As I sit here and write this, I have just finished the final bits of packing. Everything is stuffed into a suitcase, with clothes carefully padding the souveniers so they don't break, and everything is ready to go. I leave Razgrad tomorrow morning to go to Sofia, and fly out of Sofia on Wednesday. My time in Bulgaria is finished, for now. Where has the time gone?! It seems like just yesterday I was packing my bags in Washington to prepare to come to Bulgaria, and now I have to leave already. Razgrad has become home to me. It is more home to me right now than my family's home in WA, and I will miss living here. I look forward to seeing my family, and am so glad I will get to spend time with them again. I look forward to seeing my dog, too. :) So, there are some exciting things ahead, things I anticipate with much joy. However, I still have to leave my "home."
It is hard to leave. I have made friends here in Razgrad that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I have made friends here that will be my friends long after I return to the States, even though we are living far apart. Even though I am leaving Razgrad, leaving Bulgaria, it will still hold a special place in my heart. This morning, as we were saying goodbye to everyone at church, many people gave me hugs and told me "Don't forget Razgrad!" It would be impossible for me to ever forget Razgrad. I have learned so much and grown a lot while I've lived here, I have built deep friendships, I have matured and learned more about living for God, all during the time I have lived in Razgrad. My time here has certainly not been without struggles, for I have had many, but God is faithful through it all. I will miss being here in Razgrad.
This morning at church was a mixture of joy and sorrow. I was so joyful to be able to worship God in Bulgarian, with my Bulgarian brothers and sisters in Christ. It has been a great joy of mine to sing in Bulgarian, knowing that God hears and understands every language. (And, it has been especially wonderfully once I could pronounce all the words in Bulgarian AND understand what they mean!) Today was also sorrowful because I had to say goodbye to many, many dear friends, knowing it will be a long time till I get to see them again. I am so thankful for this time we have had together over the past several months. God has blessed me with some great friends, and I pray God has used me to be a blessing, as well. I know that if I follow God, God will always use me. So, even though I am leaving, God can still continue to use the time I have spent here to be a blessing.
No comments:
Post a Comment