Saying Goodbye

Goodbyes didn't come easy as we packed to return to the States and leave Bolivia behind. We never know if we'll go back for good or not, but for now we said goodbye to the friends and families we came to love. Here is a collection of photos from our last few weeks in Bolivia.

Lilly wasn't so sure of the packing process!
This is our maid Pura who we will miss dearly.
Friend and SAM missionary Laura Kienzle says goodbye to Lilly at our house.

Rocio was a close friend who lived with us for a year and could barely stand to part ways with Lilly. They shared an ice cream on Rocio's birthday May 17.

Elva and her family made Lilly a hat for her to remember them - what a sweet family we will miss.

Charles shed a few tears when it was time to leave Seidy behind. She is in a good place with lots of space to play but we'll miss her all the same.

These sisters hated to say goodbye to Lilly as they have enjoyed having her in the village.

I taught the children one last lesson in the village before saying "so long."

This elderly lady asked me not to forget to pray for the "old folks" too as we returned to the States.
Our good friend Mirtha says goodbye to Lilly through her tears. She is a dear friend and inspiration to us.

Rocio and Lilly couldn't be any happier!
Friends Claudia and Gustavo and their three girls were close friends of ours who we hope to see again in the States or in their native country Argentina.
These are the neighbors who we impacted without knowing. They waited until we said goodbye to tell us how much we had a made a difference in their lives.

Dra. Vidal we will never forget - she delivered Lilly and was not only a doctor but a close friend. She gave Lilly a t-shirt with the Santa Cruz shield that says "I carry you in my heart" the day we left Bolivia.
Lilly's friends from the gym say goodbye.

We said goodbye in another Ayore village. The children were heartbroken we were leaving and so were we.
The kids were crazy about 'Acade' (Lilly's Ayore name) and begged me to leave her in the village for them to take care of her.

Lilly wasn't sure what to think of all the goodbyes
This is at our goodbye party with team members Bill and Bev Smith and Toni and Placido Mercado.
They gave us beautiful Bolivian pillow covers and a precious cross for Lilly to wear when she's a bit older.

Rosa and Hermana Nancy that worked at the SAM base were some of our closest Bolivian friends and boy an they cook!
Jorge, the guard, loved Lilly!
Baby Phoebe, two days younger than Lilly, was one of her best friends in Bolivia and her mom Mickey was one of mine. Aunt Adreanna helped us pack until the last minute! Toni and Placido were really sad to see us go and even sadder to part with Lilly at the airport the morning we left.