winding down...

Today is Friday and our last day here in Africa! I can't believe how fast it has gone. The team is a little tired and emotionally drained from the entire experience. It will be nice to be back on US soil. I also know I can't wait to eat American food! I've lost some weight while I've been here as have many of the team members. I just can't get used to their spicy food! And one can only eat so much chicken and rice! :) The other day after I was under the weather someone offered me chicken and rice and I almost threw up when I smelled it! :) I'm thankful for all the food we have in America! This thanksgiving and ones to come will always be more meaningful to me after this experience.

Yesterday we traveled 3 hours from the Yankari game reserve back to Jos for 2 more days of work. The drive went fast and we visited 2 sites yesterday afternoon. The first was a school for the blind. It is absolutely amazing how resilient the people there are. Most are adults learning a type of trade they can use to prosper in their upcoming years. They need a well and supplies so we looked at meeting those needs. We also presented them with a few gifts. They were so happy and thankful. Its hard enough to see how poor the people in Africa are but then to see them with a disability like blindness. I know they must get their strength from God or they wouldn't be able to continue. I've learned so many lessons on this trip and on our way back from the school of the blind I learned another....I have been blessed with so much. What am I going to do with all the talents and abilities God has given me? Am I going to use them to benefit myself like I've been doing or use them to be a voice for those less fortunate? Well I decided right then and there that is exactly what I'm going to do. God made me with a little fire in my belly and I will use it to do more for others. I am so excited to come back and light the fire in others to help the people of Africa...especially Nigeria!

After we left the school of the blind we went to another orphanage. Now I've said in other blogs before how difficult this is for me. I knew this would be no different. We arrived at the orphanage to help with some project work. After that was finished we went to visit the children to give them beanie-babies! They loved their babies we gave them. They just held on to them for dear life. One child tried right away to take another child's beanie and a small fight broke out! :) it was cute though--they already were so protective of their gift we had given them! They also love to be held and they love all the attention. When we were getting ready to leave they hold on to your pants or cry or both. That is so hard for me! I walked out of the orphanage once again with tears running down my face! I hate leaving them there!!!

However I know I will be back someday and when I come back it will be to provide them with even more. I hope when I come back they all have been adopted!! That would make me so happy.

Okay I'll send a couple more blogs throughout the day on Fridays activities as well as some funny stories I still need to share. Keep checking the blog these next few days and thank you ALL for the prayers and kind words. They have helped me through this experience as many of you know it hasn't been easy!

Love you all!

Kelli