A World Away

Tonight my church had a farewell party to one of our members. Well actually, it was a small group giving the farewell party. My mom and dad have been going to a small group over at my Pastor's house for some time now, and one of the members is heading back to her home country this week.

I don't generally attend the small group, but I decided to come to the group meeting because of the occasion. It worked out well, I was able to serve as the photographer, while the group went on about with their normal meeting after a delicious BBQ. It was a nice evening, although it was filled with an aura of melancholy feeling.

The member who is leaving had been here for a one-year project at the Danforth Plant Science Center (which is located next to our church and is sponsored by Monsanto, whose world headquarters is just across the street), and during that time she joined our church, participated in prayer groups, joined the aforementioned small group, and even helped with our stewardship drive in November (demonstrating the traditional tithing method of her culture during one of our services). I didn't know her very well, but it was still really saddening to come to the realization that as she pulled out of the driveway afterwards that I'd probably never get the opportunity to talk to her again.

At the end of the small group, the one member read a piece of scripture that had come to his mind earlier today. It was hard to maintain composure as he read it:

When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. {37} They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. {38} What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. (Acts 20:36-38 NIV)

The now departing member brought many things to my church, and while I didn't know her very well, it is still hard to say good bye. I regret not having the opportunity to get to know her better. I regret that her time here was so short.

It is almost like a death has occurred. Not exactly, but like the Ephesians, accompanying her to her car, I realized I would probably never see her again. Being that she is heading back to her country of Nigeria, that I can be pretty sure of.

But, I do hope she realizes how much she has blessed this congregation, and that God blesses her as she returns to the life that she left on hold to do research here in St. Louis.