Farewell CJ and Elise

As we sat in our taxi after a farewell party for some of our good friends (one of my dearest in Korea) I was awestruck by the Body of Christ and the hope that we have in our God. What, to some, could feel like a permanent goodbye was not that at all. While we are incredibly sad to see these friends leave Busan, I am thrilled for their next adventures and am comforted in knowing that those of us in Christ will spend eternity together.

This is the first goodbye that has been a really close friend. We knew this would happen...that people come and go here a lot. What we didn't know was that in just less than 9 months time we would have such solid friends. Elise is someone I strongly admire. Her strength, joy, and faith have been a constant source of encouragement to me since we met in the fall.

Today was a pretty emotional day. Elise, Laura, Nikki and I have been doing a Bible Study together for months and have grown very close. For the past few months we have put off talking about this day. And there we sat today in Church, our arms linked together, waiting for the farewell prayer for Elise and CJ. As soon as we all got up front to lay hands on them, the tears began to flow. Honestly, I'm not sure I could even tell you a word that was spoken in that prayer. It was such a sober moment. We know God has great things in store for them as they head to Abu Dhabi after a few months of travel and time back home in Canada, but they were be greatly missed in Busan.

I am thankful for "forever friends."  Today was not a goodbye. It was "See you later."

Laura, Elise, me and Nikki at our final lunch together. 

I will love these girls forever.

Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.