Good-bye Michelle

There's an interesting movie Scotty and I watched one time called Good-bye Lenin. In this story a German, teenage boy is trying to protect his emotionally fragile Mom, who was in a coma when the Berlin wall came down, from finding out that there was no more East and West Germany (her husband had left them to start a life in West Germany years earlier). This kid went to great lengths to shield his mom from media, even playing recorded shows on TV for her, to keep her from facing the harsh reality. Sometimes I think we wish that certain realities that are tough could be smoothed over for us, that we could live in our own fantasy world with life ordered just the way we like it so that it wouldn't be too upsetting. I've made an amazing friend here named Michelle. John and Michelle had recently come to La Paz as Scotty and I were making our exit a couple years ago. In the first few days after returning, John and Michelle invited us over for dinner, and we realized something that we hadn't had a chance to realize before- we really enjoyed each other! The past half year (has it already been that long?!) has been enhanced by the time we've spent with this couple...laughing hard, watching movies together, sharing our struggles in life and ministry, trading favors (we watch their baby in exchange for free internet and phone calls home from their house), cooking, and generally connecting on levels that we aren't able to reach so quickly with most people. Michelle has a gift of encouragement and has used it quite effectively in my life to pull me out of the dumps I have been in. She has incredible gifts for working with street kids, an amazing work ethic and ability to adapt to many different situations that most people would crumble when presented with, a heart to bless others through friendship and hospitality, a skill with food that has pleased my hungry tummy many times over, and a selflessness that comes from a deep desire to serve God. John and Michelle have been fierce competitors in Settlers of Catan and even introduced us to the next level of fanaticism by teaching us Cities and Knights of Catan. Michelle even helped me pick apart my first, enormous turkey last Thanksgiving. I couldn't ask for a better friend and know that another friend just like Michelle will not come along. But I am up to facing the reality that her body can not handle the altitude that we live in. Although she has been relatively OK up until this point, her heart is no longer coping and she has strict instructions from her doctor to return home. Chances are slim that John and Michelle will be able to return. I am grateful for the time God has given us to be together, to share life in so many ways, and for the knowledge that our friendship will not end when she leaves this Sunday. But, I would like to take the opportunity to share with you who she is and how she has brightened my life.