Goodbye and Hello

On the last day of 2009 we drove Emily to the airport for her trip back to Thailand. This was quite different from September when we drove her for the first trip to Thailand. In September none of us really knew what to expect. We were a bit frightened of her long journey all by herself. Would she navigate the various airports? Would she find the right contact person when she finally landed in Bangkok? What would the organization she was volunteering with really be like? How would she survive on her own? Would she become homesick? And on and on...

This time we all know what was going to happen. We know Emily can handle all of the connections in her flight. She knows how to get herself back to her "home". We all know what to expect with her volunteer duties.

So was it easier or harder to say goodbye? Neither. It was just different. Because now we're not operating in fear, but out of knowledge. We all know what she's facing. Wonderful friends & staff, exciting adventures, safe living arrangements, and on and on...

But we also know what she's missing; the security and familiarity of Canada. She's falling in love with kids that she will never see again after May. She's facing the hardship of different cultural realities. A faith system that throws away disabled children because they must have done something in a previous life to deserve that. A culture where you have to measure your words and actions carefully so as not to offend. And she loves the people around her and she honestly does not want to offend. She's missing a dynamic worship experience.

And so it was hard to say goodbye because I know that even with all of the excitement of living on her own, there are going to be struggles and heartache. I want to make it all go away. And yet I don't. I know that character is built through the struggles. I know the next 5 months will continue to shape her into the wonderful young lady God wants her to be. And that will make the "goodbye" all worth it.