It is about midnight in Nairobi, in a few hours I will be making my way back home to New York. Looking back on the day I left to Kenya with a suitcase full of hopes, art supplies and clothes so much has happened. I didn't know I would be making over 400 picture frames with the Popsicle sticks, having six dance parties a day, that Girl on Fire would bring me smile so much. I had no idea that the people I met in Chicago would become my home, that we would laugh, cry, sing, cook and dream together. That in prayer we would face some of the darkness in our life and at camp create lasting light. All I knew was that I had to make that flight, that my path, my camino was pointing me here. Almost a month later my suitcase is almost empty of material things, but it's harder to carry for some reason. I think because memories weigh more than expectations. I also think its because lessons take up more space than worries. These past two weeks of blog silence have been busy with more beautiful children, meeting the families of friends, and saying goodbyes to people we just started knowing and those who we felt we've known forever. In writing this I thought about the theme or the story only to realize I have none right now. We spent the day on Safari and in the afternoon made it to Thigio for supper where I briefly said goodbye to my teammates, my home. It has been one of the most difficult parts of my trip. I wish I could tell you all in detail about these weeks, but where can I even begin? I could say that Breila has one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen, that Abantu has the best laugh, that the kids of Matisi have incredible talent, our helpers gorgeous homes. I could tell you the story of Anthony, how our friendship was meant to be, that I saw George a few times later and how happy he was. I could tell you how Innocent and Joseph's friendship inspires me everyday, Francis' unmatched compassion
, the joy of singing at mass, the infinite beauty of Chepanyal, how much we learned from the daughters and how much we laughed too. I could show you our dance moves, maracas, journals and teacups, sing ya ya ya, or nyama nyama. I could quote lion king, wesley snipes, spirit and john legend. All of these things begin many of the great stories of our trip. While in this short night I can't tell them all, I hope sometime you can hear them, the cause of my heavy suitcase. Though everything is packed now, I can pull out one lesson from the top zipper, the one I have been visiting a lot today, friendship is one of the greatest gifts we can receive, a gift that is highly valued here. Marafiki means friends and I am so grateful to have made some here. Thank you everyone in Kenya who has made our time here unforgettable, and leaving so hard and asante sana Emily, Matthew and Dom for making this month awesome, I miss you already and cannot wait to see you in October and call you up this weekend, hug an elephant for me! And everyone reading wherever you are, I hope that these random thoughts scattered throughout the month have made you smile and inspired you in some way. Kwaheri!
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