October 6, 2011

This is the last day of the dental clinic and there are four days until we return home. I am anxious to see my husband, family and friends, yet there is so much that pulls at my heart to stay. I pass through the gate on my way to the "toilet" and I wonder, "am I really here?" The country is so beautiful, but the disparity of the people is heart breaking. The children run by and wave at Father Carl, they are so beautiful. Their smiles are genuine and their eyes tell such stories. Their beautiful skin soaks up the African sun deepening their rich color. The children wear clothes that do not fit or are ragged and torn. Their shoes are too small, too big, worn to a frazzle, or they have none at all. As they pass by they may ask for a sweet, but mostly they want just a smile or some affection. To celebrate our last day they treated us to a feast. We were served rice, sweet beans, chicken, (fried and boiled) coleslaw, pasta salad, green salad, and beets. It was hard to eat so much food when so many of the children do not get the food they need. They also presented us with a goat, this is a great honor. They drug the goat into the classroom which was our dining room, so we could see what a wonderful specimen he was. Knowing that they were now going to slaughter it, sent Kaelly over the edge and she could not shut off the tears for hours. I wish it would not offend the people if we could give it back to the children. As the day wound to a close, the children entertained us with traditional song and dance. What a beautiful display of their culture. The tent comes down, the equipment is packed, the trailer is loaded and we say "Good-bye," leaving behind pieces of our lives and hearts; hopefully enough love and hope to last them a time. Holly