I’ve never loved goodbyes. They’re hard and emotional. A big part of the World Race is saying goodbye. Every time we leave a country or a ministry site, there are so many goodbyes.
My team had the privilege of working with the sweetest kids at a private Christian school in Heidelberg, ZA. We worked in the classroom with these kids for three weeks. We also did a sports program after classes and each of us had a day to coach the children our favorite sport. Once a week, I got to coach soccer to the sweetest kids.
For three weeks, we were very involved with the school and grew close to the sweet kids there. We were expecting to spend another week there before moving on to Cape Town. However, we got sudden, unexpected news at the end of the day one Friday.
About ten minutes before the end of school, we found out that the school would be closing for a week due to rising Covid cases in the area. We had to say sad, quick goodbyes to all the students because we weren’t sure if we were going to see them again.
We thought we were going to have another week to spend helping in the classroom and teaching sports. Our time was cut short and our goodbye was sudden. It was confusing and disappointing.
As a team, we had a decision to make. We could leave Heidelberg early, or we could stay a little longer, hoping the school would open back up. After praying as a team, we decided it would be best to start heading towards Cape Town. We felt peace about moving on rather than waiting for something that might not even happen.
Before leaving this town that meant so much, we decided to do a parade around town to say goodbye to everyone. Since it’s a small town, we were able to walk around to the people that we’d connected with over the past two months. We prayed with each family and celebrated the time that we had together.
It’s hard saying goodbye, especially when you’re not sure if you’ll ever see them again. But this piece of comfort came from every family: “If we don’t see each other again on this earth, we’ll see each other in Heaven”. It’s a wonderful thing, having a family of believers all over the world.
Katy, I’m so proud of you that in spite of the difficulty in having to ultimately say goodbye to everyone you’ve met throughout the race, you have loved each one with your whole heart. Your impact in their lives holds so much importance, as does their impact in your’s. I love you and I look forward to seeing you and hearing about these precious people.
PS. I’m pretty sure your section in Heaven will be packed with Saints who know where the most fun will happen!
Katy my dear! You brought tears to my eyes! That is the wonderful thing about being a Christian! We all will be together again. In the meantime, I can’t wait to see you!!!! Love, mom
Hi Katy,
Can’t believe you are almost done with this trip. You are so amazing and I’m sure have ministered to so many around the world. Excited to see you again and hear more stories.
Love you,
Aunt Lynne.
Hi Katy, I am so proud of you for venturing out around the world to share the love of Jesus. I am glad that I have met you many times in Honduras on the Whitefield mission trips. You truly have a servant’s heart. you are an inspiration to me!
Love & hugs!
Dianne Pointer
Sweet Katy! We are so proud of you! So happy for your leadership and how you’ve used it in Katy fashion to win souls. I know everyone loves you! What an exciting time for you. Not only for others but for you!! I can’t wait to hear. It all first hand!! Love you, Katey!
Katy what a beautiful gift you gave those families a parade of goodbyes and praying over them!! what a priceless gift no one can ever take away a fragrant sweet memory of Jesus love… makes me cry… but one day no more goodbyes just hello and hugs and praising our Father together forever:)