A Weekend of Good-Byes...

This was a strange weekend as we have begun to say good-bye to several important people, both here and at home. First my landlords threw a surprise party for my roommate Jen, who will be leaving next week. She has decided to go career with ABWE Czech and will go home for a year, hopefully no longer, to raise support and then will return here full-time. She will focus on English, MK education, women's ministry, and church planting. Jen has been here in Czech for two years and has not been back to the States since she first arrived in 2006. She has been an amazing friend and missionary during this time and I know so many people are sad to see her go. But the Lord is bringing her back in His perfect timing. I know I will miss her greatly as I don't know when i will see her again - until one day when we are in Heaven together. She has been instrumental in helping me adjust to life here and showing me everything I needed to know from grocery shopping to riding the bus to simple language. Most importantly she has been a friend who I can talk with, pray with, and laugh with. Jen has an amazing heart and a selfless giving spirit that I know God will use in so many unique ways here. The party Saturday night was a true testimony to how Jen has impacted lives and hearts here.

At the church Sunday we had a barbeque for a dear couple, Jitka and Dalibor Novak, who will be moving to another area of Czech to begin a ministry. They have a beautiful baby boy named Jonas, who is only a few months old but already active and alert! I have gotten to know Jitka during my time here through the Ladies Prayer Time and she is a very sweet woman who really loves the Lord. Dalibor is an elder at the church who has been a strong leader since the beginning of the church plant. I know this family will be an amazing light to their new city and I pray that they reach a whole new area with the Gospel. God gave us a beautiful afternoon and everyone stayed around as we ate barbeque and enjoyed the fellowship and sun. Now, when I was first told that we were having a barbeque, I got so excited - I was thinking about pulled pork and barbeque sauce and potato salad. But of course, we are in Europe and not even barbeque is different - "it is not same" as they say! Instead of pulled pork sandwiches we enjoyed bratwurst and sausages! It was very good though! And now I have had European barbeque! But even the food could not hide the Novak's expressions of sadness as they prepared to say good-bye. Dalibor will move next week to start his job but Jitka will go later on in June after their apartment sells - so we get to enjoy her a little while longer!

Finally, back at Southside my church family said their good-byes to our amazing worship pastor and his family. Since I knew I would not be there for the final Sunday, I had to say good-bye when I was home a few weeks ago. I know this was a bittersweet Sunday for Southside, as Bryan and Teresa will be hugely missed and impossible to replace. But we know and trust that God is bringing them into a new chapter in their lives and we cannot stand in the way of His plans. Bryan has an incredible voice and has blown me away with what he has done with the choir. I would definitely have to say that worship time at Southside is one of absolute favorite times. I have also had the privilege of getting to know him as a staff member and he is definitely one of the encouragers on our team! Teresa has been a huge benefit to the women's ministry and a dear friend to many. And their children are an outstanding example of kindness and respect. I have really enjoyed this family and the impact that they have had on our church family. I pray that God will bless their new ministry as well and that their new church family will realize the gift they have been given in this family!

Saying good-bye is never easy or enjoyed but is necessary to life. People come and go and it is the marks that they leave in our hearts that make us who we are. Rather than dwelling on the sadness of their departure I thank God for the time that I had with them and the friendship they provided. I pray that God carries them to this next chapter and maybe one day our paths will cross again, maybe even on this side of Heaven.