With the end of our mission drawing near we can't help but reflect on many things that we are going to miss. It may sound funny but I'm going to miss the "Black" people that are all around us here. I love how the little girls do their hair and the beautiful color of their skin. I actually feel quite pale when I am around them. Today these children knocked on our door. At first they said, "We are collecting money for cancer." When they saw that I wasn't going to go for that line they said that if I didn't have any money, a treat would be nice. I almost had to laugh out loud. They didn't want any of the homemade cookies I had just made when they spied the large "goodie jar" full of chocolate that we take to the soldiers. I said they could pick something out of the jar if I could take their picture. They thought that was a pretty good trade.
When I feel sorry for myself because of missing all of the wonderful friends we've made here, I'll remember the last words of our dear friend Ashley:
"See you there."
Ditto.
ReplyDeleteI'll also miss the constant input to our "love well" that happens when we are around the soldiers. It is amazing how much you can love on a mission. There are the missionaries, the younger ones, that serve with you. There are the senior missionaries that serve like you. There is the Mission President and his wife who are dear to you. There are all of the friends you find serving others (like Ashley, such a dear man). There are the Chaplains who are sincere in their service to the soldiers. And there are the soldiers, both member and non-member, who surround you and feed on your love. Most of all I'll miss the constant input from the Lord on what you are to do, how you are to do it, and to whom your service and love should be given. This has been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. Luckily, I get to keep my companion and take her home with me. What a break.
I love that. "See you there." How wonderful.
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