Farewell, September 3, 2013

Barbara returned to the States in June, and I closed down our beloved MCM apartment and returned to Orlando, July 8. What an incredible experience we have enjoyed for the past 4 years living with our Korean family and working with the wonderful Ethiopian folks. It was very sad parting but the orthopaedic work is in good hands with Warren Terry, a Canadian pediatric orthopod, and the Ethiopian staff. We hope to return for short-term volunteer projects, but our most pressing goal is to sell our house and move into the condo that is being remodeled. Dr. Kim has invited us to join him and Mrs. Lee in Korea. Tomorrow we will leave for Bejing and on to Seoul for two weeks. We have been blessed for four years, and I will close with a farewell letter Barbara wrote to Dr. Kim in June.

Don

“Dr. Kim, Mr. Moon and MCM staff,

It was with much sadness that I left Addis without being able to say good-bye to all of you. Don can tell you that each time I thought of the possibly of our leaving, it brought tears to my eyes.

One of God's special blessings to us has been the opportunity to be here at MCM since September 2009. When Don was invited to come to the hospital for an "indefinite period of time", my first thought was, “Why not?” We prayed about our decision and also received the encouragement and support of our children. Thus, we arrived and began a marvelous journey here.

From the beginning you made us feel welcome and included. You “adopted us” into your family. We have met people from all walks of life that we would never have met had we not been living here. Each of you is a part of our lives, from the workers who keep the grounds looking nice, the maids, to the doctors and administrative staff. All of you have been woven into our lives, creating a beautiful tapestry of memories and experiences.

I am grateful for our time here and also deeply humbled that God chose us to be a part of the wonderful mission of the Myungsung Presbyterian Church through the healing ministry of the Myungsung Christian Medical Center.

God bless you as you continue to serve. Please know of my love and prayers for each of you. We hope to return in the future and will look forward to seeing you.

In love, Barbara

Also, if Rick and Fikru might be in attendance, please say a special word to them from me--Fikru, my Ethiopian son who delights with his creativity and sense of humor, and his generosity. Rick, for being a true servant of God, serving where few would serve, and providing care for the “lost children,” many of whom are now in schools and colleges--miracle children, because of what Rick has done. My life has been blessed because of both Fikru and Rick, whose lives touched mine.”