June 26th, 2019

3:30am… Alarm goes off.

3:35am… Struggle to get up (I've only had an hour sleep).

3:40am… Finish packing.

3:50am… Leave notes of encouragement on each desk.

3:55am... Stare at the empty room.  Serene.  Still.  

Remember all the conversations and joy that fills this place.

4:00am… The lovely ladies awake an hour early just to see us off. 

4:05am… Bags are being stacked outside.

4:10am… Last minute cleaning.    

4:15am… Photos begin. 

4:20am… Embrace the arms that wrap around and won’t let go.

4:25am… Still hugging.

4:30am… Ride should be here.

4:35am…It’s Africa. Still waiting.

4:40am… Choke back tears.

4:45am… One more hug, one more goodbye…one more…

4:50am… Pray over the ladies.

4:55am… Carry the bags to the bus stop.

5:15am… Make it to the bus stop.

5:20am… Wait. Wait. Wait.

5:30am… Share about ministries with squadmates.

6:00am… Bus arrives.

6:05am… Load the bus.

6:20am… Say your goodbyes.

6:30am… Still saying goodbyes…longing for more.

6:35am… Bus pulls out.  This is it. This is goodbye.

7:00am… Embrace the tears with a friend.

7:30am… Listen to recordings of worship sessions.

9:00am… Reminisce.

10:30am… Arrive at the border.

11:00am… Unload the bags, scan the bags, load the bags.

12:00pm… Passport, stamp, Wait. Passport, fingerprint, picture, stamp.

2:00pm… Farewell Rwanda; Hello Uganda!

5:00pm... Reflect. Reflect. Reflect.  

My phrase for Rwanda is Rest In God's Presence. I found what it truly means to do this in Rwanda and want to carry that on with me for a lifetime.  Murakoze cyane for showing me how to do this.

10:30pm... Arrive at the hostel.  Exhausted. Missing. BUT, thankful for life. Thankful for hard goodbyes.  Thankful for the promise of an eternity with my brothers and sisters. Ndagukunda. 

The lack of words is accurate.  All I can say is…to the prayer group, to the church, to the men, to Glenda, to the Dream team, to the ladies... murabeho and turikumwe….until we meet again! ;-)