Butterflies...

My trip began by heading to Des Moines on Sunday May 15.  My mom and I had gotten a hotel room to stay in so that we wouldn't have to wake up ridiculously early.

I have to say that I have the most amazing support system out there! Some of my friends from Central met my mom and I Sunday night and we went out to eat. It was one of those things that calmed my nerves and allowed me to focus on what was important. It was nice to be reminded that I was going to help people and more importantly to spread the word of God.

After an amazing dinner Mom and I went back to the hotel and chillaxed. I knew that my quality of sleep that night would be important so that is where my Sunday ended.

We woke up and headed over to the airport bright and early Sunday.  When we walked into the front door I met the people who I would experience a life changing week with for the first time.  I had known Jen for almost a year and Zach for less than a week.  This was the first time I had seen Joel and Sara. There really wasn't much time to think about anything... we checked in (all bags were under the weight limit!!) and said our good-byes. We walked through security and that was it. The next thing I knew we were in the air and I would not see Iowa for another week. I had never truly had 'butterflies' in my stomach until that Monday.

As our trip went on we flew to Washington D.C. and then to NYC.  During our lay over in NYC we played cards and talked and met Tina, who is one of the co-founders of The Raining Season.  This is where we ran into some bumps in the road :) Tina told us that some of the kids at the center had mumps so we all frantically called home to see if we had our vaccines for it! Little did we know that trivial things  like that would not matter when we were in the center with amazing children around us.

I boarded my first international flight and headed for Africa...

"I once was blind but now... I see."

Well Ladies and Gents... the trip I have been waiting for is now over.  I am sorry I have not been updating but we decided to keep a hush hush on when we were leaving for safety purposes with recent world events.

The trip was utterly amazing. More than I EVER imagined it would be.  I'm sure many of you, if not all of you, have heard "Amazing Grace" before.  This trip truly exemplifies one of the lines in the song.  I once was blind to the pain, suffering, and hope that happens in Sierra Leone, but now I see.  I now know a small group of Sierra Leoneans and I have a family in Africa.

Words cannot describe how life changing it was... but I'll do my best. :)

Lucy came home with us on a medical visa... what a blessing that is! She is in Pella with the Diers family and big things are coming her way!

In the days to come I will summarize our trip for you all! We did so much and were touched in so many ways by the people of Sierra Leone.  Below are my favorite pictures from the trip after I have edited them.  I will be framing all of these and hanging them in a collage in my dorm room this coming school year.  It will be hard to have a bad day with all the wonderful memories looking back at me!

The first time I saw the ocean on our first day while we were waiting for the boat to take us to Freetown.

Dock to the Pelican Boat that took us to Freetown.

Some of the boys singing to us in the Welcome Ceremony. 

Some of the girls singing at the Welcome Ceremony. 

This is a group of brothers.  Sufian, Abduraman, and Foday. I got very close with Foday and it was terribly hard to say good-bye to him. 

Little Moses. I also got very close to this little bundle of love. :) He is such a cuddle bug!

Little Zainab and her BIG smile!

Foday again. :)

Sara (team member) holding Esther's (one of the girls at the Center) hand.

Huts at the most beautiful beach in the world.  So thankful I was able to go!

Abduraman and I.

Jen with some of the kiddos at the guest house.