Today I am joining Lisa-Jo and others for the 5 Minute Friday where we are given a word prompt and write for just 5 minutes simply for the joy of writing. No editing or backtracking necessary. No need to be perfect. Just words freely flowing from my heart.
Wasn\’t it just yesterday that we did this? It seems like it. But really it was almost five months ago that we stood in an airport and hugged through tears and \”I love you\’s\”. Only now it\’s the reverse.
I\’m the one staying here while my Mama leaves to go back to the place I called home for 25 years.
And we do it again.
We say good-bye again because this is where I live now. This is where I raise my family. I do it again because God has my heart here.
We say good-bye because these Indians have to say good-bye again. Again to the babies that they gave birth to that die from preventable disease. Again to their dreams because they live in a vicious cycle of hopelessness.
So I choose to endure the hard because really this is joy. This is the joy that I have, to serve these people.
And while it\’s hard sometimes when I feel overwhelmed (again) and I just want the old comforts (again) and I struggle with the same selfishness in my heart (again), I know that it\’s hard that makes me more like Christ. And when I am more like Christ, I can love these people better. And when I am more like Christ I can give them the same hope that I have–the hope that one day we will never have to say good-bye… again.
An Indian family says good-bye to their baby who died from dehydration. Oh, that they would never have to do this again!
S T R E A M S + T H O R N S 
Hi Ashely, I'm visiting you from \”Five Minute Friday\”. (next door to you) I've been reading about your life and thankful God has called your family to a \”new normal.\” Your posts are compelling, encouraging and grace filled, giving God all the glory. Thank you for writing this post as difficult and sad as it is to read. I am able to experience God work in a country and with people I will never meet. Thank you for writing. More Grace on the journey! Donna
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I love hearing the stories of what God is doing through you guys. Grace and peace to you.
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Thanks, Donna! Glad you stopped by and thanks for the encouraging words!Thanks, Karen! Always good to hear from you 🙂 You're a blessing to us!
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