Goodbye to the Orphanage

My last couple of visits to the orphanage were some of the hardest times I have been through. I hated saying goodbye to my friends, but I knew that I could see them again in the states or in other parts of the world. But the little orphans was a different story. Even if I could return to Nigeria many years from now, I wouldn't be able to see these precious babies ever again as they would have been adopted, returned to their parents or moved to government orphanages. Even writing this now makes me cry thinking about how these tiny humans made such an impact on my life. I know I will never stop loving and praying for all of the orphans I met in Nigeria. I know that some of these smart kids have the ability to be so successful in their life and careers and grow up to be the teachers, lawyers and actors that they told me they would be!!

all lined up for lunch. With little Samuel in the corner giving me the look

selfie with Esther

Blessing and Everett loving the camera

selfie with Blessing, one happy little girl!

Victor was not happy to go upstairs for his nap, so I tried to cheer him up with my phone

selfie with Victor

 

Ella with her lips!

Ella and Victor watching the maintenance guy in the bathroom

Victor finally stopped crying!

Ella giving the goldfish some love

Daniel trying on my glasses

laughing at himself!

Oluma trying on the glasses

too cool for school!

Samuel, Precious and Blessing smiling in line

Samuel done with the paparazzi!

my attempt to get a group shot

baby Ebube

new baby Mark

Victor fast asleep with his lip hanging out!

Oluchi snoozing away

saying my last goodbyes to the babies at naptime

Samuel giving me his best cheese!

saying goodbye to Lady Bethy (Mama), the founder and heart of the orphanage

Last Days in Lagos

It was an incredibly tough decision but in March, Jason decided to take a new position with Noble Drilling. It is an exciting opportunity for his career and to move to the Middle East, but it was also very very sad to know that we would be leaving Lagos for good. After my year and a half there, I had made so many best friends and enjoyed all the volunteer opportunities that I had taken part in.
Therefore, we spent our last couple of weeks getting together with all of our friends and enjoying the best of Lagos!

One Saturday night in Lagos at Jason Ertl's apartment

multiple group selfie time!

Sam and Jason having a drum off

showing off their skills

passing around the Fireball bottle...

finishing it off in style!

high fives all around!

group bonding

the bush bar actually brought the beers on ice, the first for us in Lagos!

our apartment was all packed up :(



one last trip to the beach school to see our hard working students

group photo

eager to learn

just being their precious selves!!

I was helping this little one that was hard at work while the others played.

Hercules sponsored the race at the yacht club

Jason representing Hercules with all of the winners

random butterfly lady statue in the roundabout under Falamo Bridge

our last weekend in Lagos spent at the week and going out in style!

Jason enjoying his beer in the pool

lazy hammock day

the mural completed at the beach house

leaving the beach on the boat for the last time



Jason rocking the speaker old school style

one last picture of my fave, the Winners Barbar's Shop featuring Tupac!

enjoying a little Veuve before leaving Lagos



goodbye to Murtala Mohammed Airport