Our good-byes

Yesterday, we left Lesotho at 9am so we could drive to South Africa and catch a plane to England. I spent some time on Monday helping feed the BG kids lunch and dinner. It was so relaxing and I even had the joy of getting pooped on one last time before we left :) Tuesday morning our family went through the playgroup, office and baby houses to say good-bye to all our friends. My kids kept describing it as bittersweet. They so badly want to go home (MI) but they will miss the staff so much so saying good-bye made them sad.

There were a few moments in our farewells that really touched my heart and I want to write them in my blog, which is my personal journal, so I can remember them if I ever feel unappreciated. Monday night I was sitting down to dinner and got a phone call from our nurse. She was upset because I was in a meeting until 4pm and she did not get to say good-bye. She was worried I would leave before she arrived to work on Tuesday. We had a conversation the day before and shared with each other about how much we have appreciated each other and how much we would miss each other. Due to some issues with the labor department, we are being forced to hire a different nurse so unless there is a large intervention by God, she will be working somewhere else before we return from our furlough and we are really going to miss each other.

As we were walking through the houses hugging each house mother and relief worker, there was one staff who has been one of the most vocal staff in encouraging me since Bryan and I took over. As we hugged her, her eyes flooded with tears. It felt special to know that she would miss us, but it also made me feel bad to leave her knowing that one of the biggest fears of all our staff is that Bryan and I will not return. So many volunteers make promises that they will return, but then they never come back.

I was proud of myself for keeping my emotions under control during these good-byes, but I was not to make it without tears. As I was leaving the final baby house, one of the house staff ran out and put some money in my hand. I asked what the money was for and she said it was for drinks. I knew that not accepting the money would be offensive, but taking it was very hard. We do our best to provide a good wage, but it is not enough for them to share with us. I know it may not seem that big of a deal, but to me it was one of the most thoughtful gestures of giving. I feel unworthy of such a gift and it brought me to tears as I reflect how much I love the staff and how much I will miss them and the kids at BG for the next 5 months!

We have made it to England and I will share more of that with you next time I blog. Also Elijah is feeling better, just not much of an appetite yet.