Good Friends Leaving

Our closest American friends in the city have just been told that they won't be coming back next year.  They have had some disagreements with their teaching organization that they are here with.  We actually met with some of their leadership the other day and had a fairly cordial yet internally frustrating conversation.  

They want their teachers to "have a good experience.  Learn some culture, maybe be changed by the whole deal and go home."  

I will leave the frustrating remarks for my journal.  

But we are really sad that they are leaving.  We've only known them for a year, but really sense a kindredness with them.  And friends these days are few and far between.  So their leaving will definitely be felt by our family.