Today consisted of a low key, down played day in preparation for homecoming tonight at the church in Bolivar. We got to sleep in a little bit seeing as though we were up till about 2 am enjoying a bonfire on the beach with s’mores and lots of laughs. I started my day off with a nice long run on the beach. As bad as I would love to sleep in, I can’t help but get up and enjoy his creation at the palm of my hands. I’m going to miss these views so much when we leave. It’s almost like I can hear mom in the background saying “Wakeup, don’t sleep your life away!” Homecoming is just like a church service that they do here in the town on Thursday night. We were able to hang out around the house and relax and prepare for the events of tonight. It was beyond relaxing. One of my favorite parts of today was being able to dig deeper into the relationships with the people here with us. We all feel like family now. It’s a funny feeling, sitting around the house today with all of the windows and the wooden walls reminded me of sitting in the living room at Junalaska with my family. It was a peaceful and joyful feeling. I was able to spend a couple hours with Janette getting to know her. She is a truly amazing woman. She and I had so much in common, and it felt so wonderful to open up and share life with her. We understood each other because of similar events and passions in life. I’m so grateful for her and what she does for this ministry. As soon as you enter the house, she becomes your mom for the week. I know this was our last day with the people of Bolivar, but I don’t want to think about it. I was talking to a couple of people today about having to leave, and we all teared up at the simple thought of not being surrounded by this place. You fall in love with these people and their sweet souls, and knowing that once you leave, there may not be anybody for a while to love on them each day or to give them the attention that they deserve breaks my heart. Janette said this morning during devotions that being called to the mission field is one of the hardest things you will ever do, but it is also one of the most rewarding. I have found that to be every bit of true. It hurts, the sights and the sounds and the feeling of the hearts, but it sure is rewarding getting to love on each and everyone of them. Today we went to teach English to a couple of the high school girls, and the little girls that I have created a relationship with came running into my arms and grabbed me and wouldn’t let me put them down. That is the most rewarding feeling, and also one of the hardest walking away and going back to normal life. It’s funny today is the first day I feel at home, I feel as if I have created bonds with people now. The language barrier has been very difficult for me because there is so much I want to be able to communicate with these people but can’t. Ironically, Spanish came a lot easier to me today. I was able to communicate with the children more, and that left me with a sense of peace! Homecoming was absolutely incredible tonight. It was a packed house! We did worship music with Dawson and Amanda on the guitar, Sammy on the drum he made today out of wood, and the girls singing both Spanish and American versions of each song. It was beautiful. Christian and Devon preached with Casar interpreting. It was such a sweet sight. I watched and listened in awe. Raphaelle, whose house we painted yesterday, who had never been came to church tonight. I loved watching him and his wife as they watched and listened so contently. You never know the impact that you have on someone from painting a simple house.