FAREWELL TO SARA

"Not sure when I'll get to do that again" Sara said, laughing, as she walked up the steps at a conference center in Rwanda... referring to holding hands with Marcel, a Congolese pastor and followed by Sophonie, a Burundian pastor she has worked closely with this last year.

Because she's heading back to Oregon. To her family and dear friends that are so eager to have her back. To cool rainy days. To Starbucks, fast food, and the conveniences of stores like Target and Fred Meyers. To a lot that is still unknown.

And she's leaving behind many dear friends, Burundians and expats both, a legacy of work accomplished here, and many daily joys and frustrations that have somehow become normal to her over the years. Saying goodbye to Saturday beach volleyball that she loves, our pets Sam, Jack Jack, and Freaker, and the opportunity to hold pastor's hands. (no worries, it's normal here.)

And this is probably self-centered thinking, but I think I might be the one to miss her the most (although Deanna, Lizzie, or Gretie may argue that!). We've lived together and worked together, and there are so many fond memories in those thousands and thousands of hours. To me, she's been a cultural mentor, an empathic sounding board, a dear friend, and really (in many ways) a sister.

I hope she knows what she has meant to me. And how much I will miss her.