Time to Say Goodbye

One problem with getting close to people is that at some point you are going to have to say 'goodbye' This past week has had many of those moments, and it's very dificult to see someone leave.

Laetitia was the first. She left on June 28th, just after sharing her testimony at church. This was definitely a time of celebration as she became a Christian this past fall. Influenced slightly by Christianity in her upbriging, her life was quickly marked with change as she began a new life in God.

That Sunday was personally a time of thanking God, since I had been tracking with her weekly since September and I saw God working in her life as she decided to follow him completely.

She has taught me a lot about God and myself as together we worked through the basis of Christianity and how it affects our everyday experience. She is such a sweetheart and a pleasure to talk with weekly!


Priscila was the second. She left this past Friday. The time between her return from Panama missions and leaving to return home to Brazil (forever?) was short and sweet. I was able to spend a few meals with her and friends of ours to comemorate what God had done in our lives during the year he had called her to Montreal. Priscila is one of the students I loved spending time with, encouraging in the Lord and praying for her. God really broke her heart for the lost around her, which is an important lesson in my life since I am seldom moved emotionally.

It's particularly hard saying good-bye to Priscila because unlike Laetitia she is not planning on coming back. Her time in Canada was a one-year exchange so her time here has come to an end. I am certain that God has moved in her life towards eternity, assuring her that He will use her to change others' lives. And giving her a heart for missions.


Lastly, Winnie left this week. This past Tuesday (a week ago) Winnie completed her PhD at the University of Montreal. For about two hours a few of us went to UdM and prayed for her and her professors. It was evident that her study, which explains the gospel in the context of a comparison of two English novels, had a large impact on her professors. Many of us who were praying found ourselves exhausted following the defense, indicating (in my mind) that we were accomplishing a lot during our prayers. So now Winnie's off to Korea to teach at a university. She will definitely be missed in our church, and hope to see her again.

God had remained so faithful in providing for my needs. I can remember near the beginning of my time on campus, and even a few months into it, I was longing for deep, meaningful relationships here in Montreal. After being used to matured relationships in Ottawa, I was desperate for friends like that again. Well, relationships take time and effort and God has really blessed me with friends who he uses to stretch me, to encourage me, to keep me accountable, to refine me into his likeness.

I thank God for these three women!