Transitions

Life overseas is full of transitions. We are regularly saying goodbye to friends or family and preparing for a new season. It is hard. Right now our family is feeling more than the usual transitional stress. In one week, the two teenagers who have been with our family for over a year go back to their boarding school. We will miss them and our family dynamics at home will change again. Additionally, we do not know when this school term will end and if we will be around. Our family is planning to travel to the US during our summer break. We will be visiting colleges and universities with Elijah. It will be our last summer together in the states before he goes away to school. My heart is struggling with this upcoming transition. 

In addition to these personal transitions, our school is also in transition. We have two families in our school who are moving to the US this summer. Our younger boys are going to really miss some of their good friends. We also have several new families expressing interest in our school, some who are currently in country and some who are moving to Uganda for the first time. At the same time, one of our teachers is not returning. It is not only a logistical challenge to determine which needs we will be able to meet, but it is also an emotional one.  Most of our students are also processing these transitions in various ways. Additionally, some of our students are in transition even in their own families. Many of our students are adopted or in process and are at various stages of processing those transitions. While adoption is a beautiful thing, it also comes out of brokenness and loss. 

As someone who often takes on other's pain and wants to take care of them, I am struggling. I know that many in our family and in our school simply need time to grieve all of these losses. I also need time to grieve. It is hard to process all of this transition and loss. 

As I process this on the heels of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, I am reminded that we have a God who has experienced loss and grief. Jesus lost friends, one even betrayed him. Hebrews 4 reminds us:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16)

It is my hope that in this time of transitional struggle, we will draw near to Christ and be comforted by his love mercy and grace. With the way COVID has changed the world, I'm sure we are not the only ones dealing with transitional stress. It is my hope and prayer that the challenges of this season will enable many of us to see more clearly our need for the comfort of Jesus Christ. While things in this life are always in transition, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)