Last day

After we bade goodbye to the CHWS we had some time to rest, then returned for a gala evening at the church mission for dinner, fish & frites and salad, and of course yassa. It wasn't served until 9pm and we were pretty tired by the time we were done and planning to be up early to go to Goree Island, and then Christine brought in patisserie and chocolates that Catherine and Jim had ordered to celebrate our last evening.  All the children were there as well and they sang a song Catherine had taught them and then we all enjoyed cake while we watched two fantastic videos Joe had made about our mission, complete with music and of course photos of all we had done. He will give us copies to bring home with us. We didn't  get back to bed until midnight.

And then we were up at 7am to go to Goree. We barely made it on the boat--I think the young woman guard was trying to impress David Makobo, and let us on even though they first told us the boat was full. It was a beautiful day, the ferry ride was smooth and aside from the annoying street vendors, our day at Goree was delightful. I was finally able to hear the complete guided tour, which was excellent, but we were all pretty tired out by the time we got to the hotel and were able to enjoy our showers. Catherine and Jim chose not to join us--I can't imagine the overnight return trip without a shower. I can hardly understand why the hotels make you check out at 10 am when none of the flights leave before 8pm. We had a mistake with our flight reservations, so Charissa and Edie are going to stay an extra two nights. I hope they'll let us borrow their shower before we go Monday.

Church service at Nord Foire UMC in Dakar

Charissa, Deb, Edie, Kathe and I plan to go to the EMUS church service at Nord Foire tomorrow,  then probably spend the rest of our time here relaxing on the beach or by the pool. Charissa will help Christine if her accounting software from GBGM gets here, and I'm sure Edie can keep busy offering PT evaluations and instruction to all the church staff - it appears that they don't even have a term for physical therapy.

After church with Bill Gibson, Gwen Gibson, and Joe Bleck

This was an incredible trip. I am sure we will all be in tears when we leave, everybody has been so wonderful. Of course, they always are, but they are really family for me now. They keep saying that when we come back next time they hope they will be in the new church. I told them I will come back and I will find them, wherever they are.

CAM