Sadness =(

Almost another week has gone by and I am beginning to realize the end of my trip is coming. Sadness. So sad, I actually postponed coming back 5 days and got a later flight! It just seems like the time is going by so quick and I feel invested in these babies and in Africa. Before coming, they were just sad stories on the Cradle of Love website, now I love them all so much. It bothers me that when I leave I may never know what will happen to them (minus what Davona may post on the website). Will Maria and Carolina get adopted? Will Musa and Rahma live happy long lives despite HIV? Will my precious triplets go home with their daddy in the Massai village? And if so, will they be at the mercy of the Massai's ways...marriage at sometimes 13? What is going to happen to these little angels? I am told a majority of the babies are returned to their families...which leads to a visit we received last weekend. One of the babies' grandma showed up to the orphanage drunk. Apparently, the mom didn't want the baby and gave it to the grandma, who has too serious of a drinking problem to take care of the child. This is just one sad story of why a baby is here. One baby was beaten by her mom...most are abandoned. And these are the types of homes these babies are returning too? I don't want to sound too pessimistic, I know babies go home and are loved and are well taken care of...I guess, like I said, I feel invested in MY babies' lives. I just don't like the idea of never seeing these babies again...sigh. Oh boy is it going to be hard to readjust and come home! Anyway, I don't want to be a complete debbie downer (waahhhh, waaaahhh)...just want to be real about my feelings right now. And again, praying God provides loving Christian homes to all of these babies.

In other news, we got 3 new room mates this week. They are all teachers and seem very sweet. On the flipside, Candice left today and Nina leaves Saturday. I am sad not to have these girls around and the dynamic in the house is going to be sooooooo different. Only a little bit of time left though. Sunday, Marsha and I leave to do some traveling. We will go to Dar Salam for a few days and then Zanzibar...super excited to get a few days of rest and reflection. When we get back, I will only have 1 1/2 more weeks with the babies! Well, let me end on a happy note...here are some pictures of precious Carolina (for you Davona) taking a bath and Prince on a field trip to the coffee shop. He had a great time drinking soda (not coffee despite the mug) and eating a chocolate chip cookie. Don't be fooled by his face, just thought it was appropriate for this blog entry!