On a journey...

Finally landed. After a looong journey (including a 2 hour queue to get through security and passport control at São Paulo airport due to a strike) I arrived home on Thursday to snow. Not a white-coated scenery, but big flakes of snow falling from the sky. Obviously I was a wee bit cold in my vest-top and cardigan. It was strange to get home, but lovely to see family again, including my sister-in-law's bump which is soon to be a niece or nephew. Saying goodbye at Fortaleza airport was tearfilled, and to my great amazement I had a whole delegation seeing me off. Boys and staff from the farm and city centre, as well as other friends were there bright and early to see me off, and allow me to give them one last hug. It was very sad, and felt very final. Then I arrived home. On Friday I flew up to Bergen for a lovely celebration of my cousin's 30th Birthday. Then I flew back home on Saturday, and had a 2.5 hour delay of my flight coming back. Quite ironic, after a 28 hour journey wi...

The last day here is almost over. It’s been a surreal day. As heavy rain put a stop to my plan of one last top-up of my tan, I did the obligatory manicure/pedicure and eyebrows at the beauty-salon. I repacked my bag a few times, and now I’m doing some final bits on the computer before that too will be switched off and packed safely into a bag. This evening I went to my favourite (well, since it’s basically the only one in town, there’s not much choice) cafe with some friends which was very nice, and it took my mind off leaving…at least a bit. At 5:30 am tomorrow morning we set off for the airport, where I am sure many tears will be shed as I say a final goodbye. Please pray for my journey and my arrival back home. As excited as I am to see friends and family again that side of the globe, my mind at the moment is focused on those I’ll leave behind here.

It was with real sadness I went to my last Body Combat class here in Fortaleza. As I was boxing and kicking away to special sound effects and well-timed choreography, tears came to my eyes several times as I realized that this is the end of another thing. After the class I got sweaty hugs from the instructor and a few people I’ve gotten to know over the course of the many years I’ve been going there. I was surprised at how heavy I felt at leaving, I guess I am only now realizing how much of a life-line being able to go to my Body Combat classes at the gym regularly has been. I remember at times being so angry at life, situations, people; and thanking God for giving me a place where I could have an outlet for that anger. And I remember other times when I’d be so frustrated, and feel so lost and without routine, I’d thank God for giving me at least one activity which was regular in my week. And I'd thank God for times when I just wanted to be, and not have to be responsible for anyon...

I think ”overwhelmed” sums up what I’ve felt like the last few days. Completely overwhelmed. Both emotionally and by things. The past days have been full of (both time-wise and literally) organising, sorting, throwing away, and ploughing through 6 years of stuff accumulated. To some I might be described as a horder, but I like to think of it as good stewardship. I am sure my fellow ”it-might-come-in-useful-some-day-in-the-future-so-I-better-keep-it” will agree. ”Waste not, want not”, isn’t that how the saying goes. I sorted through little pieces of coloured paper…useful to make a mosaic; used jiffy-bags…useful for sending parcels, if you’re not in Brazil (here you need to use the official cardboard box)…half-empty shampoo bottles, if I suddenly found myself in desperate need of shampoo….old Norwegian cross-word magazines, in case I suddenly remembered some intricate word I hadn’t managed to fill in. In short: STUFF. It was quite emotional, not just because of the stuff, but because of...

Well, what to all of the above have in common, you might ask. Well, they are all events in the last 4 days. Saturday. Having spent all morning setting up an elaborate "Easter Walk" to do with my little discipleship group, I must admit that the stress level went up when 22 instead of 12 kids turned up. It is good that they come, but trying to cram 22 kids into a little office to seriously think about Jesus praying in Gethsemane is not ideal. Especially when they would be pinching and pushing eachother all the time. Still, we managed to get to Easter Sunday, and they all left content, I think. I got lots of hugs and little letters from my regular kids which was nice. Sunday. At lunchtime we had a leaving barbeque at the project. A lot of people came, and even if I am not one for big groups of people, it was nice that so many came to say goodbye. The food was nice and the people were lovely. A really nice ending. That was lunchtime. At five in the afternoon I was strolling along...

Well, I am at the end of my final week at work. It's a been a surreal week where I've not really thought that much about it being the last week, yet realizing that it is. Monday. What did I do on Monday? Some friends of mine were renewing their wedding vows, so we all headed off to the farm in the evening to be a part of celebrating that. It was lovely. Tuesday. The goodbyes start. Neide and I took the bus to CECAL to say goodbye to a group of 5 boys we know who are in prison there. Boys who I have known practically since I came here in 2001. Boys who participated in the "Open House". Boys who've been in and out of prison for I don't know how many years. Boys, some of whom have even spent time living on the farm. It was strange to say bye to them because I realize that they are now no longer kids, but adults. Two of them are fathers, one with no relationship with his daughter, the other looking to the future hoping to provide for his young family. I hope that ...