groups, so it wasn't that I was scared... I just didn't know what to say. I fumbled my way through a little something about each of them, my prayers for them, and an "I love you", but it just didn't go well. I couldn't quite put to words or make people understand why these guys are so special to me. Then hearing Jade and Shelah talk about the guys, I couldn't hold it together anymore. Lino and Angelo hate when people cry and I know it made them uncomfortable, but what can you do?
Anyway, Wednesday morning at 6am I am joining the family and we are taking the guys to the airport. Shelah is flying with them to help them get settled in and start working on American visas for school holidays. They are going to be missed terribly and Wednesday morning (tuesday night around 11pm central time) is going to be a very rough morning for me and others. Would you all join me in praying for these boys, for their travel, adjustment, and souls? Pray for health and peace of mind. Pray that Godly men would just show up and mentor these boys. Pray for Godly friends and a church. Pray that they come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
I'm grateful for people here who are understanding of how tough this is going to be. Wednesday when I get home from the airport I won't have time to be too sad because I'm going to hang out with a good friend, chat, watch Boy Meets World, and make cookies. Pretty sweet, right? Thanks in advance for the prayers. I'll post some pics of the going away party and other things soon. Much love!
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