July 28th, 2003
ADIOS
It was tough waking up this morning. I was driving Ruth and Marlen to the airport to meet the other delegates to head back home to Guatemala. I couldn't believe how sad I was to see them all go. Spending the last 10 days with them, learning as much as I possibly could from them (including Spanish) was not only great fun but truly a blessing. However, I have so much more to learn. They were very inspiring to me. Each one in their own way demonstrated great strength and courage, only a portion of which I would hope to have some day. Each one bringing to Minnesota their amazing stories and absolute faith and hope was truly inspirational. Their joy of life itself was contagious and I knew that the 10 best days of my summer were drawing to a close.
The host families were all bringing them to the airport to meet at 10:30 am for a l:00 pm flight to Atlanta. From there they would head back to Guatemala City to arrive hopefully by 7:30 in the evening. Definitely another long day for them!
The airport was a busy time with many bags and suitcases (along with the box with the 2 solar ovens) needing to be labeled. There was a short tense period however when all the delegates were there and ready to check in except Juan and Nelzon! Where were they? Luckily we had Krispy Kremes to ease the wait just a little. The delegates were all able to sample "real American doughnuts". Some of them had been confusing bagels for doughnuts, so they had to learn the difference before they left! Finally at 11:00 Nelzon and Juan arrived. On the way to the airport they made one final quick stop at Minnehaha Falls. One last sight to see and one more photo opportunity! Now, they were all ready to check in.
We all stood in line together for our last bits of conversation. It was sad because I felt there was so much more to say and learn from each other. It was evident in the conversations that we would all miss each other and that some very important relationships had formed.
After checking in it was time for the final good byes. The hugging and kissing began and the tears flowed. How was it that I have only known these people for 10 days and yet be so sad to see them go? We all hugged not wanting to let go and spoke to each other in our own languages. But it really didn't matter whether Spanish or English were fully understood. It was a mutual understanding with no language barrier. We thanked each other for the gifts we had given and received. We wished for each other God's blessings and peace within our hearts, our homes, and within our world. We were blessed to have spent the time together and we are now more closely related as a family in Christ.
With tears streaming down our faces Ruth, Alba, Mari, Dorita, Marlen, Bernardo, Timo, Nelzon, and finally Juan (the last one to go) got in the line for security check to head towards the gate. They were leaving! We could not seem to tear ourselves away from the airport if we could still see them and wave to them in line. So we stood there, watching them go through security and waving to them. Finally they were on the other side of the metal detectors now walking toward the gates. We would not see them again before they got on the plane. WAIT!! Dorita was still
waving!!!! Yes, if we jumped up and down we could throw kisses and waves just a little longer . And we did, laughing and crying at the same time. Then the moment came when they turned and walked toward the gate and we turned and walked toward the parking lot. Our love goes with each of them back home. Just as their love and gifts remain always with us. To our loving family in Tierra Nueva II, until we meet again...........
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