two weeks and counting

Wow. A lot of time has passed since the last time I posted something on here. So much has happened over the last few weeks… both good and bad. We’ve celebrated three holidays here: Labor Day, Constitution Day, and Victory Day (celebrating the victory of the Soviet Union over Europe in WWII). My school decided last week that because there were so many holidays, they were just going to call the entire week off for classes. I found out last Thursday that I shouldn’t go to work this past Monday or any day thereafter for this week! Can you imagine if a university in America just all of a sudden changed their entire schedule? There would be so much havoc! Along with this, my boss from America, Joel, visited us here in Bishkek over the weekend! He is such a phenomenal man of God… it is great to have him here and so sad to say goodbye.

For the last week I’ve been in a state of mixed emotions, thoughts, and desires. Fourteen days from today I will be on a plane heading west (well, north first as I layover in Moscow) for at least the next few years, but probably more. Coming here in August, or even leaving home in July, the end seemed so far away, and now, it is one of the most realistic parts of this entire year. In some ways it is the most welcomed, but in other ways, the most dreaded. I want to go home and see family and friends, be at camp, and allow myself to look forward to school in the fall. At the same time, I recognize the fact that the people I have grown to love here may never be near me again. Or, more likely, will never be near me again. I hate “goodbyes” and find it so much easier just to skip them altogether. But I know that is not possible, nor is it healthy. As much as they are dislike, goodbyes bring closure to those times in life and are inescapable. But, I am ready to go home. The year has been far harder than expected and I am ready for it to be finished. It has been a wonderful year to be sure, but I’ve reached that point of wanting home far more than wanting to remain here, as good as it is at times. God has been good to me… every day, in every situation.