Goodbye.

That small word seems so final, so terminal. At the moment, I strongly dislike that word.

We are once again living in the stage of ìgoodbyes.î Even though we are returning to Moldova after a year in the states, there is still a process of saying goodbye. We are closing out projects, packing up house, and preparing for our year of itineration.

In Russian, you can simply use the word ìuntilî (pa- ka ) to convey the sense of goodbye. Until we meet again; until next year; untilÖ. But with some of our friends, there isn’t an ìuntil.î It is ìgoodbye.î

We say goodbye to Baptist missionaries that will not be returning to Moldova . They have become good friends that have helped us keep our sanity as we processed our new culture.
We say goodbye to Moldovan friends who will be moving to other countries the year we are gone.
We are saying goodbye to people we might never see again this side of heaven.

It hit me hard when Elissa said goodbye to her close friend Nina, a missionary kid from Brazil . Her family might not be here next year when we return, and the thought of that permanent goodbye has been hard. Brazil is not on our often-traveled-to destinations. We have had some long nights mourning their departure.

Relational connections that intertwine our lives are part of what gives us peace, stability, and joy. Yet I find the missionary life stretches and pulls those connections, extending some relationships across thousands of miles, multiple borders, and various time zones. Though those friendships and relationships are wonderful, we need the relationships with skin, friends with which we can sit and drink coffee together, laugh together, picnic together, work together, and minister together.

Jesus told his closest disciples, ìÖI go to prepare a place for you. I will come backÖ.î Why did those words bother the disciples so much? It is because they wanted God with them, not simply coming back for them. They wanted presence, not promise. God has created us with a need for connection, both with Him and with other people.

It was a heart wrenching time that the disciples went through as their friend left them. And though they were saying, ìUntil we meet again,î it did not make the departure any easier. It is difficult to say either word: “goodbye” or ìuntil.î Both words signify a separation.

I am getting tired of separations.

The Apostle Paul had torn emotions, wanting to be both with his friends and to be with Christ. He wrestled with the emotions he felt as he said ìgoodbyeî and ìuntil.î Paul’s life showed that relationships and friendships anchor our soul. Oftentimes life pulls those relationships in different directions, forcing separations and reconnections.

Thus we leave home and friends ( Moldova ) to return to home and friends ( USA ), saying both goodbyes and hellos. Our hearts anticipate the time when we are all together, never needing to say ìuntilî again.

Until we meet again.

Andy Raatz

ìNever will I leave you; never will I forsake you.î –God (Hebrews 13:5)

We are so grateful for the friendships that have blessed our lives, both near and far. Some friendships are through cyberspace, while others exist via coffee shops. Thanks to each person that has supported the work in Moldova , whether with finances, with prayer, or with friendship.

As this e-mail goes out, we are expecting the papers to be signed for the purchase of the Home of Hope, for women who have been trafficked. We appreciate your prayers and support. That was one of the steps we were praying to finish before we left. Other projects will just need to be done long-distance and when we return. Please feel free to check out our website www.harvestmoldova.org for more information, needs, and links to our blogs.