Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.... “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Farewells

One of the most useful tools I have ever received as one who has made many cross-cultural transitions is the idea of building your RAFT before you leave a place: Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewells, and Thinking ahead. Saying farewell has been an especially important part of closure for me. And so before I started dismantling our house to pack in the container, I took pictures of each room. We have lived longer and had more memories in this house than any other of our married life. As I walked through and around the house our last day in Cochabamba and plucked one last gardenia flower from the bush to press in my Bible, the walls practically echoed with all the memories. Laughter... tears... frustration... desperation... joy... birthdays... lazy family days... tea parties... sister fun... games... wrestling on the living room carpet... movies and popcorn... holidays and family visits... church and team fellowships... coffee and early morning Bible reading on the back porch... family meals... swinging... wading pools and sand boxes... sleep overs... barbecues... late night discussions in front of the heater... work and play... peace... and life. I thank God for this home and will always treasure the memories it holds.

















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