A Sad Farewell

Well today marked the end of an amazing journey. We woke up this morning to bid farewell to the girls who live at Phil's house and it was very sad. For many of them they have seen Americans come and go. But still they stay. We come for two weeks and share our love and our lives and then we return to America and their lives continue on in the same pattern as before. There were many tears on both sides. i could feel the pain in their hearts that once again something good was leaving them behind. Do I regret coming? Not in the least. But I wish somehow we could bring the joy without the heartache. I think they all needed the love and the hugs and to be told that someone really cared for them. I think they needed to know that they were not alone in this world. though I'm sure it often seems that way. I think they needed to know that we traveled half way around the world for them. But the two weeks have flown by. I don't know how anyone else in the group feels but for me any longer and I would begin to be ineffective. The exhaustion is beginning to set in deeply. We have been running at both ends and I have been surviving on a minimal of sleep as has everyone. I think the group is ready for some much needed sleep and some good nutrition. And not to be selfish but a good, long HOT shower. We didn't fully accomplish all we hoped to but then every day something new was added to our platter and I think no matter how long we stayed that would always be the situation. There is so much to be done and so few hands to do it. But I personally feel good about our trip. The team is still getting along well, we are still managing to laugh (Brian keeps telling us to eat everything on our plates because there are starving children in Africa!) and we have all come to learn a lot about ourselves, each other and our Lord. In the end I have come to make 11 new friends that I will always have this experience to share with. Each person on this team is special in his or her own way and I am very proud of what each person has brought to this journey. We were all a piece of the puzzle and together we made a picture.

Yesterday when we had a celebration for the kids we handed out the letters from the sponsors. As a team we ended up writing close to 60 letters because not all our sponsors had done so and we wanted to insure that every child got one. I was so shocked at the kids reaction. They stood in line for almost two hours to get their letter and then they proudly shared it with every one else. They even had us take pictures of the pictures you sent. It showed how much they value your letters. It is not the length that matters. It is simply that fact that you care enough to take a few minutes to write. So please do. You will put a smile on your childs face bigger than any you have ever seen. You should never again doubt the value of your written word because they will hang on every word. And the pictures you send her are priceless. They just love them.

Today we came back to Kampala via Jinja where we stopped for a little shopping and a great meal. I had something similar to a chicken fajita and Kari you would have loved it. Just the right amount of chicken with guacamole. It was great. And then we headed to the shops for some bargaining. I felt pretty good about my skills and got some really nice things to bring home as memories of the trip. Then we stopped at a place and spent about an hour in the midst of the Nile (yes, I said Nile) River. What an awesome sight was. Steve you would have loved the waves. There were people body surfing. I thought of you and Cody at the beach and what you would have done with those rapids! The irony was in the midst of all this beauty there was one guy washing his clothes in the river and another bathing, like it was no big deal. Here were all these Muzungo's in awe and they were carrying on like it was nothing. I can't even begin to explain the beauty. It was just phenomenal. Words don't even do it justice.

I will leave you now as my battery is about to die. I guess I will leave you with this thought. Africa is a nation of poverty but these children are so happy with anything they receive. I feel the same way about all the support I have received on this trip. I have truly been blessed by your support and your prayers. This trip has been an amazing experience and I have brought a piece of each of you with me. I have shared you with the kids. Thank you for being a part of this journey. It has truly been amazing and one I will never forget.