When you have to say goodbye to friends

The gift of friendship has always been mysterious to me. I've always liked the idea of a home having an 'open table', where anyone can come and join in a meal of fellowship and encouragement any time, surrounded by the laughter and love of family, having a 'when you're here, you're one of us' kind of slogan. In much the same way, my heart very much has had an open policy, willing to accept others as they are, and work toward building lasting and strong foundations.

But what if you know your friendship will have an end date? That it will have to come to a close, separated by international borders?

My answer: do it anyway. You never know who may need those connections.

Case in point: my friendships with the international students to whom I teach faith-based ESL.

I've met some incredible, vibrant, courageous, curious and loving people I'm happy to call my friends. Even with language barriers, you can still make meaningful friendships.
I am always excited to meet students from Korea that are brand new to the U.S. Having been abroad to Europe, Africa and Asia, I completely understand that disorienting feeling. Everything's new or different, the headaches you get from translating all day long, the squeezes of your heart as you lie in bed at night and think of home.

Those people are the ones my heart has been drawn to, and in return, I've found that you may very well be the person needed to make an international student feel as at home as possible while they're in the US.

You make connections, you share moments, and forever that time will be a part of their memories as a portion of their time in our country. I still remember those with open hearts to me in Ethiopia, and while time has moved on, I've never once forgotten their kindness, their faces, or their smiles.  Likewise, I'll never forget the loving kindness of my friends from Korea.

With these students-that-became-friends, there comes a point when they have to go back home. And my heart aches. I've grown to love them as little brothers and sisters, proud of their accomplishments and excited to see what their future has in store. But the goodbye still hurts. I don't know if I'll ever see them again, though we always promise to one day meet again, either here in the US, or in Korea.

What words could I possibly use to share the depth of my feelings as I have to say goodbye?   This is where I start to fumble, even as a part-time wordsmith, and my tears begin to fall.  

So, To Garam, Jane, Amy, Julia, Yoonah, SooYoung... even those students not pictured like April, Kevin/SungJae, and David:

I want each of you to know how very proud I am of the young adult you are. Each day you were here in the US, I prayed for you. You've all become very special to me and my children, and each of you are endeared to my heart forever. Be strong and courageous, keep seeking to find out more about the things we discussed in class, especially the faith stuff, and don't be afraid to make new choices, even if it's different from your friends or earlier generations. And keep in touch. Many here still love you very much - my family and I included.

I'll be praying for you everyday, dear ones. Until we meet again....