Saying ‘goodbye’ is the hardest

I heard a speech that was absolutely heart-filling. It was about letting go of things holding us back and going forward. The speaker urged us to stop being afraid of leaving our comfort zones. That speech spoke to heart and penetrated my spirit. Asia is where I'm supposed to be. I have fallen in love with the land and the people. I can't imagine not coming back.

The speech felt like it was directly spoken for me. It’s like a sign that was leading me in a direction. I decided that day that I was going to come back as an English teacher. I know the pay isn't that great, but I'd rather stay in Asia and discover new things than stay in America trying to find my calling.

I want to help students here with not only their English, but also with their life. I want to show them the love that is given to me by God. I want to love on others. I know that it would be hard because of the different cultures, but that is only a small boundary that can be broken. Love can break that boundary. One thing that is universal is love and a smile. So I will smile to demonstrate my happiness in the world. And a little smile can become contagious where everyone around will be sting by the smiling bug. And that's what I have to do with my Asian friend, Alfred. I have to smile and leave.

It is hard to show that I'm happy when my Asian brother is leaving and we part ways, but I have to do it. I smile to show that the times we've had together have been the best part of my life. Of course in my heart, I'm crying, but in the outside, I'm filled with joy for meeting such a kind soul. Alfred has helped me discover what I want to do and where I want to go.

I plan on graduating college in spring of 2013. After the summer, I intend to pack my bags and head off to Asia for my career and to keep my friendship with Alfred.

Kevin, a student at Texas A&M University in Kingsville, served with Go Now Missions in East Asia. His last name is withheld for security reasons.