How do I ever begin to explain everything that has happened over these last 6 weeks. We reflected last night on how easy it would be to go home, to withdraw from normal life, because it's too hard to go from here and explain what has happened, and it's too hard when you miss everybody.
How do you begin to explain what it feels like to sit for slabs of hours, soaking up Scripture and reflecting on application. How do you begin to explain how it feels when someone you've been sharing with, comes to Christ. How do you begin to explain the community you've enjoyed when you can't really understand it unless you were here.
Withdraw, enjoy in quietness, reminisce ... I'm determined not to do that. I'm determined to do everything I can to be able to share this experience as a witness to others. Because it's only in sharing that I will really be able to reflect and work through this experience in the context of reality.
How do I feel? I'm sad to leave. I'm sad that this time is drawing to an end. I'm sad that the relationships I've enjoyed for 6 weeks, won't be the same ever again. I have loved, enjoyed and shared with so many different people. We know each other better than people in Melbourne know me. We've served together, prayed together, 'angsted' together! We've had to work through issues, chat through problems, engage with Scripture. It's been everything I love about life and ministry. And now it's finished!
Our last 24 hours together: we had devotions, went to town for pizza, enjoyed new experiences, shared the ways God has worked in us, had a dinner feast, celebrated a birthday, had thank yous, danced, sat by a bonfire, roasted marshmallows to perfection, watched the stars, had last conversations, had a sleepover altogether, shared last minute angst (of course!), hugged and cried (I didn't cry), slept (maybe an hour tops), hugged some more!!
Some of our friends have left already...it's sad. The rest of us are about to enjoy our last meal together before we fly out in a few hours.
It's time. Time to come down off the mountain. Time to get on with the job. It's time to see what God is going to do in life in Melbourne! It's exciting!!
- Joy
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