Going Home!

It’s been 65 days since I last saw the U.S., and tonight I begin my journey home.  The hardest part of this process, undoubtedly, is saying goodbye.  My mom said one time, “When you just know so many people, you have to say bye to so many, too.”  And she’s right.

Tonight at 11 p.m., I’ll leave from our “farewell dinner” in Heredia to downtown San José in order to board the bus to Panamá.  After a very short 36 hours with beloved friends there, I’ll arrive back in Louisville, Kentucky, for what (I hope) will be a delicious dinner across the table from my most-missed parents!

As this time can be accurately described as “bitter-sweet,” it still has a sweet part nonetheless.  I get to sleep in my own bed, see my friends and family, and eat all the JIF peanut butter and Oreos I want!  All shows and movies will be in English without subtitles, and I’ll drink all the ice water my body can handle.  I, also, won’t have to think so hard during a conversation, and eavesdropping will be much easier!  (I mean, it’s just something you really notice when you’re in a foreign country…)  So, let me make it clear, I’m thrilled to be going home!

But at the same time, it’s not easy.  Last night, I was thinking about all the people Jesus met and how he related to them.  He was undoubtedly caring, patient and generous with every person who came to Him out of love, but how did He handle saying goodbye to them?  The obvious answer is He knew He was going to see them again, right?

And so, there are a lot of people I have to say goodbye to, and honestly, I probably won’t see them again on earth—but I’ll see them one day.  What a great joy to know as one leaves the country!  To the many brothers and sisters from El Valle, Costa Rica and the States that I have met over the past couple months, I’ll see you again one day.

 

But when reality strikes, I have to realize that not every person I know and care about down here has accepted Christ.  As I leave this country (and soon Panamá as well), I must pray hard—just as anyone should—for the people I care about.  And so, here it goes:

God, I thank you for the incredible experience I’ve had in Central America this summer.  Thank for the people I met, the conversations I had, the lives you touched through me, and the people (because of You) who touched me.  There are so many people here, at home, and everywhere that need to begin a relationship with you, and I pray they will!  Father, use me to brighten this world as you’ve commanded us to do.  I hope the seeds that have been planted will take root and start growing into strong, firm sources of faith.  Continue to guide me and be patient with me when I get lost in this life.  Help me to never forget that my real Home is with You.  I love you… Joshua.