The End Has Come!

It is with mixed emotion that I am beginning to write my last posting for this blog. A trip that was a year in the making is now nearing completion.

As I write this I am sitting in the Amsterdam airport at 9:00 am local time which translates to 2:00 am Lloydminster time. For most on my mind is my desire to get home and connect with my family whom I have missed immensely.

A large part of this experience was to try and truly understand how fortunate we really are. After 18 days in a continent half way across the world I can truly say that I am blessed to have a wonderful family whom I love a great deal, a career that is challenging and rewarding, a community that is supportive, safe, and nurturing for our children, and a country that values diversity, standards, and democracy. For these things I am truly grateful!

My time in Africa has challenged me in many ways. Preconceived notions I carried of the continent have been shattered. My views on; the provision of aid within Africa, poverty, AIDS and the health crisis, and African education, have all shifted significantly based on what I have seen and heard.

Keeping the blog has been a challenge at times due to sketchy Internet service and pure exhaustion, but the comments back from readers have been very encouraging!

I have much to share with you once we arrive home. I have taken nearly 1000 pictures and videos, and my head is full of facts, figures, and stories that I know you will enjoy.

This trip has challenged all aspects of my being, and I truly feel that it has helped me mature and become more aware of the benefits and challenges of cross cultural interactions. I certainly have a greater appreciation for our immigrant families who are new to Lloydminster, trying to carve out a new life in a strange land.

In closing I would like to thank my support network back home that made this trip possible:
Brenda and the girls and their daily text messages which were very encouraging and motivating. The LPSD Board of Education and Admin team for allowing me to attend and covering off during my absence. And last but no least, the many friends and community members within LPSD and FBC that have been encouraging myself and my family during these last three weeks.

To all of you Thank-You for your role in this once in a lifetime experience!!

I have attached a few of my favorite pictures for you to enjoy!