In Australia

So this is really the end, I arrived at Brisbane airport yesterday (Tuesday) morning - it had taken 1 short and 2 long flights to get me here. It was wonderful to see Jon in the flesh - I suppose having seen him regularly on Skype until I went to Zambia I didn't notice much change. It was then a drive north up to Buderim where Emma was waiting to greet me - I crashed for a couple of hours then went to collect Katy and Jared from school, I was a big surprise as they weren't expecting me until Wednesday. Today we went to the local church which also has a cafe, gym and swimming pool - we had a lovely swim although the water was amazingly warm, then after sampling their latte we walked home. Later when Jon and Emma got back from work we went down to the local beach where I was instructed in the finer points of body boarding - I managed to exfoliate my feet, legs and especially by knees but didn't win any prizes!!

Anyway, back to Zambia - as I'm writing this I'm listening to Ephraim (not sure about the spelling). After we came back from Livingstone we had less than a week to clear up and sort everything out to leave ready for next year and off course organise our end of campaign bash. Geoff, James and Emily worked like Trojans - they were joined by Chika and Emmanuel and Neil and Eirlys on Monday which all helped, the windows were given their final coats of paint, walls painted inside and out and thankfully all left ready for occupation on Friday morning. Friday dawned bright and clear, thank goodness Babrah Benson, Eunice, Evelyn and Jane were on hand to help with the food. They were very polite about having to prepare muzungu food (strange white folks). It was a wonderful afternoon, the food was good - grateful thanks to the guys that helped with the barbecue as I was getting very hot and bothered doing the cooking. It was really good to see all of our partners and the folk from Chamba Valley getting getting along so well. It was also sad when I realised that it would be the last time I would be seeing the guys, especially those amazing guys from the Fountain of Hope. Emmanuel did a sterling job getting photo's so I will paste a few in here so that you can see the new building and some of the folk.

We also had news that the video taken by Steve was posted onto Facebook, its excellent if you would like to view it go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FQMDW6mp1Y

So on Saturday morning it was off to the airport to say goodbye to Geoff and James who were flying to the UK, and to Emily who was going to work with the MacDonalds for two weeks. It was strange saying goodbye as we had been living and working together for 4 months. On the way home Cosmas and Emmanuel joined me for breakfast at Arcades where we were able to watch Steve's video - very emotional for us especially as Cosmas had just downloaded onto my computer the final photo's of all the vulnerable children and orphans that he is trying to get sponsorship for. I will be trying to sort out the photo's etc so that they are in some semblance of order ready for when I go back to Zambia next year. In the meantime I've got to produce a shorter version for Geoff to take to the de-brief day on Saturday.

So the rest of Saturday was spent with Emmanuel, his mum Babrah and Chika who came back later - they gave me a lovely lunch we then went back to the cottages to pack up and sort out all the things that needed to be left for next year. Later in the evening Babrah and Benson came back and prayed for me, such a wonderful, kind couple. In the morning I went to the early service where the congregation prayed for me, and then it was time to go - Cosmas and Emmanuel took me to the airport - the hardest goodbyes to say. I thank God for all the blessings I have received. God has been so good to me, I came hoping to be a blessing but, for the little I was able to do I have received unlimited blessings. Being taken into peoples hearts I now have a new extended family - who are as close to me as my family.

Over the last few days, especially, whilst I was awake on the plane (when all around seemed to be sleeping) I pondered on how God's word has been so alive - I guess having daily devotions in our groups has greatly helped but somehow I think it was being with so many people that not only lived by the Word they were able to talk so openly and honestly about how much they were blessed. This time for me has been a time of exploring what God is saying to me and one recurring passage is Jer 29:11 - I marked this passage in my bible when I was at Loyola on retreat in 2007. It is wonderful to know that God still has plans for me, that there is still work for me to do and that he wants to bless me. So I pray that I will continue to accept the challenges that he will certainly place before me.

I thank everyone who has taken the time to read my blog, and for all the prayers that have really helped me when the going has been hard. Please continue to pray that I will be able to raise sufficient finance to go back and help Cosmas with the orphans and vulnerable children, help Babrah set up her Home Care Givers project and go and help Vasco and Vincent.

Sorry I couldn't get the photo's to upload so I will try and put them onto Facebook
With many thanks to you for reading my blog and praying for me.

Shalom

Carol