Coming Home & Reflections on Africa

Getting ready to go home was a frenzy of good-byes, exchanging addresses and stuffing suitcases. Fortunately, I had plenty of room in my suitcase after giving away the rest of the clothes I had brought. I literally went home with the clothes on my back.
Leaving Africa was hard. I had met so many wonderful people and had seen so many needs (some that I thought I could even help to fulfill if I had more time). We had worked hard and had fun doing so. We were tired - physically and emotionally. We had seen and done so much in such a short time, yet had done so little to make much of an impact. However, none of us were looking forward to the long (26 hour trip). Yet, I was anxious to get home to see my family (and my dog)!
I knew I would return home a changed person - and I wondered how those changes would affect me and those around me.
After doing a little shopping at the airport and buying some AMAZING batiks, we had to hurry to the plane where we sat for more than 3 hours while they worked out 'a security issue'. As the plane took off and I watched Africa disappear under the cloud bank, I knew it wasn't 'kwaheri' (good-bye) and that I would return again some day. (Hopefully soon!)

Day 9 - Nairobi Part 2

We met one more time in late afternoon with Dr. Emily, Dr. Peter (president of the Board of Directors of LIA), and Dr. Florence for our formal debriefing and to prepare for our return home. It was the first time we had met Dr. Peter and he talked to us about possible 'culture shock' upon returning home and urged us not to feel guilty for all that we have after witnessing such extreme poverty. He quoted the apostle Paul about 'being content' and enjoying the blessings God has given us (and using them as He would have us to).

Then Dr. Florence spoke very eloquently about the significance of 'Homecoming', reminding us that 'home' gives us identity, a sense of belonging and a place where we can be ourselves and function at our best. She recounted the stories of several individuals in the Bible who went out proud, rich and confident and came back humbled and willing to take on the servant's role. She said there was great significance in 'going back' - that it's a type of milestone that begins a new line of history. She told how Jacob went out, wrestled with an angel and had his name changed. She talked about the prodigal son and how he was willing to accept a lesser role in order to be back in his father's household when he returned from a 'far country'. She explained how we are about to begin a new chapter in our lives - that a new story is being written. The story begins with a plan that is blessed by God. She acknowledged that we will come back forever changed and urged us to return to fulfill whatever it is that we were meant to fulfill - reminding us that we will have to give an account on how we use the opportunity God gives each of us. She pronounced a blessing on each one of us then closed by saying, "May it never be said that we did not do our part." Powerful words from an incredible woman - and a great challenge to live up to.

Then it was time to head for the airport and begin our long journey home - from Nairobi to Amsterdam, to Newark, to Detroit.

Day 9 - Nairobi

We got up before dawn on our last day in Africa to go on a safari. It was only a short drive to the Nairobi Game Park. The safari was a bit of a strange experience for me - and my least favorite part of the trip. (But remember, I'm not a huge fan of zoos, and this just seemed like a 'cage-less' one to me.) The terrain of the park didn't seem any different from that of the rural areas where we had spent the past couple of days. We drove along small roads in a van with a pop-up top that allowed us to stand up and take photos of any animals we might see. Four of the 'Big 5 Game Animals' - cape buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard and elephant - were present in this park. Sadly, there are no elephants. We did see 3 of the 5 (lion, buffalo and rhino) along with many giraffes, gazelles, impalas, wildebeests, monkeys, and countless birds. Sadly, no zebras or hippos. We left the Game Park and went to an Elephant Orphanage where baby elephants are being raised with the hopes of returning them to the wild. They were adorable!
We stopped by Java House for lunch on the way back to the guesthouse where we said good-bye to JJ who was heading to a different part of Kenya to visit family before returning home. Our re- exposure to western style food left many of us with upset stomachs. Then it was back to the guesthouse to pack and for a final meeting with Dr. Florence and the LIA team.