Saying Goodbye

This is Erin Thomas' last week with us. We've begun the process of saying goodbye and it's so hard. It's amazing how involved and connected you can become in just a year!

She has filled so many roles this past year, overlapping them with everyone she's come in contact with. She's grown deeper in her walk with the Lord and has called everyone around her to do the same as she's walked closer to her Savior, Redeemer and Friend. It's been a joy and a privilege to get to know this woman, live life with her and watch the Lord working in and through her. Here are just a few of her many roles she's had this past year:

• a friend
• a sister-in-Christ
• a mentor
• an encouragement
• a babysitter : )
• a co-laborer
• an energy boost : )
• a housesitter
• a disciple and a disciple maker
• and a JOY!
  

Yesterday morning a small group of students met at our house. Erin was having coffee across the street at the cafe, so Anja went over and "kidnapped" her and brought her to our living room. We had a time of sharing funny stories and memories and tears as we talked about how much it's meant to have Erin here with us this past year.

Then last night we had a goodbye party for her at Trdna Skala and invited all the students who have come to camps in the past two years. Quite a few showed up to say goodbye to our dear friend, Erin.

This morning at church, our Pastor, Drago, said a tearful thank you to Erin for her ministry here the past year and then said, "I won't say "goodbye" but "see you later" and encouraged her to come back anytime. (Joel, Erin, Tilen & Tadeja led worship this morning at church. It was great to see the young faces up there!)

She flies back to Chicago Thursday morning so the last few days are hard for her as she's saying goodbye to dear friends here. I'm sure she would love to have your prayers...