punto. ya.

That's what my friend Melania says when something is finished. My time here is nearly over- I leave in two days. The last few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. I've been anxious, excited, depressed, happy, angry, relieved and I've lauged until I've cried and of couse I have just plain cried. There are plenty of things I am more than happy to leave behind... I think we all feel that way to some extent when seasons of our lives come to an end. I am ecstatic to leave the geckos, the cold water, the finicky electricity...just to name a few...

Leaving the kids is another story. Saying good bye to them was so difficult. Some of the children were really mature, gave me long loving hugs and then added "te quiero Georgia, adios" when they were finished. Others were sad, but there were few tears. The kids get used to aid workers and missionaries coming and going. From the beginning, they understood in their own little way that my time here was finite.

The only surprise I had was one little boy that was very angry with me. He told me I was bad and ugly and even slapped me with his belt, but he wouldn't leave my side. He found many reaons to be upset with me yesterday, but none rational. After many attempts to talk to him, he sat beside me for a long time and was so angry he couldn't speak. He finally got up and left to go home. I let him go but saw that he had stopped beside a tree by the school gate. I walked over and realized he was crying. He was still mad and wouldn't speak to me. I gave him a big hug and then left him for lack of knowing what else to do. It broke my heart to leave him, but I know can can still pray for him and support him in that way.

Despite the sad goodbyes, I'm packing and processing and getting very excited about being in Texas in just a few days. People keep asking me if its weird that I'm leaving or if I'm really sad to be leaving. I tell them of course I am sad. I'm leaving 160+ amazing children the I love and have invested in for seven months. But I also tell them that I left people I love in the United States that I cannot wait to return to. And for that reason, I'm not so sad.

Please pray for me over the next few weeks. Chances are I'll need it. Transitions are not so much my thing. Please pray that I'll keep my emotions in check and that I will healthily process being back in the US. Please pray for me as I transition financially as well. I will be looking for part time jobs in Texas and in SC. Please pray that God will provide a way for me to earn some money!

Please continue praying for the ministry here on the North Coast. The children are so precious and they need your support more than you know!

God Bless,
GA