Darla's Final Post

What do you say when you farewell a place that you have lived in and lost your heart to? A place that has changed your heart, way of thinking, way of living?

See you later, until we meet again? Aere ra ma kia manuia as we would say in Cook Island?

How do we say good-bye when we only have words and words seem so incredibly insignificant compared to what's felt in our hearts?

I'm sitting here eating my 2 minute noodles, drinking coffee, and contemplating, contemplating what it means to have lived here, what it means to now say good-bye. I love to write, and I write all the time, but right at this moment, I'm at a loss for words.

The Cook Islands is a beautiful place and the people are a beautiful people. My heart protests God that I must leave here. I don't want my time to be done.

This place has changed me, made me more aware of living, making moments count for God. This place, this time, these people, have opened my eyes to God's heart for people. Serving here has taught me what it means to lay down everything, comfort, security, reputation, for the sake of the gospel.

There have been great struggles and great joys. Many tears and much laughter. So many people and an infinite number of prayers.

God is good. So good, so faithful. There is truly no God like our God. We often look for big things to show us God's goodness. But God's goodness is truly found in the little things: the slow dawn of morning, the sun streaking golden-red at the close of the day, the hot smell of guava in the summer, the insistent pounding of sea on sand, the smile of a new friend, the hug of a long-lost friend, the offering of church hospitality. These are all signs of God in infinite goodness.

I've learned that too, here in this place...

And I don't want my time to be done, but there are small whispers inside my soul that say, this is not all that I have for you; follow Me and I will show you more!

I say meitaki maata. Thank you to the people I've met, who have supported me, who have become my friends, my mentors, worked alongside me, looked out for me. Thank you for your lives, continue seeking God, His heart is so incredibly evident in you.

So I say good-bye, as I leave, knowing that good-bye, though final, is not forever. Even if I never have the chance to return to the Cook Islands, it will continue to live inside my heart, and the truths that I learned, the people that I met, will be part of my heart forever.

So until we meet again...aere ra, good-bye, & God bless...