To Weep and Laugh and Dance

For everything there is a season…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4). Sometimes (now for us) these things happen simultaneously and that can be unsettling at best.

Saturday morning began for Jonathan as a time to laugh. As a matter of fact, that’s what woke us up. He had six friends here for his birthday sleepover (without the sleep, a misnomer for sure). Then I stayed home to feed the herd while Bernie represented our family at a wedding. We’re still not sure whether to laugh or cry about that one. If that leaves you confused, email us.

It was after the wedding that the tide turned. We had a farewell lunch with teammates, Jacob and Juhny Kim. They are returning to the States on medical leave and if/when they return is indefinite. We made an effort to keep it light.

In the late afternoon we caravanned to the airport where we were joined by several of the young leaders of our UB church. The time to cry could not be postponed any longer.

I once attended an Alliance Women’s Rally and heard one missionary testify “Good-byes suck.� That offended some people. If it offends you, please grant me a little grace. Because as I stood there and watched what went on around me, I frankly couldn’t come up with anything else to describe what was taking place.

• I watched Jacob and Juhny say goodbye to their spiritual children.
• I watched our team say goodbye to valued and needed co-laborers.
• Bernie and I said goodbye to precious friends who have been here for us as we struggled to adjust to a new way of life.
• I watched Jonathan say goodbye to the third friend since we arrived a year ago. He and Enoch were inseparable over the summer.
• I watched the Mongolian young men and women say goodbye to the man who for many was the closest thing to a father they had known.
• I watched Sauggy say goodbye to his mentor and friend and saw the weight of responsibility heavy on his young shoulders. I watched the uncertainty in their eyes as to what will happen next for their church.

So, this missionary family has learned the goodbyes of exactly one year ago were only a beginning, and have been told by many that one of the hardest things about missionary life is always having to say goodbye.

After two hours we were back at the airport. This time we were welcoming new workers, Brent and Lisa Liberda and their four children. Then again, this morning we were there to welcome our new MK school teacher, Kirsten. So for this we rejoice, we dance. Tonight Jonathan will go to yet another "sleepover".

There is a sense of déjà vu’ as I write this. My first blog a little over a year ago ended with Revelation 21, and it seems right to encourage myself with words from this chapter again. This time, verse 4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.�

What this means is that while on this side of eternity, our time may be divided between sorrow and joy. But when it’s all said and done, we’ll leave behind the weeping and we’ll leave behind the mourning. Then we’ll laugh and then we’ll dance. Until then….

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I can picture that airport scene you descibed so well, having been there. In what little time we knew Jacob and Juhny, we were impressed with their sense of calling and portion in their Christian journey. They became instant friends to us too and we know you'll miss them a lot.