Goodbye Ghana....Hello Egypt!

Well my last day in Ghana most certainly was a tearful one. I arrived at school and all of the kids came running out to meet me. The first question they asked was "are you going today?" As sad as I was pulling up to school I tried to jump out of the van with a huge smile on my face and look happy! I gathered the kids together for one last circle and song time. I let the kids lead the songs and helped them really understand the words. I pulled my kids together and gave them a few options of what to do for our last day. I brought my computer and showed them all of the pictures and videos that I took during my time at Happy Kids! They absolutely loved looking at themselves and watching the videos! During break time I held Abrah for one last time and then Joshua fell asleep in my arms. The rest of the kids and teachers all recited poems and sang songs for me. The tears started when the other female teacher sang me a goodbye song. Then I pulled my kids together and handed them the folders I made for them with their penpal letters, three pencils, the books with the picture on the back page and all the work they did for me since I have been here. They loved their folders and all of them said thank you about 20 times. They are so grateful for everything I give to them, even the smallest things! We had some time left so we played hangman and then did a circle for the last time. Yayra, one of my favorites started crying during circle time and couldn't even sing the songs because she was so upset. The van pulled up and I went into the nursery and gave hugs and kisses to Abrah, Joshua and Ester - my three favorite babies! Then I went to class 1 and gave them all a hug and as I turned back to walk to my class I saw that my kids were crying and that is when the waterworks started. I gave each of my kids a hug and a kiss on the forehead, gave the teachers a hug and then Yayra and Moda each took my hand and walked me to the van. I crawled into the van and sobbed as I waved and blew kisses out the window to my kids who looked so sad and helpless. It was probably one of the most heartbreaking things that I have ever had to do in my life but also such a wonderful feeling of the connection that I made with my kids! It most certainly was bittersweet. As I was riding to the airport I was trying to take everything in and just soak in the surroundings one last time through tearfilled eyes. It most certainly was a dream come true and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

As I was flying into the Cairo airport I soon realized I was no longer in Ghana. I was now in the middle of the desert and everything looked like sand as I was landing. Getting through customs was pretty easy and as I was standing in line to get my VISA who do I see standing through the glass but good ole Chreesto waving back at me and then Mom and Dad standing right behind him. I couldn't get through customs fast enough and it was wonderful to be reunited with my family again! We have all arrived safely in Egypt and have just enjoyed the day in our hotel and walking down to the Nile River. Dad, Mom and Chris are all handling traveling well and we are anxiously awaiting the start of our tour tomorow morning. Our hotel used to be a palace and I could just sit outside the patio and stare at the architecture all day! For me the food here is wonderful as I am no longer eating chicken and rice everyday! The breakfast buffet is spectacular and we went to a country diner for dinner. It wasn't like home cooking but Dad did have a hamburger that tasted just like Red Robin..yum!

This will be my only blogpost while in Egpyt since the internet is so incredibly expensive here. We just wanted to let everyone know we have arrived safely! Happy early Thanksgiving! I know I am so thankful and blessed to have all of you in my life! See you when we land safely back at home on the 29th! I am so looking forward to seeing all of you!

Lots of love from Egypt!
Steph (and the rest of the Gowan family!)