The past week has been potentially the best week and the worst week of my life. I had such a great time in Arequipa with the many people who I have somehow become so close to in so little time. But leaving Arequipa is the hardest thing that I've ever done. I have never felt a pain this strong before or felt this near to tears all the time. I don't know if it is scientifically possible to be dehydrated from crying, but I think I am. I wasn't expecting it to hurt this badly to leave, but then I also wasn't expecting to meet people who are like brothers and sisters to me. I don't think that I have ever felt so sad in my life. But, at the same time, I don't think that I have ever felt so happy in my life. I have been so blessed in Arequipa by the people that I have met and gotten to know--I am SO HAPPY that those friendships have happened, and so sad that I am not physically there anymore. I don't know when I will walk down those streets again or when I will see those people whom I love again. But still... I am so happy that I have had the chance to be with these people and feel so close to them in such a short time.
Really, Lima is the last place that I want to be right now. I want to be back in Arequipa with everyone who is there. But I know that God has a plan, and I pray that one day we will be united again.
God, leaving Arequipa hurts so much. Thank You so much for the time that I had there and the people that I met there, and please guard those friendships, Jesus. I pray that they would continue to grow, despite the distance. Give me strength in these days and weeks to come. Teach me how to get back to life in the States, and be with all of the people that I left in Arequipa--bless them, God, and guard and comfort them. Father, show me what to do. It feels so strange to not be in Arequipa and to be leaving Peru in a few short days. I need You to show me what to do.
I was just thinking the other day about how you were feeling 6 months ago regarding Peru. I think Peru made you cry then, too, because everything about Peru was uncertain, unknown, and scary. You didn't know the people, the places, or even really the language that well. Praise be to God for creating a humility in you that allowed for Him to give you the semester He wanted you to have - more than you could have ever imagined. I have loved watching (from afar) as He's molded you and used you this semester for His Kingdom.
ReplyDelete...also, now I'm thinking of the Calvin folks who have gotten to know you this semester and not seen you cry until now! Haha - in a way....that's kind of funny :) But really, it's okay to be sad, Hannah. Remember, you didn't cry all semester, so you should have plenty of tears in stock. Actually, I haven't cried much this semester either. How about I come cry with you on Sunday?
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