It is 11:10pm and we are settling in to our hotel rooms. We were up at 5:15am and on the road by 6:00am. I think everyone was sad to leave our compound we called home for the last 5 days! We knew as we pulled away, waving goodbye to Lucy the adorable camp dog, that we would miss all our new friends! Jesus and Janet, their family and all those precious children at VBS! Their stories, the joy in their hearts, which they share with us through their smiles, will be seared in to our hearts forever, I am sure! I doubt anyone from this team will forget the hideous conditions we found the VBS children living in and the filth. Nor will we forget how much joy and laughter they displayed over the simplest things….such as tossing a little glass pebble to each other or receiving a hug from a new friend!
As we left Ensenada and headed for the border, we again had two students feeling a little queasy. The heat, the lack of sleep and the hard work has started to catch up. But we persevered, even got re-routed near the border, loosing about an hour of driving time! We got Joel dropped at the airport and prayed he would be able to stand-by on an earlier flight….he was wanting to get home to prep for this weekends message….can’t blame him! Then we drove on to Sea World for the day. It was very hot, so getting wet was NOT a problem! The students had a fun time just hanging with each other and getting a bit wet! Later in the afternoon, we made the 2nd drop at the airport so that the other 6 students/leader could make it to their evening flights! Then we headed north to southern Orange County where I am now sitting at the desk in our hotel room. It is a great feeling to be headed home! We look for safe travels tomorrow and again we thank you for your prayers!
Team – it must be so hard to see this amazing trip come to an end! We hope that you formed new friendships and strengthened old ones, including your relationship with God. What you accomplished this week was incredible – you need to take pride in work so very well done!!!!
Team adults – thank you again for giving of your time (especially the lack of sleep!), your energy, and your love for our teens! We can’t thank you enough for driving, being there for our kids, driving, helping the kids serve, oh – and did I say driving??!!?? YOU ROCK!!!
Christie – be prepared for the biggest and longest hug, we might never let go!!! We love you so much and will see you tomorrow!!!