march 1
I drove out of my home that had been my home for three months. It was one of the saddest and hardest things I had ever done. Thank you Jesus that it was so hard.
At the beginning of my time in Ethiopia I really had a hard time. It was a beautiful ministry I was stuck in a lot of talk and apathy and thank the Lord that He pulled me out of that. I was surrounded by the most amazing people that loved so well. If I only knew on the first day how much I would fall in love with all the kids and the staff of HOPEthiopia. I am grateful for every second spent with them.
Our last week in Ethiopia was filled with amazing last moments. I tried to plan something fun for every night to make more memories. On Sunday we had a communion feast with all the staff that had become some of our closest friends. We laughed, broke bread together and worshiped. It was such a beautiful time of thankfulness.
On Monday we had a HUGE water fight. We had a couple small water fights with the kids before but this one was full on war. All the kids were there and the whole squad was going hard. There was so much joy. And we might have given some of the kids hypothermia.
On Tuesday we had our last camp fire with the kids. Every last was just so sweet because we got to reflect on all the other times. The kids jumped over the fire, ran around it and we listen to “waving flag”, on repeat. Burkka, my best friend, hung out with me all night and it was just a blast and 1/2.
On Wednesday we had a CARNIVAL !!! Every team had a game and prizes. The prizes are really what the kids loved. We had the fishing game, bowling, parchete, sports, popping balloons, jump roping, and getting a cookie in your mouth. It was so fun, especially to watch the kids face after they got candy or cookies!
Thursday night, our last night we had our classic movie night (Every Friday we have movie night with the kids). We played all the videos that we had made from Ethiopia (my link is below). We also had a surprise for them, we made them a video since they love movies so much. Everyone on the squad gave a little a message to there favorite kids. It was such a sweet moment to have Burkka in my lap as he laughed and watched. After the movies we sang our classic songs and had a dance party, it was the best.
I walked burkka down to his house asking him about his dreams. Hugged him goodnight and made him promise that he would come back from school tomorrow to say goodbye to me. As I walked back to my house under the most beautiful stars in the world, I cried just because I was so thankful for all the growth, memories and fun that I had had in this home.
Friday: the very much so dreaded day. We took group photos and then had to say goodbye to the kindergartens because they went to school first. It was a very long day of goodbyes because the kids went to school at different times. Then we hung out, played and packed with all the kids that were home. Has to say goodbye to some of my favorites that morning. Walked them to the edge of the property and watched them walked away is was so sad.
Then the afternoon kids came home from school right before we were about to leave and for the last two hours that we were there Burkka was in my arms the whole time. It was the longest goodbye of my life but I didn’t want it to end. We had to say goodbye to all the staff of HOPEthiopia which was so sad. And then I hugged Burkka maybe 100 times and every time he would whisper “goodbye, okay” and “I love you, okay”, It was so sad. I was sobbing because I just didn’t know how to leave these people that I loved so so much. Burkka walked me to the bus and said goodbye one last time. Personally not a fan of goodbyes.
So thankful for every moment spent with those people and the place that I experienced growth like never before. Thanks Jesus, for hard goodbyes.
