Jambo!

It's hard to believe my time in Kenya is coming to an end. As Steph and I prepare for the next step in our journey, we are doing a lot of reflecting about all that we've learned here in Kenya. It's been a wonderful experience, something I will never, ever forget. The last few days were filled with playing with the children of Sidai, shipping packages home, packing, and spending time with our friends for the last time. Today we are heading to Nairobi to meet up with Steph's friend and then we hop on a plane early tomorrow morning for Dublin, Ireland.

I knew saying goodbye to the Sidai children would be difficult. Before we left the orphanage yesterday, the teacher led the children in a song of farewell. They thanked us for our time and wished us safe travels. As I stood there looking at their faces for the last time, I tried so hard to hold back my tears but was unsuccessful. Lucy gave us each a beaded necklace made by the children. Esther, a girl who always ran to give me a hug when I first arrived at the orphanage every day, gave me another necklace. Steph was also given a necklace from Caroline, a girl whom she grew close with. Antony expressed his gratitude and told me I will always be remembered as the white girl that can play soccer (football). Ha! It was so hard to leave. I couldn't even bring myself to hug my two favorite boys (Alan and Dennis, brothers) goodbye for fear I would never let go. They are just the cutest little things and I want to bring them home!!

We said goodbye to Grace and Stanley this morning which was also extremely hard. She calls us her daughters and I know she truly means it. While I was so sad to say goodbye, I know it wasn't for the last time. I believe we will maintain contact for many years to come. It's amazing how in just one month I feel like I have formed another family. They clearly demonstrated their Christian faith through the hospitality they extended to us. It was such a blessing to have been a part of their lives. She sadly told us last night during tea time that she wanted to buy us a gift to remember her by but was unable to get to the city in time yesterday. We told her there is absolutely no way we could ever forget her or her family. I said that all I wanted was to do what we were doing, chatting over our last tea time. With that, she hopped up and announced she had the perfect departing gift. I now have a 1 kg bag of tea in my backpack!

A few nights ago while reading in bed, I was struck by a passage from Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul -- "Time would airbrush away the filthy streets, foul water and overpopulation, but these beautiful souls would come home with me and stay there, somewhere deep in my heart." I know that when I look back on this time in Kenya, I won't be thinking about the garbage lining the streets or dodging goat and cow manure in my path, but I will think about the smiling faces of the Sidai children, Grace's sweet voice and laughter, and Stanley's hilarious one-liners.

It is a bittersweet time... I am so sad to leave my new friends/family but am excited about the next part of the journey. Ireland...here we come!

Kwiheri,
Kristin