the ways of goodbyes

This past weekend many goodbyes were said. Really though, I saw them as "hasta próximo"s. Until next time. That next time might be a year, two years, or sixty. The most common question I was asked was "are you ever coming back?" and "did you like Argentina?" I thought the 2nd question was kinda funny.

I'm not really one for long drawn out tearful goodbyes. It's good to celebrate with people regarding the time you have shared together, but I don't see sobbing and weeping as a part of that. There's joy for what lies ahead for each person involved, and it's not like we won't ever communicate again. Email was invented a while back.

The "until next time" goodbyes with believers are even more confident goodbyes that we'll see each other again. They have been a good reminder for me that, even when I go back to the US, I'm not going to feel at home. Not here in Argentina nor back in the states. From one foreign land to another.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
Philipians 3:19-21