It's Ghana Be Hard to Say Goodbye

“When do you leave?”

This question has become quite prevalent in these past few weeks, and as time goes on it gets harder to answer. At first the answer was “June 1st.” Then it became "In two weeks." Then it was “Next week.” And now, “Wednesday.” Just like that. In two days my life will never be the same, and quite frankly I'm not ready.

Over these past four months, Ghana has become home. It didn't start off like that of course, as there were so many difficult moments and challenges throughout this semester that I look back on and can laugh about now, but through it all, that's what it has become.

As it comes closer to time for me to leave here, it gets harder to face. It's hard to know that in just a few short days, I will never be in this country under the same circumstances with the same people ever again. And I'm not ready for that.

It's hard seeing people bringing full and overflowing suitcases and bags down the stairs as they get ready to leave. It's hard walking past a room that used to belong to your friends, but is now empty. It's hard going down to the first floor of ISH where we all used to sit around for hours and eat and talk, but the majority of them are nowhere to be found. It's hard seeing everything come to an end right before my eyes, and it's hard knowing that my time in Ghana will also meet its end very very soon.

While I know that as this chapter of my life comes to an end, God has a lot planned for the next chapter of my life– it is still hard. Goodbyes are hard. Goodbyes are always hard. Goodbyes were hard when I left for Ghana, and they will be hard when I leave to return to the U.S. The goodbyes I've already had to say to people were hard, and the goodbyes I have yet to say will be hard. There's no way around it. I don't think there's a such thing as an easy goodbye. Some are surely harder than others, but I don't think they're meant to be easy. Goodbyes are hard, and that's okay.

Although leaving Ghana and saying goodbye is hard, it hurts, and it's painful– I'm glad. I'm glad I came here and had an experience that makes it hard to say goodbye. I'm glad I came here and met people who make it hard to say goodbye. I'm glad I came here and made friends who make it hard to say goodbye. I'm glad I came here and got involved with a community that makes it hard to say goodbye. I'm glad that Ghana is a country that makes it hard to say goodbye.

When goodbyes are hard, it means you've been changed, you've been taught, you've grown. It means you have opened up your heart to be impacted by the people around you. It means you have allowed yourself to really be with others and grow relationships that matter. When goodbyes are hard, it means you've made friends, you've been a part of a community, you've found a family. When goodbyes are hard, it means you have loved and been loved well. When goodbyes are hard, it means you have given your heart and invested it into people who matter. And all of these things describe Ghana for me. Ghana has taught me so much. Ghana has caused me to grow. Ghana has changed me. Ghana has brought some amazing people into my life. Ghana has given me a family and community that I absolutely adore. Ghana has shown me love and helped teach me how to love. And I have surely been loved well here.

It's hard to say goodbye, but that's okay. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's hard to say goodbye, but that means it was good, it was a blessing. It means my heart is happy and full and I am so incredibly pleased. It's hard to say goodbye, but that means I have absolutely loved it here.

It's hard to say goodbye, so I won't. Pieces of my heart will always remain here. We're all familiar with the phrase “It's not goodbye, it's see you later.” But here in Ghana, it's not goodbye or see you later; It's “Mekwaaba” (I will go and come).

So, Ghana. It's been a blessing. It really has been. I am so thankful. I am so grateful. My heart is so very full. Everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, has brought me to this point where it is so hard to say goodbye. It's hard, but that means it's been worth it.

Family and friends at home, I will see you very very soon.

& Ghana, mekwaaba.

Thank you everyone who's been with me on this journey, literally or metaphorically. Thank you all so very much for the prayers, the messages, the phone calls. Thank you for keeping up with this blog and the sweet comments you have given. Thank you for your words of encouragement and for cheering me on. Thank you all of my dear friends and family who have put up with this 4/5/6 hour time difference and my lack of a stable wifi connection. Thank you for listening to me rant and vent and dealing with my range of mixed emotions over the past month (y'all know who you are lol). Thank you thank you thank you.

I love you all so very much!

In Christ,

Elisha B.