Next week, we’re heading to Bolivia. We’ll have a layover in the States for about 16 hours (in which I’ll be getting someone to look at my foot). And then we’re heading to La Paz.
I didn’t think a month would go by so quickly. Granted, it’s been a short month because we had launch at the beginning of the week, but it’s still been 3 weeks. And it has flown by. Some days have been longer than others, but they’ve all gone by. We have 4 full days left here, and two of them are going to be free days.
The funny part is, I didn’t really realize I was here until this past Tuesday. I was sitting in one of our weekly church services, and I was hanging out with my buddy Woudlee. From that seat, I could see the entire church, which was the first time I’d had that view. As I watched people praising, waving at my new Haitian friends from across the room, I felt overcome with feeling I don’t really know how to explain. I was happy and sad and thankful all at the same time.
I had finally realized I was here… just in time to leave.
It’s funny. After that, I sat down and thought about what it meant to be leaving. I’ll be saying goodbye to Woudlee and Stevenson and all the other kids here at the MOH orphanage that I’ve fallen in love with. And the translators and village champions who have been so kind and gracious. To the roosters that crow all hours of the day and the goats who sound like the world might be ending every time they baa.
How did it all happen so fast? And how could I be leaving so soon? And how am I going to get through this 10 more times over the next 10 months? This is what I signed up for, but I didn’t fully understand until this week.
One of the things I really wanted to work on during the race is being present. There is always a part of me that is somewhere else. And I thought the race would be the perfect chance to get over that. But what I realize is that part of me is going to be in every country that I leave behind. I’ll be leaving a little piece of myself. And that’s ok, but it also makes me sad.
I can only hope that the pieces that I leave behind are remembered by the people that I’ve met, because I’ll certainly remember them.
Ok, guys, I’m off to teach some English, but I’ll check in soon.
P.S.. It’s back to the fundraising game. Feel free to throw a small donation my way if you can! Every penny helps! XOXO
