Today we are getting ready to come home.  Tomorrow we go back to the hospital in Tamale, and the last time it took all day, so we are packing today for our departure on Saturday.  Already I am dreading getting into Accra.  When we get to Accra, after we get our luggage, tons of poor people are there, trying to take your luggage, some to carry it to the check in place for you for cash, and some to steal it.  And "no thank you" means nothing to them.  Oh yeah...I'm dreading it!

I have mixed feelings about leaving, as I wrote before. 

I AM NOT going to miss
     -being stared at.  Everyone stares at us here like we're from Mars.  I will no longer ever stare at
           another person in my life.  It is very disconcerting!!
     -taking bucket baths...seriously, you stand in a shower next to a bucket of water, use a pail to pour
           water on yourself, wash yourself making sure none goes in your mouth, and it's cold water.
     -being hit.  About half of the children here can understand what you are saying, but cannot
            communicate themselves, so they hit me all...day...long.
     -the flies...oh the flies!  Never again will I complain about flies.  I'm not kidding when I say there
             are 100 flies around at any given time, and it's worse when we are eating and when the
             babies have dirty diapers.  Oh the flies.  It's so bad!!!!
     -the food.  Don't get me wrong...I am very grateful for the food we are given.   And some of it
             hasn't been that bad, but I miss salads, and vegetables, and meat, and french fries!

I AM going to miss
     -getting up in the morning and getting more hugs than I know what to do with.  They are so
            sweet!!  They have so much love to give!
     -seeing the spark of knowledge or recognition in a child, and knowing that I was a part of
            bringing that light into his/her eyes.
     -the sisters and helpers that work so hard here to help these children survive
     -the closeness I feel to God here,far removed from the distractions back home.  And the time I
            spend in prayer and meditiation.
     -the children.  They are the reason for this home. And they are so beautiful.  There are about 6
            who I'd like to bring home with me.  Just smuggle them in my suitcase.
     -the silliness and the singing...the joyful sound of music sung to the Lord.  It's so beautiful!! 

The day after we leave, maybe the day after that, Paula and I will probably be forgotten by these kids.  They have too many other things to think about, namely survival.  But I will never forget them.  They have nestled in my heart, and are there to stay.  Even Felicia...who, at times, I swear was put here to remind us all to pray for patience!!!!

I cannot wait to get back to the States and post pictures and videos for you to see what I've been seeing.  I thank you for your patience in that regard, and hope my writing has been enough to keep you coming back, and not too boring!!!

God Bless you!  Please keep the children in your prayers!  love, Sarah