Saying goodbye is never easy. It's especially hard when the impact of the people leaving has been so widespread and touched so many lives and hearts. It's hard when there is still so many adventures left to have together. Their time here is done though. God said. When the Father speaks, they obey. That is the Clarke family in a word: FAITHFUL. They lived here for 15 years pouring out their lives for this country, these people, their vision, their calling. They did it well. They also impacted all of us. We all came to them for advice, shelter, prayer, comfort, friendship, and of course a "cuppa."
The kids: Emma, Joel, Benjamin and Grace. These kids are the real deal. Well, they aren't all kids anymore. Their parents lived so genuinely that the kids fell so smoothly in line. Their home and hearts were completely open to us. The kids took our family into their family. They stitched us in and made us feel fully accepted even when we had only been here a few months. There is no comparison in their family. There is always room for one more. There is no pretense among them. Annie has a true heart friend in Grace, someone who understands her, loves to be silly, loves to run wild. Their parting has been painful, but we won't hold them back.
Emma, the eldest, who walks with such lovely grace in all her ways. Emma who fills a room with her smile and contentment. Emma who has the power of a leader waiting to come forth. Emma who will move mountains.
We had one last hoorah for the family to send them back to Australia on wings of love. To cheer them on. To remind them how many lives they impacted. To tell them we will carry on what they started.
Elizabeth, who in her simple way led us all. She never tried to. Her life has been so sweetly dedicated to Jesus that we can all automatically trust her. We know she holds the secret of walking with Jesus that we all long to have. Elizabeth, who is a powerhouse. Elizabeth who can speak Kurdish with conviction and strength to deliver truth.
One last breaking of bread together as we gathered from all backgrounds. The Clarkes being the common bond that we love to honor.
A few more hugs to carry us through.
A few more laughs. A few more games.
Of course one more cake.
We all love cake!
Oh this family. Instead of uprooting everything they have here, they gave it all away! They have always lived simply, but they didn't even take what was rightfully theirs. They left it all to us. They gave it to us. Then instead of encouraging us to be like them or tell us how to do be like them, Neville, the quiet backbone of the family, prayed LIFE into the things we carry in our hearts. He doesn't want us to look like him. He doesn't want us to carry on his work. In their complete selflessness, they removed themselves, so that the work will carry on and look more like Jesus.
Their lives are so beautiful. Their impact has gone so deep. Tentatively, we pick up where they left off. We want to be brave and courageous like them. So, we carry on, but Clarke family you are dearly missed. We love you!
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