It is a day that I thought wouldn't come for another week (and therefore more time for me to mentally prepare myself), but because of last minute changes, that day is coming all too quickly. Tomorrow will be the last day in Joyland for James and I. Both of us have served as Joyland teachers for 5.5 years. We have been here long enough to see some of these cute little children grow, graduate from Joyland, and then come back to serve alongside with us as Joyland teachers. If you were to ask me just a few months ago what I imagined myself doing for the rest of my life, I would have said to be a teacher in our children's ministry. I just couldn't have imagined otherwise. Seeing kids with each passing year able to cognitively understand a bit more about God's love for them and seeing them earnestly seeking God, working alongside with other Joyland teachers to make Sunday mornings possible, hearing the simple message of the gospel and being personally spoken to, brainstorming and fellowshipping around the dining table at Teacher Michelle's place to come up with ideas for curriculum, skits, activities...at the end of every year when we considered whether to commit to another year in Joyland, it didn't take that long for me to decide because it was just set that I wanted to be here for another year.
However, this changed a few months ago when we took a trip out to Taiwan. And through the series of events that took place afterwards, and the specific ways in which we experienced answers to prayers, we believe that God has called us to serve at our Taiwan church for one year. They are in need of more people, especially sisters, and especially with the responsiveness of so many of the college students there, we saw the need and wanted to respond. Though we are excited to see how God will work over there, it was a difficult decision to make just because Joyland has a soft spot in our hearts. Next week we will be on our way to Hsinchu, Taiwan and enter into this new phase of experiencing God. And that will be an exciting day. But for now, as I take this time to think about tomorrow...the last time I'll get to unload the trailer, roll out the carpets, set up the projector screen, sit with my Joyland kids and sing praise songs with the most enthusiastic praise leader ever...I'm sure in the midst of all of that, it will be colored with some sadness.