I leave tonight to head back to the US. My plane leaves Freetown at 10:15, but I have to start getting to the airport by 5 or so. Thankfully Chels gets off work at 2 on Fridays (so that Muslim employees can make it to Mosque). We'll have to get a taxi and then I have to get a helicopter to the airport then I have to get through customs then I wait and hope that the plane comes! (The airline I'm going on has been a little unreliable lately- they were 22 hours late a couple of weeks ago. I don't want to hang out in the crowded airport for a whole day!) I'm a little nervous about the process of leaving, but I'm sure its not so confusing as I think its going to be.
I've been conscious about when I had to leave the whole time I've been here, but today, it just feels weird to know that I am actually leaving and I won't see any of these people again for years, if ever. And its going to be weird going from nearly the poorest country in the world to the London airport (which is like a mall) and then home to the place with hot showers and Wal-Marts and nice houses. On the way here, I knew to expect to see poverty and stuff, but I don't really know what to expect on the way back. I know that its just going to be the same old place, but going from Sierra Leone home is confusing. I just can't imagine driving in a car by myself down a street with no people on it but with streeet lights and stores and pavement and stoplights and grass. I know I've done it a million times, but I can't really imagine doing it.
I also feel kind of bad wanting to stay here. Going to America is a lot of people's dream here and I'm doing it and I am not sure that its what I want. I'm getting what people here and lots of other places want their whole lives but never get and I don't really even appreciate it. Not that I'm not really excited to see everyone at home and get to speak American English to everyone, because I AM excited, but I don't like leaving knowing that I can't come back for a long time.
All the thinking is making my stomach hurt a little bit.
I'll see everyone in Smyrna and Jackson soon. And everyone else, I wish I could see you soon!
2 comments:
Oh, how hard it would be to see the simplicity and poverty of the places you've seen and then come back to see all we have and take for granted. God has shown you so many things on this trip--maybe so that we can appreciate more the many blessings He gives all of us each day of our lives. Have a safe journey back home. Love you lots. Aunt Patty
Granny called a little while ago and said you'd made it to Cinci. We thank God for His protection over you, and for what He's allowed you to experience during the past month. Life may not ever be the same for you--and that's not a bad thing. I feel like most American's have no idea how the people live on the other side of the world. I especially wish that Jesse could see how much he has to be grateful for, and how little the children there are satisfied with every day; even though they don't have some of their most basic needs met. Can't wait to hear all about it. Love, Aunt Dawn
Post a Comment