The day after

Yesterday was a day of down time. Phil left in the morning and then Lauren and I just hung out. We had some donations to sort and I needed to move out of my hut and into Lauren’s. By lunch time I was all moved in and we had all the donations sorted and suitcases in order. Some of them will be staying here and a few will come home with us. We took Jessica’s car up to the lodge and spent some time on the Internet. I wrote a short blog and read it to Lauren to ask her if she thought it was okay. When I finished reading I looked at Lauren and she was a puddle of tears. It’s obvious that this experience has touched her. As her and I have spoken about it she has told me that even though she knew what she would be experiencing, the trip itself and the feelings she has had could have never been explained or expected. She has said that all of this has been much more than she thought it would be.
Malawi has a way of steeling your heart. It has a way of crawling up into your soul and taking up space. When you leave its there. Like a rock that sits. Once your home your emotions bump into it now and then and you realize that even though physically you aren’t there, the weight and softness of the place and people still remain.
After lunch Jan came down to the village to see us and tell us about her morning at church. She had a wonderful time and even had pictures to share with us. She would be leaving Monday morning so we needed to say our goodbyes before she went back up to the lodge for her last night. Jan was already missing her roommate Sherry. The two of them had such a neat bond and I have a feeling they will be friends for a long time. Jan has given me some wonderful ideas for our “littles” and I’m so grateful to have had her here on this trip.
Lauren and I have plans for this week and we both are excited to “vacation” a bit before we come home.
We are going to Adziwa tomorrow to have one last meeting with the staff and deliver all of the learning toys to the teacher and to Tovia. Tovia has come up with a wish list from the staff and we also need to review that. We have started kicking around ideas for next years groups, but nothing has been settled on yet.
After our meeting Lauren and I are going into the city to shop for fabric. We both will have some clothes made before we come home 🙂 I know she wants a pair of pants and a robe and I am going to get a skirt made that I can wear when I do speaking events for WCIM.
Tomorrow we will move from the village up to Jessica’s house for a few days. It will be sad to leave this home, but I know Lauren is ready for some electricity, running water and Internet. I have to remember that just because I can live like this for a few months doesn’t mean she can 🙂 we also have plans to visit Lake Malawi this weekend. I know these last days will go quickly and then before we know it we will be back home.
Sitting here this morning drinking coffee all alone missing all of the volunteers who have come and gone this year. The village isn’t the same without all of you here.