Goodbyes aren’t easy…

As the curtain comes down on our time here in Belgium and the Netherlands, we have become accustomed to departing meetings and fond farewells.
These last few weeks we have shared many tender-hearted goodbye moments.
One of the sweetest was saying farewell to Chris Kleijweg and releasing him too, from his responsibility in the Mission Presidency, whilst in Gouda on Monday.
We have been acquainted with one another for nearly 20 years through various church responsibilities and assignments in Europe together.
Over these last three years working alongside one another so closely and counselling with each another on many occasions, teaching, travelling and meeting together has been a real joy.
Chris’s knowledge of everything in the Netherlands along with his persistence, wisdom and love have been boundless in the hastening pursuit of the work of salvation and exaltation.
Our friendship will last long after these moments of service together, so says Richard Bach; “A farewell is necessary before we can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.”
I will miss our frequent and regular associations together.
“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again” – says Charles Dickens.
Until me meet again dear friend.