It’s hard to put into word what it’s like to leave Guatemala.

It wasn’t just a few weeks of exploring and adventures with a VBS or bible study.

It was where we lived. We had favorite coffee shops and people we saw every day while walking to ministry. We had friends we loved dearly and homes we visited often. We had favorite spots to spend time with the Lord and street dogs that we named and said hi to every time we passed.

The connections we made with people were real and deep. The school in Itzapa felt like home. I missed our hosts on days we had off of ministry. I think often of our students, even though we only knew them a short time.

On our last day in Itzapa, I looked out from the rooftop and remembered the first time I’d seen that view. I had no idea the friendships, laughter, joy and love that I would experience. I had no idea that the kids we’d meet would change my life, and that our hosts would feel like family.

It hurt to leave them. The country of Guatemala is beautiful, all the mountains and greenery and colors and sights. It was fun to explore the cities and try coffee shops and eat traditional foods. But saying goodbye to those things isn’t what brought me to tears on my last day.

I stood on that rooftop, holding one of my older students as we both cried at having to say goodbye. I looked around at this place and these people that I loved so much, and all I could think was “Thank you God”. It hurt to leave them, and still hurts to think about. They’re my friends and people that I love dearly. But I’m thankful to know them, and I’m thankful for the time I had with them. I may have to trust the Lord with them now, but through his grace and his kindness, I’ll get to spend eternity with them. For now, I can look back and smile, and pray blessing over people that I can’t wait to see, in the presence of our incredible creator.