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It's strange how seeing something for the last time can be like seeing something for the first time all over again! This past Saturday I had the privilege and great honor of going one last time to the refugee camp that we have been going to for 5 years. This trip was one I was eager to make but knew that it would be extremely emotional. On the way to the camp we passed through the same villages that we have passed through every month for some time now, but this time not knowing if we would ever pass through them again. The refugee camp is being closed, and the remaining residents are being sent to other camps in the Czech Republic. As we pulled into the camp, immediately faces of so many people that I have met through the years started flashing before my eyes. Conversations had were being replayed in my head, and moments of joy and deep sorrow were being remembered in my heart. In these last 5 years I have met people from around the world- people I will not soon forget! Some people I have only met once but still I have a picture of them in my mind and on my heart. Others I have met time and time again and can call them friends. But still others I have watched grow up; had coffee and tea and sweets with them; I have held their hands; I have wiped their tears; I have laughed deeply in their rooms; and I have hugged often. These have become my family. So this trip was more then just an Easter program for the kids. It was, for me, one more time to simply open my heart and let them sink down deeper and it was a time to reflect, AGAIN, God's love to them. And in a way it was saying goodbye to family! But the good thing about family is that they are never too far away to visit! My prayer is that God will cross our paths and bring us the joy of once again laughing together, maybe in this world- I would love that... But my HOPE goes much deeper than that! Heaven always has room for more laughter! Amen!
As we pulled away, after being able to visit every family and distribute socks to each refugee, I realized an other chapter in my life's book was ending. This chapter has taken the last 5 years to write, and even though I turn the page and am eager to read and walk through the pages of what is ahead of me... I know deep within that these people... faces... names... friends... these MY FAMILY will be with me as the next chapters are scribbled down. I have learned countless lessons in that camp and am different today because of it. With one last look, we pulled away and gave our 'Final Farewell' to Cerveny Ujezd. We can't say that we will ever be back there, but we are sure to go on... On with His love to new places and wherever we end up reflecting His love- we will hope for more faces to again become OUR FAMILY!
Life in the Czech Republic through my eyes
