Day 12: Kwa Heri=Goodbye
This morning I got up early to spend time with the babies, the best way to start the day. Next-Played some trivia games with grade twos, and said farewell to Lynda, her granddaughter and our new Torontonian friend, Lorri. After spending time with Ezekiel in the kitchen, we watched the year end celebration for the kids. Each and every kid 'walked the cat walk' to music and was applauded (so good for their self confidence to walk in front of 100 people). The grade 2s were recognized for improving their overall average this term from the previous term. I've spent a lot of time in there, preparing for exams. I looked over to their teacher and gave her a thumbs up. She gave me the signal to 'clap for yourself', (gently beat your chest), indicating that I helped, too. So sweet. I then headed over to put Ronny down for his nap (tears part 1). The best part of the day was the soccer game that they have on Thursday afternoons. Ivan allows the staff (farmers, security, cooks, drivers) to take an extra hour for lunch to play a friendly match each week. We had so much fun!! I even scored (although I think it was luck). Most of them played in bare feet and we all darted around the cow dung on the grass ha ha. We got a good sweat on and had a lot of laughs. Then we watched Ivan and Dama's wedding video with the kids, it was cute. All the kids in the orphanage has dresses made and each of them were involved. During this time, little Ronny fell asleep on me (tears part 2). After laying him down in his bed (tears part 3) we headed over to Nyota to have dinner, worship, and give them our flag with a special message written on it. A couple of kids stood up to say how thankful they were for us coming, what they loved doing with us, hoping for a safe journey home and to greet our families for them (tears part 4). A good night chat with Ivan and Dama, and we're all packed up and heading to our safari tomorrow. As you can see, the tears were free flowing today. I was once told that it's better to have loved and lost, than to never love at all. This saying is partially true, I don't feel as though leaving means I've lost the connections we've made...but the love part certainly is true. My heart is so so full, my respect is much greater for orphanages and the needy. The lessons I've learned in two short weeks have changed my perspective on waste, greediness, and materialism. People told me before leaving that Africa would change me. Without a doubt, this statement is true. If you ever have the chance in life to experience what Amanda and I just have, you too will understand.
Kwa Heri Mission in Action. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
This morning I got up early to spend time with the babies, the best way to start the day. Next-Played some trivia games with grade twos, and said farewell to Lynda, her granddaughter and our new Torontonian friend, Lorri. After spending time with Ezekiel in the kitchen, we watched the year end celebration for the kids. Each and every kid 'walked the cat walk' to music and was applauded (so good for their self confidence to walk in front of 100 people). The grade 2s were recognized for improving their overall average this term from the previous term. I've spent a lot of time in there, preparing for exams. I looked over to their teacher and gave her a thumbs up. She gave me the signal to 'clap for yourself', (gently beat your chest), indicating that I helped, too. So sweet. I then headed over to put Ronny down for his nap (tears part 1). The best part of the day was the soccer game that they have on Thursday afternoons. Ivan allows the staff (farmers, security, cooks, drivers) to take an extra hour for lunch to play a friendly match each week. We had so much fun!! I even scored (although I think it was luck). Most of them played in bare feet and we all darted around the cow dung on the grass ha ha. We got a good sweat on and had a lot of laughs. Then we watched Ivan and Dama's wedding video with the kids, it was cute. All the kids in the orphanage has dresses made and each of them were involved. During this time, little Ronny fell asleep on me (tears part 2). After laying him down in his bed (tears part 3) we headed over to Nyota to have dinner, worship, and give them our flag with a special message written on it. A couple of kids stood up to say how thankful they were for us coming, what they loved doing with us, hoping for a safe journey home and to greet our families for them (tears part 4). A good night chat with Ivan and Dama, and we're all packed up and heading to our safari tomorrow. As you can see, the tears were free flowing today. I was once told that it's better to have loved and lost, than to never love at all. This saying is partially true, I don't feel as though leaving means I've lost the connections we've made...but the love part certainly is true. My heart is so so full, my respect is much greater for orphanages and the needy. The lessons I've learned in two short weeks have changed my perspective on waste, greediness, and materialism. People told me before leaving that Africa would change me. Without a doubt, this statement is true. If you ever have the chance in life to experience what Amanda and I just have, you too will understand.
Kwa Heri Mission in Action. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
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