goodbye.

So much to say but so much to pack! I leave today and am so sad to go. I'm headed to the airport around two this afternoon, and am traveling from Monrovia to Accra, to Atlanta, to DC to Detroit.

Many of my friends were over at the Chapmans last night, and it was great to see everyone one last time. Lots of tears, but lots of laughs, too. I read something I wrote thanking my friends for everything, and I barely got the words out. Tears were streaming down my face before I even stood up to speak, but somehow I sniffled through it!

I have so much more to say about Liberia and will continue to post as my journey continues in the states. Thanks again to everyone who made this trip possible, and thanks again to my Liberian family. You will forever be in my heart.

there's something I want to tell you

that I'm not sure how to say

words are going to fail me

but I wrote this anyway

and I struggled to form the letters

that spelled what's in my heart

cause love's a language that can't be written

but I hope this is a start

you've made my time here special

in a million different ways

and made me feel welcome

from my first to my last days

you've shown me how I want to live

you taught me who God made me to be

I'm sad because I'm going to miss

being part of your family

thanks for all the joy we've shared

and the hard times you've seen me through

thank you all for all you've done

you have no idea how much I'll miss you

recovery.

Just got an update about Alberta that I wanted to share with you!:

“Alberta is healing well - she has had a number of dressing changes with no signs of infection. She has a little splint on that is called an airplane splint because it keeps her arm out like an airplane wing. She is cute and precious, such a sweet, little, spirited child. Pain level has been tolerable & we are looking for her discharge to be near the end of June.”

first class.

Can't believe I'm down to my last few days here in Africa! I have so much more to tell and a million photos to share, so I will continue to blog more lessons of Liberia even after I'm home.

Today I stopped by the Delta office to confirm my flight and pick up my ticket. I depart from Monrovia on Sunday at 5:45 pm and arrive at Detroit Metro at 9 pm on Monday. Somewhere during extending my stay and changing my departure date, there was a mix up with my ticket, and I managed to get bumped up to first class for FREE! I'm super excited to see what that's all about :)

fam photos.

It's been a busy week trying to check off the remaining items on my to-do-before-I-leave-Liberia list, and a few days ago I crossed off shooting the Chapman's family photos! I wanted to give them some updated fam photos as a thank you for taking me in the past few months, and below are two of my favorites.

chopper.

beginning of the end.

Today was the first day of my last week in Liberia. I fly back to the states on Sunday, and I am not at all ready to go.

The goodbyes started today, and will continue throughout the week. Many Samaritan's Purse employees have projects in the bush, and are always traveling up country for days and weeks at a time. Joni heads up tomorrow and won't return until Monday, so today was the last time I'll see her....for who knows how long.

That's the hardest part about saying goodbye in this situation; not knowing how long you're saying goodbye for. As long as you and your far-away friend are both in the United States, planes, trains, and automobiles can easily get you together. But when cross-continental travel, thousand dollar airfare and visas are required, planning a trip to see your pals gets complicated. I'm hoping that seeing my friends here again is a matter of "when" and not "if," but realisticaly, this week might very well be the last time I ever see some of them.

In three and a half months they have gone from co-workers to friends and friends to family. And as excited as I am to see my family back home, I am very sad to leave behind the one I found here.

good news.

Today I heard from Sierra Leone that Alberta had her surgery!! Doctors say the surgery went well, and she is currently on the ship recovering.

In other news, the well in the Kendeja community was able to be fixed! Not only did this well supply clean water to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage, but was also the ONLY well in the entire Kendeja community that didn't produce salty water. I am so excited that The A Campaign was able to fund the repairs. Thank you to those who have supported the campaign thus far!