The Last Week

July 21-July 31.

Wow. Let me tell you a little about our last 10 days in Zambia then I’ll explain the shock of coming home.

At Victoria Falls during the Lunar Rainbow.

Monday was a very good morning in the Havens and the afternoon was at the Mungaila’s. We came home and made a big wonderful dinner because it was Kam’s last night in Kalomo. Boooooo! So we tried to just spend time together laughing. Since we love playing hand and foot while listening to music we succeeded on the laughing more than crying goal. Tuesday morning we packed up and went to the Havens so Kam could say her goodbyes. I was already feeling sad as it was becoming very apparent that we only had 7 days left. What? No! Where did the last 6 weeks go?! We enjoyed good food, fun games (H&F), and the best company while in Livingstone the rest of the day. We went to celebrate Hanna and Meagan’s birthday and get Kamri to the airport. God even showed us more of His glory with a LUNAR RAINBOW!!! Awesome is the only place to being because we were all in awe. A few times a year, at locations with lots of mist/water (mostly waterfalls) when the moon is full you can see a rainbow at night. I had never heard of these, but it was an incredible sight to behold! 

Lunar Rainbow at Victoria falls as viewed by Wikipedia.
The shutter has to be opened so long to get the rainbow colors
that it looks light daylight, but it's definitely very dark.

Saying goodbye to Kamri on Wednesday was not my definition of fun. She is such a sweet servant! I have loved getting to know her and have become so grateful for the moment she found me in London. Kam loves her veggies. I won’t be able to eat cabbage without thinking of her. Praying God lets our paths cross more! We spent a little time in the curio market after lunch buying some souvenirs. It was very neat to see everything they had but totally overwhelming to make decisions when under pressure to buy from everyone. We made it back to Kalomo with time to spent at the Havens! I helped feed nsima dinner at Haven 2, then helped Bina Jay, one of the night aunties, with toilet time. At night they wash the clothes before putting the kids in bed. It didn’t take very long. The boys talked to us while we washed there in the bathroom and that time was one of the closest things to a perfect moment. We joked while washing. Sang while dressing the boys. Laughed as I hugged them goodnight and put them in bed. The older boys were helping the younger boys. I loved everything about that hour. On the way home, the power went out, so girls devo was canceled, and we tried to get used to the house with 4 not 5.

Thursday and Friday were good days at the Havens. We stayed as long as we could wanting to soak up all the time possible with babies and aunties. Friday singing was wonderful. I’m going to miss the singing for sure. Florence also came home with us Friday night. Meagan wrote a blog about her, please read it HERE. When she wants to show it, this baby girl has the biggest smile! Saturday we spent most of the day with the Mungaila’s getting them settled in their house. Again, another goodbye. But I already talked about that. We went out to The Rock to watch the sunset before dinner. Beautiful. Once it starts falling, it hides so fast. Sunday was church and then a good afternoon with Katy. She had been a little sickly the last few days but had a good afternoon, until church. The she projectile vomited about 15 minutes into service. We walked home right away. I held her and let her sleep until the other girls came back from church, and we took the babies back to the havens. Monday and Tuesday were filled with as much cuddling and loving as possible. We played, swung, rocked, laughed, washed, cooked, read and sang with the Aunties and the children. Monday night we had dinner with the other missionaries that live at Namwinga. Tuesday night we went around and said goodbyes. Booo... Then went home for dinner, games, more goodbyes, packing and eventually bed.

 

Rodwell smiling big during the week!!!!

Ba Beauty who loves and serves so gently.

Lincoln has Joel's right and I had his left. He's walking like a Champ!

Wednesday morning we loaded the truck and went to the havens to spend a little more time with the babies before going to Livingstone to catch our flight. Those goodbyes were the worst. Getting so attached to these beautiful children of God and not knowing if I’ll ever see them again was a hard thought to process. Those kids are loved and cherished and cared for SO well by the Aunties and Meagan. I know they are more than fine. But leaving their smiling faces and arms open for hugs was terrible. We all got in the truck and cried most of the way to Livingstone. We got to the airport and waited in lines to get boarding passes and go through security. We hugged Meagan at the last possible second and kept waving through the door until she finally had to leave. Through the tearful goodbyes our song for the summer (or one of many) kept playing through my head, and I had to keep singing it to remind myself.

You are faithful
You are faithful

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

Chris Tomlin, Whom Shall I Fear

airport sendoff.