Appreciation

[At Johannesburg Airport]

I was tired. I sat by the window, and watched my last African sunset. My thoughts kept stirring within me as I contemplated the last rays sinking down upon the untamed African plane.

I started to reflect upon my missionary trip to Madagascar. The image of the coworkers saying goodbye to me at the airport was still intact in my mind. I recalled their faces, their smiles and their laughter. As I was thinking of them, I opened an envelope that contained all the bookmarks and letters they wrote to me. I read them one by one, and tears started to roll down my cheeks, to the bench and down below.

“I’m blessed to have a sister like you. Lovely, simple and full of love. When I see you learn Malagasy, I feel that you have a great love. You came to share the love of Jesus, you devoted your love to the brothers and sisters and the children. Karen! I appreciate you so much. I think if no love, nothing can do. Even you are tired, but you still give. I hope that you still come back. May you remember all the happy moment with the brothers and sisters, the children, the jokes…”Za mahahelo anao (I miss you).”

Your name should be: 

Karen “fitiavana” = Karen love

And in big bold letters: LOVE NEVER FAILS.”

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where to start. So precious to know you and I thank God that we can be in this family. God will reward you all that you have done for Him (Church, brothers and sisters, your sincere heart and your coming in Madagascar). Really miss you. I wish that when you are in Canada you can always smile and laugh just like here. Thanks for all the food that you cooked. Thanks of helping us to paint, to lead the meeting. I have many things to share but it’s better to stop because I want to cry…

So enjoy to worship with you and hear your sharing. May the Lord use you greatly so that you can open a school just like in Tana. Keep on pursuing the Lord and He will use you greatly.”

“My dear sister Karen,

Thanks to God our Abba, to let us know each other here. I like to be with you, to talk with you and I love you so much. Without the Lord, we can’t feel the warmth of this family. I hope that we can still meet each other on the earth. I so appreciate your heart towards the Lord and your love and care to me. And even we live separately, but we still strive together for the Lord’s will! Keep in touch.”

“Our dearest sister Karen,

I’m so happy to know you and serve the Lord together. You are my encouragement. You are young and you have a very good heart for God. Your fervent heart attracts me so much. Your prayers are simple but work a lot in my heart. You are very helpful. I appreciate you so much (unforgettable!) Hope you can come again! Strive for Him!”

At this point, I was weeping. I have never received such touching letters and bookmarks in my life. The words came straight from their hearts. I kept reading the letters over and over again. I felt that the Lord was expressing His deep appreciation and love towards me through them.

I am so thankful that the Lord has given me such precious brothers and sisters to restore my first love towards Him and the Church. For the longest time, I could finally love like I have never been hurt before. Love without any fears or boundaries. I experienced brotherly love in its purest form.

Love is indeed the greatest of all. Love heals the deepest wounds. Love never fails.

And it’s in one of the poorest parts of the earth, that I have found richness in faith, love and joy. Madagascar has made me rediscover the importance of a smile, a sincere faith towards God, the beauty of living a holy life and the rich love that reigns over God’s family. And that is why I consider Madagascar one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived