PERU

Over

It was over. I did not want to face the reality that I was leaving a country that I had grown to love, and saying goodbye to friends that were now an integral part of my life. Staring blankly across the sea of Peruvians who had come to say goodbye, I noticed faces stained with tears.

I wondered what I had accomplished. People had come to Christ and drawn closer to God, but I had made many mistakes. There were many things that I wished I had done differently. I was different now, God had changed me, and I knew that I could do it better. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed two Peruvian children racing across the airport. With reckless abandon, they flew into my arms. Next to God, those children had been my greatest source of joy in Peru. They were brother and sister, and their parents were on the brink of a divorce. I came into their lives at a time when they were emotionally famished, desperate for some male affection. I had thoroughly enjoyed every smile that I was able to put on their faces. We had played on the beach, on the soccer field, in the church--anywhere we could find room to hug, spin and laugh.

I suddenly realized that love had changed these children and they would never be the same. I sobbed violently. Then I realized that God was embracing me. I thought of God crying because His love had changed me and because I, too, would never be the same. "It's not over." I thought. "It's just the beginning."

Sean O'Neil, Halifax N.S., The Rock Church
Team Leader

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