A Month Later

Wow.

Has it really been almost a month?  I was reminded of my lack of blog by T’s email this morning.  Kenya got crazily busy after returning from the Masai Mara.

I didn’t update then, because it was all Secret, but J&S got a referral from Thailand right before we went to the Mara.  This threw all plans into disarray.  They had planned to be in Kenya at least until the end of the year, obviously all plans were based on the unlikelihood of getting a referral during this time.  When, out of the blue, the phone call came, everything went into overdrive.

I managed to extend my trip by five days to the end of the month, and days became crazily long stretches of school prep - broken only by school and meal prep!  S worked late into the nights trying to write schemes for classes and organise the school for her absence, and at the same time look (and hope) for a replacement.  Unfortunately at this point in time there isn’t yet a replacement but the teachers are holding the fort themselves.

Ira, making clay letters

Precious, bouncing on the ball I brought 

Gaitin (top) and Eric in white shirts trying to show off for me... and lots of other kids

It was quite emotional towards the end of the trip knowing that not only was I leaving but also, a few days afterwards, S&J would also be going.  They have to be in Ireland for at least a year with the new baby before the adoption is finalised.  In fact, at this moment in time, they have just arrived in Thailand and are visiting the orphanage in just a few hours!

Saying goodbye to Bravine 

Saying goodbye to Bravine was incredibly hard.  I just wanted to bundle him into my suitcase and bring him home.  He is such an incredible kid and deserves so much more.  At just six, he is in second grade, full of life, mischief, and has the funniest snickering laugh.  He has a very tough home life, needs a lot of loving, and I hope he will be okay.  I will be continuing to sponsor him.

All too soon, my stay in Kenya drew to a close.  I finished school prep a day before I left so thankfully could take a breath to pack, and it was a little easier saying goodbye to my sister knowing that I would be visiting in September.  

I hope that I will see Kenya, and all these awesome little kids, again!  (Especially as D wants to come too!)