Lord have Mercy... And Comfort... And Abigail

The day finally came when I was reunited my the precious pearls. The team and I arrived at The Pearl House Thursday afternoon. It took all I had to hold back my tears as we were driving into Winneba. Seeing their school, the familiar stores, and friends houses caused memories to overwhelm my brain. What was only a few hours seemed like days waiting for the girls to come home from school. Finally we heard them running down the road and I went to hide in my room to surprise them. As they settled down from seeing Daddy Steve, he had them close their eyes, and then I walked out. The girls quickly opened their eyes and sprinted off the couch. I was immediately enveloped in a group hug, being tossed back and forth, hugging anyone in arms length. Abigail was next to me, Rita held on to my legs like I would disappear if she let go, and Olyvia was in shock. Their reaction was better than I could have imagined. Within the first 10 minutes we were back dancing and singing together. I was back in The Pearl House groove. It was a relief. As I walked into the house I wasn't quite sure where my place would be. I wasn't really an intern anymore, my room wasn't mine. What was I? As soon as I saw my girls though, I knew. I am their family and they are mine. I am their friend and they are mine. I am a follower of God and will be where He wants me. The day continued on like it would have six months ago with chores, studying, dinner, and devotion. At devotion I told the girls that one of my reasons for coming on this trip was to show them that I will be in their lives and that I will come back. I pray that they can trust me and believe that I will always be a part of their lives. As I read with some of the girls after devotion I felt like a proud mother. The way they have advanced in their reading and sounded out the words amazed me.  So many things have changed and they have all grown physically, mentally, and spiritually.