well, after 4 months and a few days, I had to say my goodbyes to Jubilee childrens center. For our last night, my roommate and I spent it in the boys dorm. we gave away clothes and other random items to the boys who thought it was christmas. we did not sleep however till about 12:30 am due to the shenanigans. at 4:30, i woke up for the goat slaughter. i was tired, cold and sad that it was my last morning, but i knew that i wanted that goat dead in 2 min flat, any longer, and i would feel horrible. after i sliced her, she was gone in a little under 2 min. thank the lord. i removed the offal and then started work on the head. just fyi, skinning a skull of an animal is a somewhat difficult task. all day friday was filled with last minute things, like picking up 5 crates of soda for the kids, getting classes gospel bracelets, finishing unit chapters for bible classes and so on. it was sad to be closing the door to something my roommates and i all loved. we spent the whole day with the kids, trying to get the most out of our last hours with them. the kids thanked me for the generous portion of goat meat in their food that night, and then we went off to our last chapel. all 3 of us were wrecks, we were tired, sad, and for me, a little worried about making it in time for my flight. when called to speak just a last word to the kids, i almost did not make it through, and for the first time in my life, i was at a true loss for words. what do you say to the kids who have impacted your life right before you leave them?
our 8:30 pm leaving time was pushed back in true african fashion to 9, only because the kids and us were crying and saying goodbye. the kids gave me all they could give me before i left, and that was notes and letters. they tried to put them in our pockets so we almost would not notice till we reached in. we drove away looking back at the sad faces of the kids, they seeing the sad face masked with a fake smile. it was truly the toughest thing to do.
the airport though snapped me back into reality, when i was charged $300 for my luggage being 4 and 5 kilos over weight. i boarded my plane just fine and arrived in zurich. after walking around for a while, i finally figured out the train system and took one in to a nice area 20 min away from the airport. i walked the streets for 2 hours and fell in love with the country. the alps make a breath taking background to an already beautiful city. I am now sitting and waiting for my plane to start boarding to go home. funny enough, it's the same gate that i sat at last time waiting to board, but then i was going into nairobi.
this whole adventure was truly God planned. i walked nearly blind into a trip that God designed. I am coming back changed, it's been over 12 hours since i left the kids, but yet i already am starting to see the changes. i was blessed to have an opportunity like this and to have tools to do it.
I want to thank everyone who sent me emails or facebook wall post and messages of encouragement. though it may of seemed like nothing to write a few sentences, it meant the world to me. your prayers were felt and your so was your love. Africa showed me how much i should be thankful for when it comes to what i have, but you all showed me how much i should be thankful for who i have. this trip would not of happened logistically or mentally if it was not for my mom, who gave a lot of money that i did not ask for in order for me to provide for the kids. my sister who helped keep mom sane, and also sent me updates on whatever i needed to know about. to the Jepsen family who heaped on the encouragement and prayer for me, and also put me in contact with Bryan Burr of convoy of hope. Holly peters who A)gave me the title of this blog, and B)was my first and only legit pen pal. Shayne Heidt who made me my bible verse cards. they were my secret weapon for emergency sermons, tough days, and making sure my day started out on the right foot. all of you who prayed for me, you know who you are. the Shipmans though, my goodness, spent hours up past their bed times to video chat with me, gave me prayer and encouragement like no other and also made the homesickness melt away. Missions press for trusting me with the amazing work that Missions press does. Every missionary and pastor who met with me, every taxi driver who drove me, every person who helped me out when i needed it.
so all i can say for me now is this, now what? one adventure down, praying that more are to come.
there is a quote that says "America is my country, but Paris is my home". i thought about this everyday, the reality of feeling at home, away from your birthplace. i understand it now, how it's not the house, or the things that make home home, it's the people. i feel as if i have 2 homes now, and to change the quote, "America is my country, but Kenya is my home".
our 8:30 pm leaving time was pushed back in true african fashion to 9, only because the kids and us were crying and saying goodbye. the kids gave me all they could give me before i left, and that was notes and letters. they tried to put them in our pockets so we almost would not notice till we reached in. we drove away looking back at the sad faces of the kids, they seeing the sad face masked with a fake smile. it was truly the toughest thing to do.
the airport though snapped me back into reality, when i was charged $300 for my luggage being 4 and 5 kilos over weight. i boarded my plane just fine and arrived in zurich. after walking around for a while, i finally figured out the train system and took one in to a nice area 20 min away from the airport. i walked the streets for 2 hours and fell in love with the country. the alps make a breath taking background to an already beautiful city. I am now sitting and waiting for my plane to start boarding to go home. funny enough, it's the same gate that i sat at last time waiting to board, but then i was going into nairobi.
this whole adventure was truly God planned. i walked nearly blind into a trip that God designed. I am coming back changed, it's been over 12 hours since i left the kids, but yet i already am starting to see the changes. i was blessed to have an opportunity like this and to have tools to do it.
I want to thank everyone who sent me emails or facebook wall post and messages of encouragement. though it may of seemed like nothing to write a few sentences, it meant the world to me. your prayers were felt and your so was your love. Africa showed me how much i should be thankful for when it comes to what i have, but you all showed me how much i should be thankful for who i have. this trip would not of happened logistically or mentally if it was not for my mom, who gave a lot of money that i did not ask for in order for me to provide for the kids. my sister who helped keep mom sane, and also sent me updates on whatever i needed to know about. to the Jepsen family who heaped on the encouragement and prayer for me, and also put me in contact with Bryan Burr of convoy of hope. Holly peters who A)gave me the title of this blog, and B)was my first and only legit pen pal. Shayne Heidt who made me my bible verse cards. they were my secret weapon for emergency sermons, tough days, and making sure my day started out on the right foot. all of you who prayed for me, you know who you are. the Shipmans though, my goodness, spent hours up past their bed times to video chat with me, gave me prayer and encouragement like no other and also made the homesickness melt away. Missions press for trusting me with the amazing work that Missions press does. Every missionary and pastor who met with me, every taxi driver who drove me, every person who helped me out when i needed it.
so all i can say for me now is this, now what? one adventure down, praying that more are to come.
there is a quote that says "America is my country, but Paris is my home". i thought about this everyday, the reality of feeling at home, away from your birthplace. i understand it now, how it's not the house, or the things that make home home, it's the people. i feel as if i have 2 homes now, and to change the quote, "America is my country, but Kenya is my home".
