an end to an era, leaving the Bosch?!?

I am sitting in my classroom with one more day to go. I have ‘N Sync playing and it makes me so happy, maybe to much?!? Our time here in the Bosch is coming to an end (hopefully on Saturday) and it made me think about the time here and my time with Mercy Ships so far. It has been an interesting time here these past five months. I came so suddenly that I never thought much about the fact that for half of my time in Mercy Ships I would be living in the Bosch not the ship. In ways that has been good; it was kinda like easing into it. There where so many fewer people when I got to the ship and even less here these past few months. I have had a chance to meet and make connections with people. People are nice but you need people who you click with and who you can be your self with. That was something a bit nerve racking for me at first because I am loud and not always appropriate or supper conservative and I was worried about where my swearing ass would land amongst the people here. I am happy to report that I was able to find people who I click with and am so happy I have those relationships established before the crazy-ness begins in full swing.
I have had great opportunities in my time here. I was very lucky to go on a safari with great people here and am so thankful for that. There have been lots and maybe to many trips to the mall or mug and bean. There was a great and much needed wine tasting, canopy tours that where great and had amazing views. I have been able to play volleyball almost every weekend since we got here, which is my favorite sport and I love. I have been able to blend with the other teachers, which is great cause I was apprehensive joining an established team late. I have been able to get to know people here and am so excited that I will get to know them better. I have watched loads of movies and tv shows and have enjoyed the way they make it feel normal to be living in the middle of no where South Africa teaching ONE student. Might never get over that one. I have also been able to grow stronger in my faith by being in a place with so many Christians. Do not get me wrong it is not perfect. I frequently get annoyed by the judgment and gossip that happens here, and that I honestly take part in as well. It is a hard community to live in but one that I know is strengthening me and woke me up out of a slum away from God. When people ask how I heard about Mercy Ships I laugh because I tell them well actually, my sister-in-law and I where driving to the beach one morning, and she mentioned she and my brother wanted to do it, but that she had looked and there was a teaching job. I like to mention at that time I was not interested in listening and still battling a hangover from the night before celebrating one of my best friends wedding in style. Not my best moment, but with out it would I be here? Who knows? Tessa the before mentioned SIL likes to mention that she did not even think I was listening, I did not really think so either but some part of me was I guess. After the conversation I did not think about it for about a month and then one day after being home sick with the flu for the 4th day and reaching the end if the web, I looked into Mercy Ships. Three weeks latter from the email about the job I was on a flight to Togo. What the hell was I thinking?
I am so excited for the rest of my time here. I have kind of come to a conclusion that I will be going home in June and not extending. It is like 95% for sure. But then I think about what I would miss and who I would miss here and it makes it hard. I will make that decision when I am ready I guess but enjoy the time I do have here. I am so excited for Sierra Leone, I did not really experience Togo and am ready to experience West Africa. I can not wait for what is ahead of me and life on the ship and settling into that. I thought the transition would be a good time to be reflective hope you thought so to. Love you all lots Ang