Forever in our Hearts.

     Wednesday was full of realizations for me. The realization that 5:30am would no longer be when my alarm goes off. The realization that after Thursday I would no longer hear the teachers singing as we entered in for our morning staff meeting. The realization that as I stand outside during passing time, that I know almost every class and at least one learner (if not most or all) of the names in the upper primary classes. The realization that I was going to get very "Namibian Homesick".

     All of my classes were wonderful on Wednesday, as they continued to work on letters for my learners back home or draw self portraits. My math class and I reviewed what we have learned so far this year with a little math basketball, and it was a great day. The tears already began to flow on Wednesday, as yet they came to the realization that tomorrow really was my last day with them. I received several cards and a couple gifts and sweets from the learners as I was leeched to any and every time I left a classroom.

     Wednesday night, we were all busy writing letters, making posters, and creating our last day gifts for our learners and colleagues. That being said, the mood was definitely a little debbie downer like. Until our phone rang...and Uanee was here! Uanee was our guide up north, and he stopped by for a visit. He traveled over 70 km to come see us one last time before we left. It definitely lifted all of our spirits and we loved chatting and catching up with him.

     And then there was Thursday.....our last day at A.I. Steenkamp and stopping by to see the Dolam's children home kids. Being overwhelmed before we even arrived, thanks to the great song of "We are the world, we are the children" that just so happened to be playing on the radio, Kari gave some words of encouragement.

     As we headed into our morning staff meeting, I quickly realized that I was going to start crying immediately. I was in charge of giving the morning devotions, and although I came prepared, my emotions definitely got the better of me the moment they began to sing. I quickly I had to leave for a moment, somewhat compose myself, then enter back in. As I began to talk, the tears started flowing again. I apologized and told them they were going to have to decypher my words between sobs (they all chuckled). After sharing with them 1 Timothy 4:10-13 and sharing what was on my heart, I quickly prayed and jetted back against the wall. I then noticed I was not the only one with tears in the room. Not only had my peers cried, but many of the staff were crying as well. Mrs. Kamahenne shared a few words of encouragement for the day, and thanked us for loving all the learners so much, and then we were off.

     The rest of the day all blends together. My 5D class made friendship bracelets to remember me from the beads we had used as manipulatives for addition and multiplication. They loved them, and there were many onomatopoeias throughout the room as Ms. Jessica seemed to drop a few every now and then. I had them twice today and the second period had a lot of tears. They were, by far, my class that cried the most, and the ones I had to spend the most time with calming them down after.

     My 6A class was a joy today and they made the most of every moment with me. One of their other teachers were not here today, so I stole them for 2 periods instead of just one. I read to them, they colored their portraits, and finished their letters. It was a great last day with all of them (and of course... a lot of tears).

     7B is a class that I definitely became close with as well. A few of the girls came and helped me in my 5D class as their teacher didn't show up either. Although their teacher taught for half of the period, I snuck them pens and pencils they forgot while she taught so they didn't get in trouble for not having one. I then read them my letter, which of COURSE made me lose it all over again, and gave them my address and email. It took 10 minutes to hug and talk to them all before break. I also had the opportunity to join them for PE with Janelle for 8th period, which was great fun.

     Throughout the day, we were all handed dozens of letters, random presents, sweets and given lots of hugs. As I walked around the campus, I couldn't help but tear up as I saw learners that I had even taught for just a period. Their hugs were huge and their smiles melted my heart each and every time.

     The staff also had a little get together for us in the staff room during break. Mrs. Kamahenne had pulled me aside during my break period to talk to me briefly. First, she wanted to talk to me about my experience and my devotion that morning. It ended up being a much longer talk than I thought, but it was great just telling her about our experience and discussing various teaching strategies. She also asked me if they were to buy us cake for break if we would eat it. I said of course we would, even though it was not needed. She went on to explain that in their culture, they are a poor people, but food is what brings unity to them all. It is what shows and builds relationships. That being said, having them share food with us was a way to not only thank us, but to bring us even closer together. Even though our break celebration ended up going 10 minutes into the next period, it was great chatting and saying goodbye to all of the staff. They presented us with some amazing plates with Namibia on it and laminated letters from them that are signed. We also presented them with the Athletics poster we made, a picture of all of us, tons of supplies and PE equipment. It was great.

