leaving my "patria amada"
today i leave the country i call home to a strange land that outsiders refer to as my homeland. yesterday we left our beloved house along the banks of the amazon and said goodbye to all of our friends. this past week i have had extremely mixed feelings about our year-long furlough. i am excited to visit new places, make more friends, see my sister again, shop for clothes and books, and drink plenty of starbucks. yet then again, i am absolutely terrified. how will i be able to live in the american society? i already freak every time i have to talk to someone i do not know. if i hate it, i cannot return. also, how will i be able to be away from all of my friends for a whole year? a thousand more thoughts, joys, and fears have crossed my mind this first week of summer. but i know this: no matter what, my Redeemer, Saviour, and Friend will be with me through all my trials and difficulties this year. i may be leaving my patria amada , but the One i love most in this world will stay by my