saying goodbye
Yesterday we said good-bye to the other Collins family.
Something I have learned over the last few years is that saying good bye is part of a missionary's life. I think it is one of the hardest parts of this occupation.
how we met.
God brought our families together a little over a year ago. Darrell and Cindy Collins had just returned from the States. They were in Texas applying for a pastorate, a position that would put them close to their children and grandchildren. Well, the position didn't work out and Darrell and Cindy returned to Bolivia.
Dan and I had been very lonely and missing family. We were craving an older couple to mentor us as well as be adopted grandparents to our kids.
About a week after Darrell and Cindy returned to Bolivia, we found out that they lived four houses down from us. We met and became friends immediately. Soon after we met, Darrell and Cindy started babysitting for us, we had Bible study together once a week, called each other on the phone asking for eggs, flour, and whatever else. Many times we just sat and talked about life, sharing our stories. God brought us together in such a special way.
Yesterday, Cindy and I hugged on the driveway and cried our eyes out. She became like a mom to me, a grandmother to my children, and a dear friend. I will miss her terribly. Last night Dan and I lay in bed listening to Darrell and Cindy leave their home of 12 years for the last time(we were next door neighbors for 3 weeks since we moved). Dan and I held each other and cried. Saying good-bye hurts. I went to pick up the phone today to call Cindy and realized she isn't there anymore. I am actually crying as I write this.
Darrell and Cindy... we love you. Thank you for pouring into our lives, for being an example to us, and for being our friends. We already miss you heaps. I pray that God blesses you as you begin a new ministry in the States. We love you.
I need to go get a kleenex.
3 Comments:
I love you my dear friends, may God bless you with new friends that won't take their place but will bless you in new ways. I wish I were closer...it doesn't get any easier.
Blessings,
What an incredible blessing. It seems like those kind of relationships are rare, even here in the states. We too will pray for new friends filled with new adventures to come along side your family, and for the other Collins family's hearts too.
Dear Dan, Daryl, Naomi, Ben and Rachel,
Just today we read your blog and saw what you wrote about our leaving Bolivia. We wept. You were so special to us...and still are. We have longed to see you more than once. We know without a doubt that God gave you to us for a span of time to help with some hurts we had too. He is an AWESOME GOD! We pray that you will be happy and successful in your ministry and home there in Cochabamba. We want to stay in touch now and then. It has been a WILD 2 weeks for us since we got back to the States. WHEW! The Latin lifestyle is truly missed. Take care of yourselves, give the children some good hugs for us and hug each other for us also. LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Greetings to your parents, Dan.
God Bless!
Cindy
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