I washed and hung my clothes while Bhoke and Amina cleaned up cat hair. The missionaries' cat is my #10housekeeping problem! We had tea and butter bread when Anna arrived, and then we set off to Sirari to exchange money and make our reservation for bus tickets to Nairobi tomorrow.
We were back in Tarime by 10:00, where we visited the bank, the post office, and picked up some chips for lunch. Before we finished eating, Teddy and her daughter, Happy, came to visit. They brought me a scarf/shawl which will be perfect for the plane and the winter weather. Just as we were ready to leave the mission house, the heavens opened up. So, I got out my computer and showed Tanzanian slide shows. (Rain often changes plans in a culture where cars are rare.)
When the rain stopped, we went by the Social Security office and then to town where Anna did some shopping. About 4:00, we returned to Gamasara.
As always, there were hugs and kisses all around. I set up the Gamasara Christmas slide show so the kids could see their most recent pictures. Meanwhile, Anna supervised the kids' work on a gift for Jocelyn, a recent volunteer.
Anna sat me down in the dining hall and escorted all of the kids to the boy's hallway. They sang me a song asking me to come back to Angel House and then filed into form a circle. Each Angel held a paper with a message to me. They continued singing as one-by-one each Angel presented his message to me. Then several kids spoke.
When Anna asked me to say a few words, I was overwhelmed with love. I told the kids they will always have a Bibi Bonnie who loves them very much. We will always be together in God's Spirit. As much as they wanted me to, I couldn't promise I will be back. God's plan is always a surprise to me. After all, I ended up in Tanzania on my way to South Korea!
I handed out small bags of treats to each kid. Anna read letter from Jocelyn to the kids. Then Rosie and William prayed.
I called Kennedy to drive me home. I'd promised to see him today. We needed to get a picture of the two of us on the pikipiki. We had a heart-to-heart conversation on the way to Tarime. I told him my idea of heaven is a place where everyone you love is, a place where you never have to say good-bye. I also told Kennedy what I told my grand kids just before I left them. "When you miss me, look at the sky and remember we share that same sky, our love for each other, and God's love. (I owe that thought to my brother who wrote it in a letter from Viet Nam.). Kennedy repeated what I'd said and thanked me for teaching him something today.
I asked Kennedy if I should email Holly and the new volunteers to have them sing to him. I thought maybe he wouldn't miss me so much if they did that. He was too polite to answer me, but he said he'd be at the mission house at 8:00 tomorrow to say good-bye.
I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight. The bus ride to Nairobi will provide plenty of time for that. Tonight, I think I better understand how Mary felt when "she remembered all of these things, treasuring them in her heart."
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