Kwaheri, means goodbye which is what we said to all the kids today.
Knowing today would be goodbye was hard for me. When I came in 2013 I left my heart here. I knew the trip would come to an end which would be accompanied by a lot of tears. I knew that what we have accomplished here was a blessing to them. The number of tears were worth what an amazing impact we made on them for the many years to come. Now all we can do is cover all the children and Project Lucas workers in prayer.
Today we woke up and ate another delicious breakfast at the Heart House then we were on our way to the Giraffe Center. We thought we would get there around the same time as the kids, but here you're always on Kenya time. We ended up stopping at a mall near the Giraffe Center and still managed to be there about an hour before the kids. While we were waiting, the team fed the giraffes so that when the kids got there they would be our primary focus. Some team members placed the food between their lips so the giraffe would kiss them. Others were too grossed out to think about letting a big slobbery giraffe tongue lick their face.
After waiting patiently on the kids they finally arrived. We all went into a room where a worker told them about the giraffes and then they lined up to feed them. For some kids, it was their first time being there and others had been there before. It was amazing to see all their faces light up with smiles. The younger children were scared to let the giraffe take food from their hands and others didn't mind. I enjoy taking the kids to a place they may only be able to go to once in their life. It was truly something amazing to be a part of.
The few hours we spent with them feeding giraffes and listening to the workers flew by. Really every day here has flown by but today is one day you really wish would go slower. The original plan was to take them to the Giraffe Center, go to lunch, and then meet the kids back at the facility, but sadly that didn't work out. With the kids being late we had to say our goodbyes at the Giraffe Center.
It was difficult to say goodbye to them just because they were eating lunch and we couldn't really pick them up and play with them. Some of the older kids began to cry which really made me start to cry as well as some of the other team members. I was teary eyed almost the whole day just thinking about leaving. My little girl Ruth is really too young to fully understand what is going on. Which in some ways is good, but it also makes it hard.
After saying our goodbyes and after all the tears were shed we went to the Java House for lunch. Java House is a more Americanized restaurant in Kenya. It was great comfort food after a hard day. Some of us even had amazing dessert and when we got back to the Heart House we were all too full to even really think about eating dinner.
Goodbyes are never easy, but I know God will take care of them. A verse I have used since the last trip is John 14:18 "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." That just gives me comfort. It lets me know we may be leaving and it may be heartbreaking, but it brings me joy knowing God is taking care of them. When we fully trust in Him, He will provide. That has been proven throughout my life, so I know He will provide for all these amazingly beautiful kids and the workers of Project Lucas.
Without goodbyes memories wouldn't exist and that is very true.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to McKenna! I hope you had a great day with the giraffes licking your face and enjoyed the children singing to you!
Love you Mallory and Ridge (from Jameson)!!
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