A bucket load of tears

Today was a big day for us, and one that will carry many beautiful memories.

It was our last Sunday at Kukum Church. We were looking forward to it, wanting to savour every memory, especially of the beautiful singing. We didn't realise that we (all six of us) would be called out the front and prayed over by the leadership team, and generously thanked for working with the youth. That was emotional enough, but then the youth all stood up and sang 'Friends are Friends Forever' to us. Stella, who introduced the song, was in tears before the song began. Then I really lost it, as did many of the young people, who found it very difficult to sing while crying! We have been so blessed in getting to know the youth group so well in such a short period of time, and saying goodbye was always going to be hard.

After church, we and all the youth headed off to the prison to participate in the opening of the chapel service, and to perform the musical one last time. It was quite a logistical effort getting everyone cleared and approved to enter the prison, and it took ages to get over 40 people into the prison. Many of the girls were really nervous about being near the prisoners, so it was quite a big thing for them to come along.

Geoff, and the men he had been teaching music to, lead us in some wonderful worship songs, and the youth all sang along enthusiastically. The program dragged on a bit though, and in the end, we ran out of time to finish the musical, so that was a shame. But what we did do was done very well - everyone worked hard to encourage the inmates and be a blessing to them.

Geoff was sad to say farewell to the men that he had been working with in the music program for the last 6 weeks. Many of them are changed men and love the Lord dearly yet have a lengthy or life sentence to serve. So saying goodbye to another group of friends was hard.

It was pouring rain the whole way through the 2 hour service (I think the wet season has already started), and it hadn't stopped by the time we got out of the prison, so we had a very wet trip back to SWIM on the back of the truck!

Unbeknown to us, the youth group had organised a farewell for us at SWIM, and by the time we got back from the prison, tables and chairs were all set up, and dinner was ready to be served! It was so lovely.


Many touching speeches were given, and we (all six of us again) received precious gifts from different people in the youth.

Honestly, it was quite overwhelming, and I certainly didn't feel worthy of all the thanks. We have received so much blessing ourselves from working with the youth. It is amazing to see how we have all impacted each other in such a short period of time, and how God has worked through us all.

Proudly wearing some of our new gifts.

More songs were sung ...
more tears were shed ...


... and then it was time to say goodbye.

We ran around, taking as many photos as possible, not wanting to forget anyone.

The boys in the band!

Shirley, Esther, Gail, Kevin and I

Showing off for the camera!

My dear friend Florie.
I will find it hardest to say goodbye to Florie.
She lives at SWIM, and has been like a sister to me.

The Kukum Boys (this one's for you Narelle!)

Brianna and Sophie have found saying goodbye very difficult, (as have Geoff and I), and have shed many tears at the prospect of leaving. Millie and Elora, on the other hand, seem completely un-affected! We all cope with things differently. It will be interesting to see how we all deal with 'reverse culture shock' in a few days time.