Goodbyes

Amelia's farewell party began with hotdogs and ended with pancakes; it was a sleepover. Only she decided it was still best to sleep at home! Even Meredith enjoyed playing with these girls and celebrating their friendship. She also ate 2 hotdogs. The following day was my theater (operating room) goodbye: cake, tea and mini-speeches from some staff. Muruka, the Kenyan OB resident, who I've spent a lot of time working with and teaching concluded his speech by saying, "I like that she is young." I added, "Yes, even younger than you." Sunday we will say,"Goodbye" in church and then with a soup/bread get together with the other long-term missionaries. 

I guess what I'm trying to say in all these "goodbyes" is that we've been really blessed by the community here. We've received encouragement from more experienced missionaries, we've shared challenges with the 2 other families that came the same week we did in November and been able to support one another, we've enjoyed the help from nurses, dental assistants, midwives, theater staff,  and we've both taught and learned from our colleagues. It's not easy to be leaving.

Thankfully we are only 3 hours away (2 hours once the road is fixed!) and many families here have older children at RVA (the school at Kijabe). Amelia will be able to start school immediately since it's year round. We did learn though that not only are the 2 American OB/GYNs leaving permanently, but the Kenyan OB will be taking about a year off starting July 3rd. This does leave me presently as the only Ob/Gyn. The hospital administrator is working on solutions, and please pray help is quickly found!