In my time here I have eaten more cabbage and carbs then I ever have before. I have been called sister and mamma and auntie and madame and many other renditions of my name... My favorite being Caroline. I have seen different stars and experienced different climate. I have sang songs in different languages ( most of which I had no idea what I was saying) and I attended different churches full of singing and dancing. I have met so many new people and have made friends for life. I have grown and struggled and cried (a lot). I have experienced new bugs and creatures and I have seen wild animals up close and personal. I have walked for miles and miles and I have sweat more than I thought was possible. I have taken more taxis then I ever have before and I really can't wait to drive my own car! I have taken my fair share of bucket showers, and have attempted to do my laundry by hand and sometimes my clothes even feel clean. I have eaten new foods and as many fresh mangos as my heart desires. I have been called "mzungu" (white) by little kids as I pass by and it fills me with joy. I have seen hard things and amazing things. I have been changed by my time here and thank God for this beautiful place and the beautiful people who have welcomed me and loved me. My favorite moments here are early mornings when the house is quite and still and I go and sit outside where the air hasn't yet reached 100 degree temperatures and I drink coffee and enjoy Gods creation. And my favorite is when I am joined by little two year old Lumba, he comes and finds me in "my spot" and we just sit there in silence because both of are still trying to waking up. I love nights here when the power is out and the house is too hot to be in so we go and sit under the sky full of hundreds of stars and we talk and laugh and sing and count how many shooting stars we see. I love playing with the sweet little boys here who love to play with me hair and sit on my lap and jump on my back and take hundreds of pictures on my phone who love to play with my "down down down" aka my water bottle. These are the moments I will miss the most about Zambia, Africa. It has been a hard place and a good place for me, I don't think its a secret to anyone that I have struggled in my time here but I would not trade my time here for anything. I came and lived a dream that has been in my heart for more than four years and in my time of being here I have learned more about love and grace and the world then I would ever have at home. But now it is my time to return home, but I can not thank all of you enough for praying for me and thinking of me and checking in on me, these things have carried me through. I would ask for your continued prayers as I travel home in two weeks, to join my family for Christmas! You all are such blessing to me and I can't wait to see you all soon.
Karlie
