My Last Day in All Saints

If we look back to the past, there were many things that seemed weird or maybe hurt, but they became something amazing and beautiful in present or even in the future. It proves that God’s plans are only for our goods. If things seem bad or don’t work; don’t give up! You’re might be in a journey where God is leading you to the very best place that you’ve never imagined. Just like my friend always said, “Just appreciate the process!”

In early period I came to All Saints, I didn’t have any friend. Nobody recognized me. They just gave me smile, but we didn’t talk much. Perhaps they kept asking in their hearts, “who is this attractive insane girl?”

Some friends told me that I’m friendly, but most friends told me that I’m arrogant. Maybe the second opinion is right. Commonly, I don’t start conversation. If nobody asks me to speak, then I would stay silent. I was confused when my friends told me that I’m friendly or talk active. I think they need to give me the authentic proofs.

As time goes by, I started speaking to some people in my church. It highly increased in December 2007 when I joined the church choir for Christmas. That’s the time when I met my new family, Uncle Derek and Aunt Neema. Both of them are very nice and generous persons. Uncle Derek is British, but his wife is Tanzanian. Aunt Neema still looks beautiful even in her 50s. They are the pioneers of our Bible Study group, which is performed every Saturday noon at their apartment.

I have told you before in Gerejaku, All Saints-ku that I had some good friends in this church. There were so many of them, it will take a long time to describe them one by one. But in general, most of them were nice persons with unique characters. I liked my choir director, Mr. David Ross and his wife, Dinah. We just knew each other a few months ago, but they were like my true brother and sister. David always looks serious and calm; he is a very talented singer. My friend, Douglas, told me that he is a former opera singer in Australia. Well, I don’t doubt about it. David can sing as well as (or maybe better than) Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli. Dinah is a fantastic cheerful humorous and beautiful woman that I’ve ever met. She always knows how to make hard situation become calm and pleasant. She likes fashion, and in my opinion, she could be a model if she wants. She was a very nice friend and sister for me.

Well, I don’t want to talk more about people in my church. Some people might be happy, but some people maybe not. I apologize to some friends that I’ve mentioned here. If you don’t like they way I wrote about you, please just let me know so I can correct them.

Last Sunday was my last day in All Saints. Some friends knew about this, but I still kept it a secret from some other friends, including my vicar. There was no bad intention in that. I just didn’t want to stir them because of this news. Actually, I didn’t want to make some crazy people there thinking that I just wanted to show off. So I kept silent until I arrived at church Sunday morning.

I was surprised since one of the ushers was the man who works for the US Embassy; he was the consular officer who interviewed me for my student visa. I became nervous again and didn’t know what I had to say. Finally I shook his hand while thanking him for letting me pass the visa interview. Fortunately he is a shy man, so he just said “it’s ok.”

Honestly, I didn’t know what the good topic for us to speak; he’s like a stranger for me, and I usually become nervous talking to strangers. So with this short answer, he saved me from confusing (“sorry, Mr. Solberg”).

The vicar who preached on that day was Rev. Dale Appleby. He preached about Genesis 3, it’s a story when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. I sat beside my friend, Veronica. It looked like people were attracted with Mr. Appleby’s sermon. It was interesting thing, because not many preachers like to talk about Genesis.

It was almost the end of the service. It was time for notices. I didn’t really pay attention to it, but I was shocked when suddenly Mr. Appleby said “This is the last day for Lidia…” OMG, he announced it!!! I was absolutely happy with their attention, but I was also ashamed because it looked like everybody looking at me. I felt like my face was blushing or maybe burned.

After the service I got a lot of kisses and hugs from friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ross even gave me a nice necklace. People said good bye to me and gave me encouragement. It was so sad, like we’ll never meet again. They are good people, good friends, good brothers and sisters. Wherever I may go, you will always in my mind. I know that I will find a new nice church in California, but I’m going to tell people there about All Saints, a very nice church that I’ve ever been. I’m proud of All Saints and the people there, no matter what they did. Good bye, Brothers & Sisters!!