Saying Goodbye

May 29th was my last day at church. The kids came in saying they didn't want me to leave and was I sure I had to say goodbye. Some of them gave me hugs and gifts. Then I taught Sunday school as normal. We went to the regular service, but then things were different. Mr. Burdett reviewed with the children the two missionaries they had been learning about the past couple of weeks. He said that after their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas returned home. Then he said that we have someone that has been with us since January as a missionary and it is now time for her to return home. Then he called me to the front. The youth presented me with a cook book. The children gave me a slow cooker cookbook, and then the 4's and 5's gave me a Montana shirt with their names written on the back. The youth left to get a party set up and I lead the children in singing some songs. Then we all went out into the big room for hot dogs, chips, and cake and icecream. The cake was decorated in red, white, and, blue and said thank you Rachael. We ate and talked for a long time. Then the kids presented a dance they have been working on for me. They did a good job. When it was time for everyone to leave, I gave them all one last hug and said goodbye. That is when the tears poured down my cheeks. I hate to say goodbye. I have grown to love these kids and who knows when or if I will see them again, so that was hard.

Then I went to my college Bible study that night for the last time. They announced it and called the Burdett's to find out my favorite kind of icecream and so they had it for me. I walked around and told everyone good bye and got pictures of the leaders. Then I went home.

It was sad to leave, but I know that I had fulfilled my time there and God wants me back home now. The time he gave me there was wonderful and I will miss it, but I look forward to the wonderful things He has planned for my future.