Including Katie, who left on Tuesday. She really wasn't ready to go, but finally I was able to make her understand that it was God's will. See photo below.
Carissa left last week, Aislinn left Friday, Jonny leaves Monday, and I'm heading out on Tuesday. It's really time. I can't believe after all the months of praying, and planning, and then finally being here it's time to wrap it up and move on to a new season. It's a strange feeling, being ready to see family and my friends but not really feeling ready to leave. Several of the kids have already left for the holidays to be with family or their sponsors and it's been a little surreal to have to start saying goodbye. I said bye last night to Sandile, who might possibly be the sweetest child on the face of the earth, and it just womped, to borrow a phrase from Katie.
This week I went on a couple of hospital trips and went to Grey's for the last time! One of the nurses there that I was terrified of the first month I was here was showing me pictures of her new granddaughter and gave me a big hug. We exchanged email addresses and I'm hoping to keep in touch with her when I'm gone. I can't believe that I've been there so much that the staff and I know each other's names and a little about each other's lives, but it's been cool to be able to connect with people like that.
One thing that I'm pretty sure I won't experience back at Vanderbilt: we were waiting outside for one of the kids to see the doctor at the TB clinic at the hospital in Durban, and all of a sudden we saw a monkey run by. And then another, and another... all in all we saw about 30 monkeys including a bunch of mothers with babies holding on to their stomachs! They were just running around the waiting area and on the roof of the clinic. The best part was the kid behind us that completely freaked out... he got so excited and was jumping around and shouting.
I leave South Africa on Tuesday, will debrief in Pearl River, NY for about a day and a half and I fly into Jackson at 11 pm Thursday night. I would really appreciate prayers for safe travel and just for me as I move back into life at home and leave behind things that I love.
See you stateside.....
love means going this far
even when the ending is only the start.....
6 comments:
nice picture.... i will be praying for you bunches(min 6 times) over this next week
Actually, you are due back in Jackson at 10:51 p m Thursday night, not 11....don't be late!!!
Love,
Dad
This is a fun and I know hard post! You're ready to come home but don't want to leave all your new friends...but I guess they're leaving you, really...so, hmph! Wish I could be there, but I'll be interviewing in Louisville. We'll have to get together once I get back...I'm assuming you'll be in Clinton for a little while?! See you soon! Love ya!
Claire
Ok, so on the eve of your departure I finally have a comment...nice of me huh...well I was reading an article and thought of you when I read about the Mahlangu hand washer. A genius design that turns a water bottle into a hand washer to help prevent spreading disease in water-challenged areas or Africa. Have you heard of it? well, better late than never huh? have a safe trip.
You are on your way! I can't wait to see you. I am praying for you continually today and tomorrow.
Love you! Mom
thankyou for adding to the beauty. it is difficult, but necessary. :) Has been a pleasure getting to catch up the past few days.
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