Saying Goodbye

We had some goodbyes to say not too long ago. The last two weeks before we left Mozambique on July 17th were full of busyness and sadness, as well as excitement for the road ahead.

The hardest people to say goobye to were the monitors. We had a special lunch for them the week we left, and Kevin was able to give them some final teaching on leadership, as well as give each of them a packet of materials and a calendar. There were tears in many of the guys' eyes as they said goodbye to us and we could see they had trouble believing we would return to Mozambique. A Mozambican friend of ours visited Canada last year, and he said to us after he returned that he can now appreciate how much we have given up to serve in Mozambique. I think that our monitors suspect as much, and know how hard it will be to say goodbye to family and return to Moz. We will pray for the monitors this year, that they will be strong and faithful, and that God will protect their families from sickness and harm.



We also said goodbye to various churches and friends. Here's a photo of our houseworker Teresa's family. She is a lovely woman who helped us faithfully, and always with a smile on her face. It was very sad to say goodbye to her, though we are glad that her husband is able to provide for the family so we don't have to worry about her family going hungry because we are not there to give her a job. It is awfully hard to find jobs in Nampula.


Here's a photo of Ben with his little friend from Portuguese preschool, Kelvin. He's a sweet little guy who befriended the "wierd" kid who didn't fit in. We've found that in all the schools where our kids have gone (not English-speaking schools) there is one child who reaches out to the stranger. We hope our kids will do the same for others.

It was also sad to say goodbye to our dogs, and to our missionary friends, many of whom have upheld us during some very difficult times during this term. Some of them will not be there when we go back, and we have no idea when we will see them again. Such is the life of a missionary!

As we finished up our work in Nampula, finished packing the last box and said the last goodbye, we looked at each other and said "Whew! We made it!". We feel like it is a big accomplishment to have completed this first term and as we look back over the last 3 1/2 years (we arrived in Moz on February 11th, 2007) we remember many very dark days as well as many very happy ones. We do love it in Mozambique and fully intend to return if it is God's will (and He will provide the support we need if it is!). Meanwhile, it is heart-wrenching to say goodbye to those we love, and a little hard to part with our "stuff", which is safely in storage along with our wonderful LandCruiser. - C