They are gone

We have just arrived at the guest house after dropping Amy and Meghan off at the airport. It was hard to say goodbye this time. I always love being with Amers and Meg was a great addition. Spending 6 weeks in the states and then having Amy come here for almost 3 weeks... I needed that extra time with Amy and yet it makes it a bit harder to let her go. We will be alright- instead I guess I should be thankful to have a sister who is also my best friend.

We packed as much as we could into our time together. We started with a couple day with the kids getting ready for a bible school we put on in a neighboring village. We had 20 of our kids come with us to help as well as all the kids helping get the crafts, snacks, and whatever else we needed ready. It was good to have our JCC kids participate in giving to others- time, service, and gifts as well as to have their own opportunity to share their faith and what God has done in their lives. We had a blast. The village could not have been better. We put on a few plays, had some fun craft times, sang, danced, learned some verses and had a GREAT time.

After our last day we headed out to the farm- gotta check out the place that is close to dad's heart. It was great to see Harry, Haja and family and the workers. I just love them. They have done a lot of work on the farm- a lot still needs to be done but you can see all they have put into it. We put in an order for Benny Cake that we would pick up on Saturday on our way to Rutile. That night we went out to see JK and his group perform a couple of their songs. Amy and Meghan both rode home on our friend Rainny's Honda- it was a funny site but they all made it back to the hut safely. It was now my turn to show my African cooking skills. The next night I cooked a fine meal for the 5 of us and then we started the generator and watch a good old American movie while putting up Christmas decorations.

Our next adventure was a day trip to Kenema. We stopped in Jembe on the way to see Tenneh (JK's sister) where she works and then went to JK's work. Rainny also came with us and since his brother is married to Tenneh- he spends quite a bit of time in Kenema as well (Tenneh and Rueben live in Kenema and that is where JK stays while he is working). JK had to stay a work a bit longer so Rainny took us on a little tour of Kenema. We saw this litle river where they have some of their baptism services and learned a lot about the war and were able to see some of the after effects still visible today and get a good explanation from Rainny on what it was really like.

When JK finished work we met up with him, Renner, and Rico to head out in search of Monkey Soup. That seems to be the mission each time a new person visits Kenema. We had a great walk- climbed a few trees, discussed which paths to take more than once, tasted a little of the palm whine, but were not able to get Monkey soup. The lady traveled for Christmas. Next time. After dinner out we headed back to Bo a bit late but filled the car ride with plenty of questions and good conversation.

Christmas had arrived. Christmas Eve we had dinner with my Minnesota friends- a good old chicken, yams with gravy, cranberries and stuffing dinner complete with pumpkin pie. It was nice to have a bit of home for the holidays. After our usual game of darts the girls and I went home to crash. Christmas was here and we had a lot to do. We had arranged for a fine meal and a trip to the River beach in Bandajuma. It was a blast to swim with the kids- watching the ones who have never been in the water like that get over their fear and splash around with huge smiles was something I won't soon forget. That evening Meg, Amers and I headed to JK's families for a dinner they made especially for us. Good conversation, food, and time spent together was a fine way to spend Christmas.

We were now in for a treat. Our first Boxing Day. This is a big day here- the parties bigger than Christmas Day. Amy, Meg, Rainny, JK and I headed for Rutile. We toured the mines with our friends Abu and Peter and headed to JK's dad's village where the Paramount Chief had a place for us to stay- and in style. After getting our things settled and spending some time with them we headed to the big Outing. We ran into a number of other people we knew, had some laughs and danced a bit before heading back to the village. After a good nights rest and plenty of food prepared for us we left for Mattru Jong. We took a wooden ferry boat that was pulled across the river by guys using a pulley system. It was a bit interesting getting the jeep on board and off- but we did. Our friend Solomon French's family lives in Mattru and we arrived at their house to find they had prepared a delicious lunch for us. After our bellies were full we headed back to the river for a swim. Amy and I swam across and got a few crazy looks from those watching us- but yeah it wasn't the first time or the last. Once again we headed back to Bo in the dark and filled our time with more questions, songs and bouncing around on the road to keep us all up.

We managed to sneak in one day at home spent mostly with the kids and then it was off to Freetown, Charlotte Falls and the beach. We spent two nights at David's and tried to get in as much as we could here too. Our favorite part had to be our visit to River #2 beach. It was BEAUTIFUL. The sand was so white, the sunset was pink, the water was warm but not too warm- we could have stayed a whole lot longer. I know we will be going back again in the not too far future.

Back to Bo for New Years Eve. Service with the kids at the home before heading into town for church with friends until we rang in the New Year. After all our traveling we pretty much went straight home and were in bed by 1. New Years day we had an appointment with my friend Violet for Meg and Amy to get their hair done. I was back and forth to the home and other places while Violet worked hard for 6 hours to get the girls to be African beauties. We finished just in time to get home for the New Years Day party with the kids once again. A perfect way to end our trip- a night of singing, eating and dancing with the kids.

This morning we finished packing up, leaded the car and headed to Freetown. We met Rainny at the ferry and took a fine wooden boat filled with 100 people across to the airport. One last African meal of rice and stew and it was time for our goodbyes. Yes I might have cried. Maybe because I am a little tired, maybe because I am sad, and maybe because we had such a great time.

It is hard to capture everything- especially since I am writing this while prying my eyes open because I want to sleep so bad- I didn't want to leave you hanging any longer though. Maybe next time I will have to fill you in on everything else- like the staff party the night we arrived, all our car trouble and how Amy and I have become quite the jeep mechanics, flat tires, Meghan getting scared by the police that she would be arrested, trips to the market, new friends, trouble walking, Christmas boots, oh and so much more.

Next time.... It is time to get a little sleep before getting up so we can head back to Bo by 5 and it is on to my time with Elle and Lynea who are here visiting from America as well. I can say that after 6 weeks traveling at home- 3 weeks here with Amy and Meg- 1 1/2 weeks with Elle and Lynea- I am going to be ready for a bit of R&R- maybe even some time completely to myself.

Thanks for your continues prayers and support- I pray you had a great Christmas with your families and friends and a good New Year as well.