We are now sitting at the airport in Nairobi waiting for the plane to be called.
It has been a busy day with just too many good byes. The children at El Shaddai school did a wonderful presentation this morning, each class preforming a song they had written along with a dance drama and poetry. It was so moving to hear the children sing songs of thanks for porridge, shoes, education from their sponsors. All too soon it was over and we moved from the school hall into the bright sunshine where the children – who are now firm friends with names and not just a sea of smiling faces – shook our hands, stroked our hair and held our hands.
Elsbeth took a small group of girls and taught them to knit or crochet. The children from one class spent time drawing pictures for a school in the UK, they were so excited to think that the drawings they had drawn were going on a plane to England! All too soon it was time to say good bye, tears began to flow as the children crowded the truck waving.
Next stop was Watu wa Maana…
Many of the schools in Kenya have been on strike but today the children were back to school. It was great to enter the grounds of Watu and find a peace and tranquility that wraps itself around you. It was lovely to watch the children return home from school; each one coming over to shake hands. Saying “Good bye” is getting difficult now.
The nuns we have been staying with have been such fun. We ate our last meal with them this evening and then they all lined up to hug each one as we piled into the truck.
So, almost time to board the plane. I think we will all be leaving a piece of us in Africa … but also carrying wonderful memories in our hearts. Africa and its people have so much to teach us. The people of Theta have so little but believe in a big God who loves them so much and as a result they smile so much more!!