Thursday, July 15, 2010

Good times and Good byes

One thing’s for sure, Burkinabe people know how to throw a great “good-bye” party! Yesterday afternoon (after all the guys finished up their projects) we all went back to the Center for a good-bye and thank you party hosted by the Center for us Messiah students and faculty as well as for the teachers who are now on summer break and no longer at the Center. It was filled with many laughs from hilarious games and skits; great time of singing and praying together; a very encouraging message from the director, Ontieni, who compared our team to the Good Samaritan (although I think it would be safe for me to say each member on the team sees the people that make up the Center as Good Samaritans); pictures outside afterwards, and of course the Burkinabe favorite… Fanta (orange soda)! It has been such a blessing to get to know, meet, and share meals with some of the incredible people that make up the ministry at the Center. Their active engagement in furthering God’s Kingdom by serving the “least of these” in Mahadaga is incredibly challenging and encouraging to see. It was difficult for everyone to say “good-bye” to our newly discovered brothers and sisters in Jesus but looking forward to seeing them all again someday!
The party continued that evening when we went over to the Walsh’s for home-made chocolate chip cookies and ice cream that some on the team described as “good enough to die for” (cold, creamy good-ness), and a short worship and prayer time before the guys began packing.

Good-byes… so not a fun thing and so many in a row! I don’t know how the long-term missionaries here do it so often. The guys left this morning at 6:30 for their long journey back to Ouagadougou before headed back to the States. They are all loaded up with Nutella and peanutbutter sandwiches which should fill their bellies up until they arrive tonight in Ouaga. It was hard to see them leave… can’t say I’ll miss the random bugs that were brought in and show-cased in and around our house, but will for sure miss our team meals, discussions, and adventures!! It has most definitely been beyond wicked awesome to spend the last few weeks all together and looking forward to seeing everyone again in the fall! What an incredible team!

Dr. Hare, Bethany, me, and 2 Burkinabe individuals just finished up another day of the Summer Enrichment program for 15 students from the CAH. We all had a great time doing our different math and literacy centers and playing with them outside for recess. They are all such a joy to be around! Dr. Hare, Bethany, and I will be visiting the children’s homes in the next few days to see their lives outside of the Center and to create a digital picture frame story about their lives that will be kept in the library for them to see whenever they want. I am so looking forward to seeing and meeting the families who have been caring for and loving the children that we have grown to love and care for as well!
Super thankful for each one of you… we wouldn’t be able to be here without your continued prayerful support! Praying that today is filled with many God Sightings for you!
~Katie

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