From here to there

Planes and Trains

And then somehow we made it home.

One Extra Day

 We were supposed to fly out yesterday evening, but as we were eating lunch we got the word that our flight was canceled and we would get on tonight's flight instead.  

  Instead of busing back into the city to stay at HAU's guest house, we decided to stay at the lakefront hotel (with pool) where we were having lunch. 

No complaints from this crowd, as we discover that the weather in Brussels (where we had planned 2 days and now only have 1) is chilly and rainy. 

A few hundred extra freckles made their appearance, and I think we've all benefited from a low-key day with no meetings, demands, or running around.

 Our sunshine tanks are now full again! 

Lizard Lovers

  Henry estimates he caught about 35-40 lizards in the past 21 days. I think that's an accurate estimate. 

 Jude wasn't quick enough to catch them himself, but he sure enjoyed playing with them when they were passed around.  

One of Eika's best catches was this miniature guy.  Alas, she grabbed its tail first, and off it came.

Our bearded dragons are going to seem huge when we get home!

I don't have the time to explain WHY my kids are petting the leopard and pulling the crocodile's tail...

Grabbing Hold

Two more days, and we have to say goodbye.

Kids are simultaneously falling apart and wailing that they don't want to leave.

Our minds try to wrap around all that we have seen and breathed in.

We need strength now for leaving something that has deeply grabbed hold of our hearts but hasn't yet hinted at how we are to grab hold of it in return.

Back to Civilization

We left part of our hearts behind this morning as we said goodbye to Kibuye and the team of God's hands and feet.  Two and-a-half hours of gorgeous scenery, windy roads, and being squashed like a melted bag of gummy bears got us to Bujumbura.  

Our remaining 5 days in Burundi will involve meeting some doctors and administrators at Hope Africa University, checking out the ministries run by some new friends, connecting with one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs working with dairy cows, hanging out with some other north Idaho friends and finally getting them their power bars, and meeting the famous Miller family.  

Hooray for better internet! I was finally able to read emails and feel a little more connected with friends and family from home.  Hoping to load a lot of pictures soon...