Good Byes

Today is our last full day in Namwianga. This morning a small group of students that needed extra hours due to illness headed off with supervisors Kara and Carol to the Havens. The rest of the group stayed behind after breakfast and packed up all of our supplies that we have been using the past few weeks and organized it into suitcases and put it in the HIZ storage container across from the Mann house. Once we were finished packing we were free to go to the Havens until lunch. I walked to the Haven with Ashley, Mel, and Dara. We arrived just in time to hang out in Haven 2 some play time with the kids before tea time. After tea time I continued to stay at Haven 2 with the kids there until it was shema time! Once all the kids were gathered to eat shema I left Haven 2 and walked to Haven 1 where I spent the rest of my time till lunch.

At Haven 1 I held Rita. She has grown so much since we have been here, and she is doing quite well. She has gotten over her pink eye and is feeding very well. I fed her and rocked her until she fell asleep. Next I picked up Irene. Irene is doing better as well. She has gotten over her sickness, but she still has difficulty feeding. She is becoming more expressive though. She smiled often as I played with her, which is always rewarding.

After lunch most of the group headed back to the Havens to say our good byes. I spent the first part of the afternoon in Haven 1 with Irene and Emmanuel. I fed Irene until Mel got there. (Irene is one of Mel's favorites) Then I played with Emmanuel the younger, Joy's twin brother (one of my favorites). He was so expressive and smiley today. I sat next to Chelsea on the couch who was holding Joy. We were both so pleased to see how well he was doing on the last day. When we first arrived he struggled maintaining attention or eye contact for very long, but today he was totally opposite. He was doing so well!

Eventually I had to put Emmanuel down and walk to Haven 2 where my true loyalties lie. Maureen was there to greet me, along with Twapegwa. Maureen spent most of her time that afternoon in my lap as I took pictures of the other toddlers around me. Maureen has become very attached to me and would push other children away from me who might have been interested in sitting with us. Oh Maureen. Eventually I put her down and picked up Marcus, who was crying. I think some of the children could since that some of the group was upset about the last day, because they were all whiny and crying. After tea time and eating bananas it was time for us to go. We all said our good byes to the children. I put down Marcus and said good bye to Twapegwa, Maureen, and Leah. It was time to go.

On the walk back to the house it was very quite until!... Jumping picture time! Last year Kara and I and others took jumping pictures on the path on the way back from the Havens to lighten the mood. This was very much needed again this year, and so we took some awesome jumping pictures to boost the morale before we arrived for dinner.

Tonight for dinner Rod made this wonderful delicious soup with wildebeest in it! It was so good I had two very large helpings of it. Apparently it is a South African traditional meal. I was very impressed. After dinner I spent most of my time with Webster and Justine. They were both very sad that we were leaving. Webster told many funny stories, and we listened to his favorite song "Good Girls" on repeat...many, many times. : ) Eventually it was time for bed. I left for Justine and Webster my head lamp, sweatshirt, and extra batteries. They were very thankful and I was glad to share.

Tomorrow we will attend out last church service here in Namwinaga, and then head to Livingstone after lunch, and spend the rest of the week there until we fly home on Friday.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Ben