One of my favorite parts of the week is
my Saturday morning walk with my wife to the local “Feria”; aka Farmers Market.
I enjoy going here for the company of my wife and the local fruit and vegetables;
yet, the part that brings me the most enjoyment is stopping along our route and
talking with the other “gringo’s” that we see on our morning trek. The Feria is
only a ten minute walk, but there are times that it takes us 30-45 minutes to
get there, because conversations with others. For those of us from the US, it
compares to a visit to Wal-Mart. Today was different, it took us ten minutes
and we saw only two gringos during the walk and our shopping. There is a
reason. This week was graduation and many of the frequent travelers we would
see are now in a different country following the call of Christ.
“It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times…” is the opening line of the Charles Dickens classic, A Tale of Two Cities. Over the past
year, our family has felt the joy and pain of this quote several times with
learning how to say “good” goodbye’s and “see ya later’s” to treasured
relationships that have been in the works life-long and others that only began
a few months ago; however, each is deeply valued as earthly bonded and eternity
united.
It was the best of times…
My heart leaps for joy that our new friends
are in the next chapter of their life. These people are brilliant, passionate,
loving, kind and have many admirable traits. I am excited for their ministries
and the call that God has placed in their lives. Having them in my family’s
life over the past several months of language school has made a difference. Social
media is a blessing to be able to keep up with these folks and how the next chapter
of their lives will unfold. There are even a few family’s that are going to be
working in Mexico City, just a couple hours north of where we will live.
It was the worst of times…
My heart is crushed that some of these
people I will never see again this side of eternity. We will no longer see
their faces at school, downtown, playing sports or at the Feria. Our family is
learning that it hurts to love hard. It’s hard to say goodbye and many times it
just doesn’t seem fair, but it is also a process of building our character.
Also, it reminds us that these times are when we rely on the Potter and His
hands to comfort and form us into more of His likeness.
We have 17 more Saturday’s of walking to
the Saturday morning Feria and then our new chapter will begin in Mexico. I
look forward to these morning walks, because in two weeks a new wave of
students will be coming to the school and new relationships will form. As well,
many of our friends who are still here are now on vacation. Are walks will turn
back to 30-45 minutes and “normal” will seep back. Most importantly, even
though goodbyes are coming, we will not shy away from relationship building,
but continue to love; for this is the most important commandment.
Matthew
22:36-40 36 Master, which is the great commandment in
the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind.
38 This is the first and great
commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang
all the law and the prophets.
