Home

It has been over a week since I have arrived home in D.C. and I feel overwhelmed with emotions. It was awesome to arrive to my sweet friends at the airport. It has been great to catch up with family and to be reunited with Leroy! I love water pressure, dishwashers, cars, high speed (!) internet and no ants. But, I feel like my heart is still in Africa. I miss the babies terribly and wish to steal and cuddle babies I see passing on the street (don't worry, I haven't). School hasn't started yet so I sit at home, staring at pictures and chatting with my African friends all day. I feel conflicted about my sadness. On one hand, I want to PRAISE the Lord for the amazing summer He gave me. Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine the things He allowed me to experience. My heart expanded this summer from the love He poured into me and through me in loving the babies and the other wonderful people I met in Africa. I should be happy and joyful, not depressed. Yet, things feel different here and I have been changed. And it is hard to explain this to friends and family. When asked, "how was Africa?" I feel at a lost of how to explain my trip. So I give the highlights, change the subject, or in the last few days, just avoid people.

I guess I am still processing and unsure of what God wanted me to take away from this trip. Some things I am certain of, like the love and joy of the people in Africa. How poverty isn't synonymous with unhappiness. It is interesting to me how people can say, "How can God be a loving God when people are poor and suffering?" But, I found it easier to see God in Africa, in the simplicity of lives and kindness to one another, then I do here in America. In America there is so much "noise" that drowns out the people of God, such as materialism and the emphasis of power and beauty...

Will I return? I don't know. I can't imagine not returning but even that question sends me in a turmoil of emotions that I know I need to surrender to God and that whatever His answer may be, be patient. So, that is about where I stand. Anyway, here is a picture of my wonderful friends welcoming me at the airport.

Love,

Jess

Do I have to say goodbye?

Coming back to Cradle of Love, after Zanzibar, was a hero's welcoming. The babies screamed with delight, ran over to me, and covered me with hugs and kisses. I was surprised how much bigger a few of the babies looked after only a week. And I think the reality is, I am finally noticing how big they have grown this summer. Even Carolina, crawled for the first time, while I was gone =( So sad to have missed it. It is going to be hard missing out on these babies growing up, I am so attached to them now. Especially my precious triplets. I really want to pack them with me and bring them home.

I feel as though every hug, kiss, laugh and memory is extra special to me, knowing this is my last week with the babies. I know when I say goodbye, I am going to be a crying mess. In one sense, I am ready to come home. I miss family and friends. I especially hate that I haven't been there for friends during big moments in their lives this summer. I am ready to catch up and have basic comforts again. But in another sense, I don't want to leave these babies or Africa. I know I am going to miss the simplicity of life here, the focus on relationships, and even the smells and sounds of Africa. I will forever have etched in my mind little things like Prince's bear hugs, or how Martine says, "Mama Musa!" and how Rachel scowls when she doesn't get her way. I love how before dinner is served and the little babies are sitting in their seats, I give them all kisses and they light up in joy. I love Tumini's kissy face, Rebecca's laugh, Lowawsa's gummy smile, and even Bahati's screeches for attention. Oh, I love them so much and I am thankful to have been able to experience these little angels, but saying goodbye is going to be so hard to do...

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. Psalm 8:2

Sweetie Amina and the world is Prince's bathroom...

Ibriham and my precious Triplets!

Lowawsa, hiding under my arm and my Anya

Zanzibar

Wow! Just got back from Zanzibar with Marsha and what a great trip! We travelled budget but you would never know with the AMAZING, spectacular, breathtaking beaches and water. Our travels were adventurous and long with a 10 hour bus ride to Dar Salaam, a 2 hour ferry to Stone Town, and a mini bus to the Eastern coast, Jambaini. The North Beaches tend to be more popular with tourists and we wanted seclusion and boy did be get it! The beach was amazing. At low tide you could walk a quarter of a mile before you got to water and then easily another quarter of a mile in the shallow water. At one point, I hiked out a good amount, sat in the knee height water. I was surrounded by ocean and only the immense sky above me and was blown away by how small I am and how BIG our God is...Amen? The people were very friendly...we ate locally both in Stone Town and one night in Zanzibar. I finally tried Ugali (very good!), the local staple food and even had some fresh octopus (thanks Dan), delicious! On a side note, I will say this trip has been redefining my viewpoint on poverty in many ways but in particular in food! The food is so fresh and delicious here in Tanzania.

Anyway, Zanzibar is so amazing...even at night we watched the full moon rise and it was beautiful. Too many stories to share, but I would rather share some pictures...they don't capture the full beauty of Zanzibar...but maybe a start?

I did miss the babies terribly and can't believe I have only 1 1/2 weeks left! Ack...more later, but enjoy a few pics!

Me, surrounded by water, in paradise. We took a boat ride/snorkeling trip with Captain Chicken.

I ate Octopus at this restaurant! Amazing! And the beach at low tide...