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07/07/2002 Entry: "Tearful goodbyes"

I just read Richard's comments about the goodbyes beginning and what he, Jayne and the girls have gained in new friends and relationships at Community UMC and I could basically just change names and echo the same. Today was our last official day in Swansea and Gower and it was difficult day in one sense because we have come to love and appreciate all the folks that we have had a chance to meet and minister with, as well as people in the community and elsewhere. We have truely been blessed by this entire experience and will treasure it and our new relationships for the rest of our lives. We were especially touched by words shared by our lay leader for the morning, John, and by retired pastor and past president of the Methodist Church here, Jack this evening. What moved me even more was a gift of a Welsh Beannie Bear made to Rachel after church by Amy, one of the few girls Rachel's age. She and her parents had to buy five other Beannies just for the priviledge to buy one Welsh Bear. Amy knew how much Rachel was looking for one and gave her hers. It is this kind of warmth and generosity that we have experienced all along and we are profoundly moved and greatful to everyone who has made this a tremendous five weeks.

It's amazing, people were still apologizing for the weather even up until this evening. Such polite folks. I just hope it warms up for all those who are still looking for some semblence of winter over here. I hope I can bring some of the cooler weather home with me, as well as the nice, soaking rains.

Some of our final experiences here included the program at Clydach on Thursday, getting to play golf yesterday on a very hilly, scrub covered course owned by a duke no less and mowed by grazing sheep, cattle and horses (puts new meaning into hazards), a wonderful dinner with new friends at their home near the manse, and three services today that helped us not say "goodbye", but "until we meet again."

From what I can tell from Richard's note and from what we have experienced, I'd say that this exchange has been exactly what it was supposed to be, for pastors and families and especially for the churches. And, I truely believe the exchange was of God and His timing, from beginning to end.

Oh, one final thought: "Yes, Alice, I did work the quote from the Blues Brothers into my sermon that following Sunday."

I hope that Richard will continue to let me make comments here every once in a while as a foreign correspondent once I get back to the States.

Posted by john @ 07/10/2002 12:20 AM CST

I'm very impressed! though of course none of us was actually there to verify it... :(

I hope you'll continue to add the occasional "foreign correspondent" comment too.

ciao,

alicexx

Posted by alice @ 07/09/2002 11:40 PM CST