The Longest Good-bye

As the clock ticked closer to 4, the smiles, laughs, and other expressions of happiness were slowly changing. Frowns, red eyes, and tears replaced them. The typical mad rush to the bus for dinner had become one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish. Not only because the team didn't want to let go, but many of the village children wouldn't let go. Many even hopped onto the bus for one last hug or kiss. The challenge on the last day is not just finishing the project, but letting go. Knowing that there won't be a tomorrow to patch the last hole, or cut out another stump, or paint that last wall. That's it. We're done. And that's a very difficult pill to swallow right now. But the physical transformation isn't the only effect we had on Miss Velma's house. We gave them hope. Tyeosha, one of the girls living in the house, shared a few thing with me today. She was writing an essay for her summer classes (they have half-day school during the summer) about who she admired most. Her topic was about Clare and the impact she has had on her life. She wants to go to nursing school after she graduates in the spring, hopefully in the states. Something she said wasn't even a dream of hers until we came into her life three years ago. As Tyeosha walked through her house today, she sobbed as she saw each room. And as she was hugging and thanking each of us, she was also thinking Jesus for bringing us there. Seeing the children shuffle off back to their homes as the bus pulled away, we can only hope that even as the paint fades, the weeds grow back, and the work in the house begins to break down, the work we completed in THEM will be what is most important.