Last Day at the Mission....

Sunday was our last day at the mission...I was NOT ready to leave....was dreading this day. Several of the Zambians were coming early before church to say goodbyes...really sucked. It was so strange...here we had been going nonstop all week and then...suddenly...it's time to leave. So many emotions were hitting me all at once....I was a mess. Church service was long...but I was just trying to soak it all up...take in everything...I didn't want to forget one moment of this day. I took a ton of snaps...just trying to capture it all....I'm sure people thought I was crazy! I found a seat up front of the tabernacle next to Cody...on the ground...and as soon as I sat down, Barbara found me and sat next to me....then I felt someone tap my shoulder. It was my friend Mary from Lusaka...a girl I had met 2 years ago. She found me....she had seen me walk in the tabernacle and came and found me. It was so good to see her! She had to leave half way through the singing...I am so thankful I got to see her. There was many singing specials that were going on...it became kinda humorous for those of us who were sitting on the ground....we would stand up for one song, then they would say sit down...then someone else would come up and lead another song...stand up again...then sit down...stand up...then sit down...it was fun. During one of the songs these 2 lil guys (probably about 2 or 3 yrs old) were dancing right in front of me....it made my heart smile so big. One of them looked like a lil old man and he was just shuffling around...he was so cute....I know God put them there to put a smile on my face as my heart was already sad knowing I was going to leave this place shortly. I loved watching them. In spite the sadness of knowing I was going to be leaving soon...I really enjoyed the service...seeing all my Zambian friends...then came time to say "goodbye"...I was dreading it. Barbara was first. She had brought me a couple of long spoons used for stirring nshima....it was a precious gift. Elaine and I prayed with her before we said goodbye. K, that was a hard one. Then Kasto, Percos, Brian...the list goes on and on. As Elaine and I were walking back to the mission where everyone was getting ready to board the bus...the tears were just pouring out of my eyes...then Kennedy Kapolo met me on the path and hands me this package...telling me he had made me this gift. I waited to open it till I got on the bus....it was a handmade picture made out of seeds of some sort that had an elephant, a scripture verse and my own signature on it. What an awesome gift....I still can't believe he copied my signature...I was so grateful. As hard as it was to say goodbye's, Bobby helped me gain some perspective on how I was feeling....he shared with me how Scripture says we are to be instant in season and out of season....things will be constantly changing....and I must learn to adjust and change with them. I had no control over having to leave without getting a good chunk of time with my Zambian friends....but I knew I needed to embrace the lessons I had been taught and the ones still to come...it was hard leaving the mission...yet I do know I will return there. Hopefully someday soon!



On the road again!!! We were off for Lusaka...stayed the night there then on to Livingstone the next day. The bus ride was pretty much packed but I did enjoy getting to talk with others and relive the moments and memories that we had just experienced together! We had dinner in Lusaka and a short nights rest before leaving for Livingstone on Monday morning.