A Life Together

by Amanda Cooksey, EM Summer Staff in Twin Pines, NM

I do not like goodbyes. I don't think most people do, but they are just so sad and who wants to be sad? In Navajo culture, they don't even have a word for goodbye, it's more of an "until next time." I have decided that I love that completely. So from now on that's what I'm going to live by because that creates hope andÃÆ'‚ the world can always use a little more hope. A hope for a friendship that exists beyond that moment, a hope for memories in the future, a hope that you won't be forgotten.

This past week we said are "see you laters" and "until next times" to the very people I now count as family. Did we cry? We certainly did. Did Megan and I stand outside waving goodbye past the point where we could see the cars? Yet again, yes, we did. These moments were sad, but I am beyond thankful that I grew to love these people so much that my heart hurt to see them go. I have learned that when you are thankful for the little moments, the little blessings in life, that God has a way of giving us the big gifts. He blessed me this summer with a big gift: my family at Twin Pines. Eight weeks ago I came as a stranger and in that time I became so much more.

I've been reading a book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer called 'Life Together', and it talks about the importance of Christian community and what a gift of grace that is from the Lord. Bonhoeffer writes, "It is grace, nothing by grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren." What a powerful statement that I know I have experienced. Never before have I considered the incredible blessing from God it is to live in daily fellowship with people who love the Lord with all they have to love. This summer I was covered in his grace as I formed relationships with the many people in Twin Pines, New Mexico. Whether I knew them for two weeks or eight weeks, the love between us is the same and that is crazy cool. I have comfort in the Lord knowing that, as my time on the Reservation ends for the summer, my relationships won't because they are friendships founded on Him and He is more solid than any distance the world can put between us. I have comfort knowing that when we part ways our "see you laters" are not without truth, whether in this life or not. This summer I was gifted with a community of people that have shown me on a deeper level how to love the Lord, even in the small things. They taught me how to be thankful for the little blessings in life, the small moments in life that make us laugh, the times we have to be with one another, and the power of prayer that the Lord uses to bring us all together.

This community is filled with a beautiful love. I can only hope the Lord continues to work among them to spread it more than they already have. I am beyond sad to leave a piece of my heart here, but as of now I am just thankful for the many memories I have to hold onto and the life we have shared together.

Until next time, Twin Pines.

You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.

View Small Team Trips

For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.