01 November, 2014

The day we farewelled Australia

It's 14 years ago tomorrow since we left Australia for a missionary life. That is a week I don't actually care to remember. It held one of the most painful goodbyes I've ever experienced: farewelling my parents and taking with us their only grandchild.

But 14 years. Wow, it actually feels longer than that. What a lot of things have happened in that time. Many of which we had no idea would be in our path. Many of which I'm glad I didn't know would be in my path, or how hard they'd be.
This was the last Sunday before we left for Japan, with
a few friends at church. I was pretty numb to farewells
by this point, it was like attending my own protracted funeral.
I have no more words. Unusual, I know. 

All I can say is that the fact that we're still doing what we set out to do 14 years ago is only by God's grace and the support of many people's prayers. As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (NIV)

2 comments:

Shirley Corder said...

Awesome photo to have in your collection. We don't have one of our family before they left for the overseas mission field. Only of my three "kids" - Debbie about to leave, and her two brothers. All look as miserable as anything.

Wendy said...

We have a whole family one too, but I don't want to that up here.

By the way I find it amazing how complex we are, can look happy in a photo and have good times, but at the same time be miserable.