Leaving Africa--only physically!!!!

This will be my last post from Africa! Wow, my time here has gone by so quickly. It will be hard to leave these precious friends I have made. It was worth my time to come to Africa just to meet IDAH. How can I even begin to describe this incredible lady. She is the director of GFR in Uganda and she truly cares for the POOREST of the poor. She easily could have more than she does because she is quite a prominent citizen here; extremely well known and highly respected. But she chooses to 'walk among the poor' and do her business with the local people. She knows God's love is with the poor so that is where she focuses her attention. She is such an advocate for them and they know it. The lovingly call her MOMMY.
The Team 3 people have been wonderful. There are ups and downs whenever you throw "10 totally different" people together, but the bond that tied us together was our love for the Lord! It was my honor to develop a friendship with each of them. I wish Carleigh (and Derek) could have been here with me to meet 'my girls', Kaitlin, JJ, Ashley and Sarah!!! She would have loved them and fit right in!! And I know the girls would have loved Carleigh. Hopefully, they can all meet in the future. Each of these girls love the Lord and want to continue serving in Uganda in the near future!! Our fearless leaders, Renata and Silvia, did a wonderful job leading. Like I told Renata, it isn't easy "leading' because you are the one making tough decisions and others may not agree, but, someone has to be in charge. We did some incredible activities, all exhausting and exhilerating, and we had very competent leaders to thank!!! I found out pretty early in the trip that Michelle is from 'my neck of the woods' in Illinois. (Plymouth) She even knows where Warsaw and Basco are. This woman makes the most energetic missionary look lazy. Her mind is constantly in gear trying to figure out how she is going to raise her next $1,000 for some poor family!! It was my honor to share this time in Africa with Michelle. The men in our group varied in age, from 40-10!!! Peter and Allan proved to be a huge asset to our team. You have not heard prayer until you have heard Peter!!!! Plus, he was such a help to me while we spent the extra night in Nairobi at the airport. It was a scarey, intimidating experience, and I felt safe in Peter's presence. And ALAN was a good sport and part of my entertainment the entire trip. I never once heard him whine or complain about anything!!
And what can I say about my special missionary partner, Dianne!!!! This mission trip was made more special to me because of her. Dianne was crushed beyond words when she had to leave me in Nairobi with Peter. I could see her hurt in her eyes as we separated. Because I was the one who had initiated this trip through CCC, I knew she felt some discomfort leaving me at the airport (but I know it was a God thing) When we were finally reunited, I could feel and see her pain and love for me. That scene will forever play in my memory and I will cherish it. It was the most beautiful feeling to know the love that another frieind has for me. And that is the love that our Lord has for each of us. HE cries when we are hurting and smiles when we are joyful. Thank you, Dianne, for spending 2 weeks with me, doing God's work in Uganda. You made this trip fun, memorable and worth it!! PINCH ME, DIANNE!!! WE'RE REALLY IN UGANDA!!