Farewell Friendship Tea

The life of a missionary can seem like a life of transitions as a person moves from one place to another especially on their home assignment when they are visiting all their supporting churches and family and friends.  We have experienced this as a family as we have friends spread out all over North America and many different countries.  However, the missionary family is not the only ones who feel the pain and loss when the missionary returns to their field of service.  Family and friends also feel this.  Here on the campus we make so many incredible friendships with our students and missionaries on furlough.  Therefore when our missionary candidates finish their training, and missionaries in the area return to the field it leaves an emptiness here in our hearts.   I personally have shed many tears in saying good-bye to good friends, some of which we do not know if we will see again on this earth.  I have also seen my children have to say good-bye to close friends and it is not easy.  Sometimes it has been years until someone else their age moves here that they become good friends with.  As I have learned and grown in this area of transitions and dealing with grief and loss there are ways to help say good-bye well.  I have tried to help different children throughout the years make some fun memories through hosting a party, photo shoot, and with other special events.  Right now our grand daughter Aurora is going to be saying good-bye to a good friend Jean as her family leaves early tomorrow morning to head back to their ministry overseas.  Yesterday, I had the joy and privilege to host a lunch tea party for Aurora and Jean to give them another opportunity to make some fun memories together.  Please be praying for the children here on the campus and in our academy as they say yet another good-bye to friends.