Home

After 3 days of travel and 3 days of re-coop, I am back in the USA, jet-lag free, and completely happy to be able to see friends and family.
I started my return trip from Bunia, DRC to Chicago, IL on Wednesday (Nov. 9) at 10:30 a.m. CST and after 4 planes, 1 hotel, and 3 countries, I was able to grab dinner with my mother, father, and sisters in Chicago. Shout out to Red Robin for the delicious all-American burger and fries I had! It was an absolutely amazing feeling to be state-side again and see familiar places and faces; the Chicago skyline, My parents car, Our home, my bed and room, etc. It's entirely amazing the things you don't realize you've missed. Who would think that I would miss our feel-good and sink in couches that are in our living room? Or our wonky 3-prong forks that all my friends like to make fun of? Funny memories and familiar thoughts come flooding back and make a place home like nothing else ever could be.
Surprisingly, I didn't really have jet-lag on the way back. I was expecting to be exhausted on Saturday and need a nap, but I got through the whole day (I did have Starbucks, just saying....) and had a blast with my friends in the morning and my much-missed family in the afternoon. I spent about an hour just walking next to my baby girl niece while she showed me how she can roller-blade now. We went all around my neighborhood and she chatted my ear off the whole time. Goodness how I missed her.....
Sunday was a long morning with two church services to sit through and many people to catch up with. I loved being able to talk with everyone and be back in my wonderful church for a morning. Although, I have to admit, I sat and talked through the entire second service instead of listening in again. I figured catching up with some good friends was more important than listening to the message twice.....( it was a great message though! Shout out to Pastor Doug....). The rest of Sunday was a good chill out time to just enjoy my family and my sister while she was home (back for the weekend from college.). I interrupted her studying to chill and watch tv shows and talk. Completely relaxed and enjoyable afternoon. ( I Starbucks'd this day, too, so was jet-lag -free again....)
Monday was very slow as well. I went and met with my pastor to talk and catch up for a bit in the morning, which was great. Love talking with people, giving them a run-down of what's happening now, and seeing what they have to think about it. I made dinner for my mother and father (yummy curried squash soup! If you want the recipe, comment below.) and the whole pot was gone by the end of the night. Comfort food is a must. The evening was then spent with my friends getting pampered and just in general enjoying my time with them. (Again Starbucks'd.....)
Today I spent the day with my mother. She had a minor surgery yesterday which went well. (Thanks for the prayers!) I gave her a manicure which was a first for her. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things here now that I'm back and just be able to get through the next semester and figure out what I want to do.
Thank you all for the wonderful support. I will continue to keep you posted on what is happening concerning Congo, me, my friends there, and anything else I can think of! Keep your eyes peeled on my blog for a new post with some pictures. I'll be uploading some new ones soon!

Maranatha.
-Kelly

P.S. Can you tell that Starbucks was a major influence in my lack of jet lag? THANK YOU COFFEE AND CAFFEINE. Oh, how I missed it.......

Kasenyi and Final English Class

Fishermen on Lake Albert in Kasenyi

Cows on the side of the road/mountain

Me with my first class of the day

Boys with their well-drawn pictures

I have 2 days left in Congo. On Wednesday I fly out of Bunia (where I have been living for the past 5 months) and into Entebbe, the international airport in Uganda. I am both excited and sad. Today was my last day teaching English at the school I've been at, Baraka Academy. The children were very sad to hear that I was leaving (I managed to tell them that in French with no help!). Their final assignment was to draw me a  picture that I could take home with me. I have so many wonderful pictures from them all now!
Yesterday, I was able to take a day trip to Kasenyi to see Lake Albert with a few friends. It was beautiful! The road was bumpy, per usual Congolese style, but I managed to keep myself from hitting my head on the roof too many times. There were many cows/bulls by the side of the road as we drove. Both of these photos of cows (see above) were lucky shots because I stuck my camera by the window as we were driving past and managed to get a good picture without looking. I also tried my first whole breaded fish at Kasenyi and found it was very good! Tilapia.....some of the most fresh fish I've ever had.
Two more very full days before I am officially home bound.....keep looking for a blog post or two! I'm hoping to fill you in on these last few busy days....

Squinting in the bright sun. Congolese-style of dress!

Maranatha.
-Kelly

7 days

7 more days until I set foot back in my own country again. I am so EXCITED and a bit nervous as well. I'm also sad to leave Congo and everything that I know here (and my friends!), but being home and seeing family will be awesome.
Here are a few things I can't wait for:
1. My own bed
2. Mom's cooking
3. Milk!
4. Chocolate
5. Driving
6. Nice roads
Haha. I love how 3/5 are about food......but hey, I love food, so why not....
Everything has been going wonderfully here. I finished writing the English exam that will be given to the kids by a friend of mine, Suzanne. She offered to finish teaching until the end of the school year for me since I leave a few weeks before the kids finish school. I can't wait to see how they all do! These last few classes have been a bit sad for me; I know I am going to miss the kids terribly. I have one more class on Monday and am excited to just spend one last day with them.
I have plans for a very busy week ahead and hope that I will be able to keep my mind off of my departure so I don't get too sad. I fly out on Wednesday from Bunia (where I live) to Entebbe (major airport in Uganda) and spend the night there until my flight leaves on Thursday to come home. I plan on blogging again about m week's events so keep checking back during the week for a new post!
Please pray that everything would continue to go well at the school and that I would have a safe departure!

Maranatha.
-Kelly