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There are few times in your life when it is hard to leave and say goodbye; leaving for college, leaving your spouse behind for a work trip, even saying farewell to close friends. However, leaving Frisco after the 2 weeks we’ve spent here is one of the hardest things we’ve had to do.
Words cannot being to express the love that we’ve received from our home church in Frisco. Continuously we found ourselves in the company of love and support, showered in Christian generosity, and rarely did we leave a conversation without our friends insisting they pray for and with us.
From the moment we landed in DFW to our ride back to the airport, the people of God have given of themselves and possessions for our benefit. Even as I write this I’m shaken by the display of kindness and care that we’ve received, it is unlike much of what is common in our world.
Emily has scores which she could write about how God has filled her life and heart with Christian women to love her for these past 2 weeks. From crazy adventure stories to spur of the moment shopping trips and heart to heart conversations to tear-filled goodbyes, the Lord has reminded Emily she is very much not alone.
I received the joy of a welcome reception back into my church office environment, where friends are plentiful and work is joy-filled and easy (I even got to show my pastor how to use his new macbook!). We are truly cradled in God’s tender care and provision to call FBC Frisco our home church.
Especially near to our hearts are those who gather around us to show visibly that they’ve “got our back.” Mission work entails inherent risks, and yet those risks are easier to take when you’ve experienced the kind of love and precious fellowship which we’ve received.
In that same thought, although FBC Frisco is our official church, our small group is our personal church. Our trip has been bookended by precious times of reconnecting with doing “life” with our small group. They are the most visible reminder of the church family which we’ve given up to serve in Eleuthera. We thank them for their love and support from the utter bottom of our hearts.
We love Dallas. Ask Emily… this time it is just extremely difficult to say “goodbye.” It is truly NOT the fast food, shopping centers, or qualified doctors that make Dallas special, it is the people and relationships. Not only are we exceptionally blessed to have such a supportive sending body of believers, but we are sent TO a people and culture which is equally special and loving. Emily and I are today grateful in ways which I find hard to delineate.
Here’s the best I can illustrate it. Imagine you’re back at recess in the 4th grade and you are with the kids getting picked for kickball. All the good kids end up on the same team and you’d love to be part of that team too, but you know you’re not up to snuff or deserving of inclusion. Yet they pick you anyways. You wear their jersey, you’re accepted, you’re welcomed, you’re included.
This is OUR team, and even as we say “goodbye” again, we wear our home-team colors in our hearts.