fare thee well

Our first term in Davao is drawing to a close.

I know, because the farewells have begun.

This week colleagues had our family over for a goodbye dinner, 

and my sweet friend Ate Fely took me to lunch in farewell.

When I asked Fely what she liked best about the restaurant she chose, 

she looked at me with a twinkle in her eye, 

and told me it was the red table cloths.

Red is Fely's favorite color. 

And she'll never let me forget it.

 ***

Three years ago we said our goodbyes in the U.S. 

I thought it just might break my heart. 

And here we are again, saying more of them.

Saying goodbye is like a mini-death; 

a loss, a separation.

And saying goodbye hurts.  

It hurts because in some way those I am parting with have blessed my life.

You have made me a richer person,

and demonstrated something of Christ to me.

Thank you.

Thank you for making it hard to say farewell...