How to say Good-bye

Well this morning the team from Jamaica had to return to Jamaica. It was such a blessed time I must admit. I can't even begin to express how completely refreshing and awesome it was to have each one of the members here. I was blessed in so many ways, receiving a greater passion for serving God, encouragement in what I'm doing here, abilities to create community outreaches, man it was just so sweet. There isn't one person on that team that I didn't learn something from and the fact that I felt I had known them for a lifetime is quite amazing. I love how God just places people in your life at just the right moment. Although I wish they were all still here I know they are all going onto bigger and better things in the Lord. He has called some to go to other places for ministry, some are still expressing interest in returning which warms my heart, and then others are just patiently waiting to hear from Him. It was extremely hard this morning to say good-bye to the team and although I did hold myself together I was torn. It is the one challenge that I hate to face as a missionary. I constantly meet people and connect with them on a deeper level than just the surface and create such great friendships and then always have to say good-bye. It is a great thing to have such great friends but there is always a little bit of time where it hurts. I was told once to never allow myself to shut down my emotions in these type of situations, in YWAM it is so common for people to just close themselves off and not really connect to people because of the fact of getting hurt. For me I like to just love on the people and share as much as I can with them and connect in any way possible. It is so important to create the friendships and enjoy all you can with the time you have and then when the time comes to say farewell it is sad but you know that you have done all you are able to do in that time to be real and connect. So when you are with the people you love and love them and when you say good-bye you cry and look forward to the next meeting! I couldn't help but have prayers of thanksgiving driving back from the airport. I was in complete awe of the way God chose to use us as a team to impact this community. It was such a great time and like I said before we have made some pretty solid community connections that will allow us more involvement!! We have also learned the power of unity, although we were only 3 people hosting a team of 11 we worked it out and were able to juggle the team and the day to day tasks of the property. God just totally blew my mind away in this time and I am so thankful that I am here and able to take part in the work He's doing here. I am looking forward to hearing all about the teams whole DTS experience when they finish next Sat. I remember when I was in their shoes preparing to go back home and the challenges that I was facing, the questions I was asking, and the uncertainty that was always in my mind. I am so excited for each one of these students and can't wait to see what God does in them and through them in the coming months. Today although it is extremely quiet and pretty much feeling empty there is a void but there is also the sweet memories still floating around of all the smiles that this team brought. WE have truly been blessed for the last month and now it is time to see what God has for us next in this new season!! I will be more diligent in keeping my blog updated, now that I'm not quite as busy! "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."