my last night

so tonight is my last night here.  somehow i've managed to still stay awake, even though it's past 1 a.m.  melissa, lauren, and i were up making buckeyes for the kids at BOLM tomorrow.  they had a little party for me in the office today.  lots of people came and said all sorts of nice things and we had some snacks and juice.  they gave me a masai blanket as a going away present and sarah gave me a batik.  jane and sarah were both crying, which surprised me a bit.  i guess you don't realize how much people are going to miss you until the time actually hits.  i got so sad going to the juvenile today to say bye to the boys.  i feel like i really know them, and i'm afraid i'll lose contact and not really know how they're doing.  salim pulled me aside and held up a paper in front of his face so know one could see.  then he whispered to me that he was really going to miss me.  he's a pretty shy boy, and i thought this was really sweet.

we had devotions tonight, and i said goodbye to amie.  she's been working nights, so i probably won't see her anymore.  in the midst of this began this event: first, i've sort of known for most of my time here that milham likes me.  he never really said anything directly, but there were hints, and i could just tell.  i wasn't sure if everyone else in the house knew though.  in any case, he made some comment about it after the devotions when everyone else was sitting in the room.  something like asking if God had granted me favor with a mate from Kenya, or something goofy like that.  but it was funny b/c amie cut him off before he even asked saying that she knew what he was going to say.  then she made some comment about how milham desperately wanted an american wife.  the whole thing was pretty hilarious, and it was pretty clear that amie and peter both knew about the whole situation.  i never really had any other marriage proposals as i expected to get while here, so i guess this is as close as it gets.

 

i went to kibera in the morning to deliver the penpal letters and have them write responses.  it was funny b/c all the kids were staring at my hair as i came in and making comments.  that class seemed very sad about me leaving too.  i decided to give away the pictures that judy had sent of her class.  i put them on a sheet of posterboard and wrote lots of stuff.  i had intended to hang it up in the classroom, but victor said i couldn't b/c someone would steal it.  so for the past 2 months, it's been sitting in the office in the school.  i pulled it out today and gave it to this boy, leonard, who had been sharing all these foam animal things for making cards with everyone around him.  i said b/c he was being so generous i was choosing him.  he was very happy.

popo went to the doctor yesterday b/c there are these big growths on his skin that are really bothering him.  we thought it could be cancer or some kind of cyst.  i insisted that he had to go to a good hospital to get some real answers.  so he went to nairobi hospital.  the dermatologist he saw there seems to have good credentials.  he suspected cancer but after blood tests and other things said that it wasn't.  it's some kind of growth though, that is spreading and really big under the skin.  so he's scheduled to have surgery next week.  he was really upset when i met him yesterday...partly b/c these bumps were bothering him and b/c he found out the surgery was really expensive.  but i think this is a pretty serious thing and told him i'm willing to help pay for it.  victor thought maybe another hospital could do the same thing for cheaper.  but i don't think it's a good idea.  i think this doctor knows what he's talking about, and i've seen what other hospitals do to people.  please pray that the operation goes well.  it's a two day thing, and they'll be putting in stitches and removing them.  you can tell that popo is not himself right now, and i'm really praying things will turn around quickly.

my things are packed basically, and i just have to say bye to the BOLM kids and a few others tomorrow.  i've given victor strict instructions for when the taxi should arrive b/c i've seen lots of other MSTs almost miss their flights b/c they can't get out the door.  again pray for my safety, that my bags would arrive with nothing missing or broken, and know problems with the visa.  i so appreciate all your prayers and support.  i couldn't have done this without you.