It’s always bittersweet when a journey begins to come to an end.
Today was my last day with the girls in the sewing program.
For the first time in a while, I didn’t wake up before my alarm. Instead, my alarm woke me—and not quite in time. Wednesdays shift everything 30 minutes earlier, and I had forgotten to adjust.
So, no breakfast today. I made my way straight to chapel.
London delivered the lesson, and John was interpreting. He is one of the best—but today, he was clearly not himself. Fighting through the flu, he did his best before Francois stepped in to help carry the rest.
Even in that moment, there was something meaningful about the way the team supported one another—quietly stepping in when needed.
Preparing for What’s Ahead
After chapel, Francois took Vann and me to the swimming pool—the one he calls “the Jordan”—where baptisms will take place on Saturday.
There was something symbolic about standing there, looking ahead to what is coming, while also holding the weight of what is ending.
From there, I made my way to the sewing program.
But the day didn’t unfold quite as expected.
Waiting, Then Beginning Again
When I arrived, Alice let me know the girls were testing.
I had worn my African dress to share that moment with them, so I stepped in briefly—waved, smiled, and wished them well on their exams. Then I stepped back out.
Uncertain of the schedule, I returned to my room and reached out for clarity. Before long, Bonheur came to get me and walked me back. Jerome would serve as interpreter, and I joined Alice in monitoring the exams.
They were short—just five questions—and some of the girls finished quickly. Within about 20 minutes, everyone was done.
And just like that, we transitioned from testing to something entirely different.
Words They Carry With Them
For our final session, I chose to focus on words of affirmation.
We began by walking through the same handouts I had used with the mothers—reinforcing the idea that the words we speak, and hear, shape what we believe.
Then I handed out blank sheets of paper and asked each girl to write her name at the top.
I had a plan.
A simple, orderly system for passing papers.
For the first few rounds, it worked perfectly.
And then… it didn’t.
Papers started moving in every direction—across the room, between rows, with students standing, laughing, trying to keep track. What was meant to be structured quickly became something much more organic.
And somehow, it still worked.
With a lot of help from Jerome—calling out names, tracking papers, making sure no one was missed—every girl ended up with a page filled with words written about her.
When they got their papers back, they began to read. I asked if anyone saw something unexpected. Because sometimes, others see things in us that we don’t yet see in ourselves. A few girls chose to read theirs aloud.
Sometimes others see in us what we have not yet learned to see in ourselves—and in speaking it, they help make it true.
There was something powerful in that moment—hearing identity spoken, reflected, affirmed in community.
Before we closed, we repeated words together. Encouragement. Strength. Truth.
Words to carry with them.
We then stepped outside for a group photo—marking the end of our time together.
It never quite feels like enough.
But I was grateful to learn that their graduation has been moved up to Saturday, and I will be there.
Not quite the end, after all.
Unexpected Moments of Connection
After a short rest, we gathered for lunch.
Near the end, Devotha shared that a special group would be arriving that afternoon—visitors that included the Israeli ambassador, a medical team providing heart surgeries, and a retired NBA player.
Plans shifted, and suddenly the afternoon held something entirely new.
A Global Gathering
By mid-afternoon, we gathered at the Field of Dreams.
The timing was fluid, but eventually, the visitors arrived—welcomed by primary students and older students in their basketball jerseys.
From there, we moved to the pump track for a demonstration. Students rode with skill and confidence, surrounded by cameras, visitors, and a growing sense of excitement. It was a moment of pride—of being seen.
Afterward, we returned to the awning of the Field of Dreams, where visitors and families gathered together. One by one, words were shared—messages of encouragement, partnership, and hope.
It was powerful to witness.
And then, the energy shifted again.
Joy on the Court and in Conversation
Next up…the children who had received heart surgeries were to take to the basketball court, playing alongside students, with the retired NBA player serving as referee.
I wanted to watch the patients play, but we also had Conversation Corner and there was a group of students who would be waiting for me and I wanted to see them.
I arrived a bit early and stood at the railing talking with the students below.
As the students gathered, we briefly continued conversations from before. Then, having done the words of affirmation activity earlier in the day, I asked if they wanted to do the same. They did and I pulled out pens for everyone. The students were struck by the vast number of pockets and zippers in my backpack. I must admit that it is a bit of a Mary Poppins bag. After the laughter, we passed the papers in an orderly fashion around the circle. Once we received our papers back, we then read what everyone had written. I talked with them about encouraging one another. Then it was time for them to make their way for study prep.
On my way to the basketball court, I had a brief conversation with one of the surgeons before joining Naomi to watch. As the sun began to set and the lights came on, the moment felt almost surreal—laughter, movement, life fully on display.
Ending with Laughter
We made our way back, cleaned up, and gathered for dinner. As always, the food was wonderful—but the night didn’t end there. We played Mafia with members of the kitchen staff. It was lively, full of laughter, and unexpectedly competitive.
Unfortunately, I ended up with the King card in the third game…Mafia —which, for me, is the worst possible role. Still, it was the perfect way to end the day. Light. Joyful. Shared.
Holding Both
Today held a little bit of everything.
Endings and beginnings.
Structure and spontaneity.
Teaching and learning.
There is something sacred about these final days—about recognizing that while your time in a place may be ending, the impact continues.
And sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can leave behind…
is something they carry within them.
Even as this chapter comes to a close, the impact continues in the words they carry and the truths they believe.