     The hardest part of the day was the end, once the bell rang. We all went to the center to say our goodbyes, and it became a mad house. Being swarmed by who know how many kids all wanting to hug you, thank you, and hand you letters is heart warming, but also quite crazy. We all felt pretty overwhelmed, but made the most of the situation. I had to put my camera away after the first few minutes, as it was the only thing some learners were sticking around for. Many of my learners from 5D, 6A and 7B were attached to me (as much as they could be with the crowd) and just wanted to be with me as long as possible.

     As we walked out to our taxi in a swarm, it was hard getting through them all to put our things away and get into the vehicle. Seeing the faces of some of my learners that I got to know so well crying broke my heart. As we all climbed into the vehicle, it was a battle to get the door shut and to get them to back away from the taxi. As I was hanging out the window, and through the tears telling them I love them and want them safe so they need to back away from the taxi, they all just clung to the doors, window and bumper more. Shane honked and pulled away, and the learners ran along side us to the intersection and around the corner. Watching Saddam, Hazel, Tia, Megan, Zaccharius, Aloys, and many, many more of my learners chase after our vehicle and shouting my name was, by far, one of the hardest and most emotional moments I have ever experienced.

     We all tried to gain composure as we went straight to Dolam's childrens home afterwards. On arrival, many of the children were already home. We were already a mess and began to tear up as soon as we got there. After hanging out for a bit, taking some pictures, and just 'being' with them, we started to say our goodbyes. I gave my dear Cynthia a book with a note on the inside cover. She stayed strong for a while, and then as we got up to go we both, along with everyone else, melted. I gave Elsie my email and address as she was too emotional to write hers down and we all said our goodbyes. We gave encouraging words to each and everyone of them, then loaded in the taxi for another emotional drive.

     Its been a long day that went by way too fast. My learners' smiles, laughs and hugs will forever be in my heart, but right now are still weighing so heavily on my mind. I love them all so much, and still cannot believe that today was goodbye. They will be in my thoughts daily, in my prayers nightly and in my heart forever. As I sort through the huge stack of letters from them all and the tears begin to flow once more, I hold tight to the quote Janelle said to us this morning: "Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened". I feel so blessed to have met my learners, my colleagues and the children at Dolam's. They have taught me so much about myself and I will never forget them.

Uanee's visit!

My dearest Meme

My First teacher--Mr. !Gaoseb

grade 7 English--Mrs. Terrera

Mrs. Mobuku

grade 5 Math-Mrs. Nafuka

Staff Break Celebration

Mrs. Kamahenne and the Steenkamp Crew

Athletics Poster and Picture

Janelle showing off the PE equipment

Jessica cutting the cake, per tradition

5D Making their Friendship jewelry

Oh my dear, 5D learners...

6A showing off their homework certificates!

They are so proud of their work....

...and I am so proud of them.

Some of my Pre-primary kiddos

Erika

A little break time photo shoot.

My fabulous 6A boys.

Saddam...I love him!

Saying bye to the Pre-Primary learners

I'm going to miss those smiling faces and the huge hugs!

The Special Class out at PE for the 2nd time with me and Janelle

Yeah...I got a little goofy...it was the LAST day :)

Lucia and Brandell....two of my 5D babies

A beautiful flower and letter from one of my 7B lovelies

Game time with Ms. Janelle

7B doing the Seasick turtle

The Mermaid

Oh...how they love Ms. Janelle...

Yeah...i was being mauled.

My 7B sweeties...Love'em, love'em, love'em

Waving goodbye at the Children's home...Love them all: Jessica, Johannes, Gustav, Cynthia, Bianca and Priscilla