One realization that continues to pop up is that all of the experiences over the last 2.5 years in Africa have been part of a bigger story. The friendships, heartaches, revelations, struggles, celebrations all remain with me. They have shaped my mind and my perspective. When I return, I won't simply forget about Malawi or Uganda. The toughest part is leaving friends behind, almost like suspending them indefinitely. I don't know when I will be back.
What I do know is that God surrounds you with people with intent and purpose. My close group of friends in both countries taught me endless amounts about friendship and myself. I don't know why I started hanging out with one of the security guards at CURE and not the others, but I do know that the wisdom gained from our time together is invaluable. I don't even know how I became friends with several people here but I do know that I would do just about anything for them.
My hope is that I return home and love people the way that I have been loved. I'm not the easiest person to live or be around at times and some people just pushed through it and loved me anyway. It would be a tragedy to return home as the same person. Africa was never the final destination and when I contractually agreed, I knew this day would come. Time to look forward while letting my recent past shape my thoughts and decisions.
As I was saying goodbye to a close friend yesterday, I found myself just thanking him over and over. I wanted him to know that his friendship was special and that I didn't take it for granted. The amount of time that people invested in me was not affected with the knowledge that I would be moving 12 months later. For me, that's hard to wrap my mind around. Why get close to someone that you know will leave? I think that lots of people realize that it's part of their story. It's the journey that counts and the person may leave, but it will always be worth it. Always.
