A group of friends gathered at the Spice Island Airport to say farewell to us. I wasn't looking forward to those final moments. We had managed to keep our emotions at bay throughout the weeks of preparation for our return to Canada. Now the time had come to say goodbye.
The Sorrow
A heartbreaking thought pierced my mind - "Would this be the last time I would see these people?" We had served a very resistant people group in Asia for seven-and-a-half years. Now we would transition to Home Assignment in Canada.
Our national team members held onto us tightly. We had experienced many challenges together. Their lives had often been threatened, but they had stood strong. We had grieved deeply with them when their beautiful baby boy died at birth. They loved the people so much but their dedicated lives were constantly under attack. How we would miss these dear servants of the Lord.
Our team members had walked together with us through so much. Would they be safe? Would they be able to endure all the challenges of living among a resistant people group? The most difficult question that confronted us was: how do we say goodbye to friends who had not yet become followers of Jesus? The pain grew deeper as we saw their tears when we parted.
We mounted the plane with heavy hearts. We had been looking forward to our return to Canada, but amidst all the joy, there was also a deep sense of sorrow. I quietly lifted my thoughts to Jesus. He was my Comforter and would prove to be faithful again. I must trust him to look after all these people whom we loved.
Little pricks of fear began to gnaw at my mind concerning our re-entry to Canada. Would we be able to share effectively with our friends back home? Would they be interested in hearing about a people group so remote from their world? Most important, would the church feel the burden to pray?
The Joy
We finally landed safely after a 33-hour flight. We felt so blessed to be back in Canada. No more rumbling earthquakes every month or two, no more electrical shortages multiple times a week, and no fear of malaria, dengue fever or typhoid. We could now speak openly about loving Jesus and going to church.
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Our hearts were overwhelmed with gratitude |
There was a joyful freedom that filled our hearts. We rejoiced in the wonderful privilege of serving our Lord in this far-off country. Now we could share with our family and friends about God's awesome deeds and many answers to prayer.
How good it was to reunite with our children and grandchildren. We had missed them deeply. Our hearts were overwhelmed with gratitude.
Another marvel, our friends still remembered us and kindly welcomed us home. People we barely knew said they had prayed for us weekly, some daily. Many pastors and mission groups invited us to speak at their various church functions. We could finally share our burdens with others.
A beautiful 92-year-old lady who had ministered to me so deeply just before we returned to the field, had faithfully prayed and sought God for us. She had taken the time to write, to call us to faithfulness, to listen to God for his comforting words, and to weep on the phone as she shared her love for us.
We had finished well because we had a strong group of intercessors standing in the gap for us and for the people of our island. This had been a work of God, and we stood in awe. In our weakness, he had been strong. In our time of sickness and spiritual attack, he had stood by our side. Through the tears and the joy, he had been faithful. God's people could greatly rejoice.
Written anonymously by an International Worker who
served in the Asian Spice Region
