Apart from the goodbye parties, there were individuals and families to enjoy a final time together with, cards to write and conversations to have that affirmed the role they had played in our lives.
This is Bekele, Justin's Eritraean tennis coach
These were truly lush, tropical, tennis courts in the neighbouring road to ours
This is Norman's roadside fruit stall where we were regulars
We were very lucky to live so close to a Tuskys that sold freshly baked loaves for only 40p each
Bethanie's Year 3 classroom in 'The Corridor' that won't be there if we pay a return visit as it's being redeveloped.
Dau is worried that he will miss Justin's pizza, so a pizza-making lesson is organised and he, Justin and Ayuel enjoy the results (no pre-prepared pizza bases here - this is from scratch!)
Our lovely downstairs neighbours, Prakesh & Purnima, with Harsh, Dhruv and Anant. Where else will neighbours send round roses on a regular basis and feed you whenever you visit?!
Our home slowly becomes a house as it gets emptied of all our stuff and we move out (very grateful for SIM guesthouse!). Much went on sale and many bargains were had!
Bethanie has a goodbye party for her friends - Milka, Kalkidan, India, Aaliyah, Charlotte, Cheri, Alice, Sheila and Isabel
The church hosts a goodbye lunch for us, especially to thank Justin for all he has contributed to the Sunday School team.
We were very touched by their words, gifts and just how many came along to say their goodbyes. They really took us into the Good Shepherd family.
And here is Deborah's lovely book group who have read and discussed on an incredibly diverse range of topics, from toxic charity (our first book) to shipping containers! They are an awesome bunch of women and have come to the rescue of my sanity on more than one occasion xxx
Going, going, going... Will what is left really fit in 3 cubic metres to be shipped to the UK?
Susie Harker, friends from Pathfinder camp days (leaders on Romsey 2 together), and happily reunited via a chance sighting in a Nairobi car park and some facebook detective work!
Caleb's class do a whistlestop round the world tour of 10 the 13 nations they represent for their final assembly
The ever-loving and laughing Maggie at Amani ya Juu
Leaving our evening with this family felt agony - a 4-way tearing of bonds. Bethanie and Aly...
...us grown-ups with Theresa and Jake and then Caleb and Joel have escaped the camera somehow.
Justin's 40th birthday came just days before we left, so there was a bit too much happening to celebrate in much style but we did enjoy time (and some cake) with Pastor James Haruun...
...and then we enjoyed lunch
a deux at Matbronze, somewhere we'd not been before but which had lovely salads and a garden as well as the bronze sculptures.
And then there was some more cake
And then there was supper with Dau at J's favourite restaurant, Mediterraneo
Caleb's high energy farewell fling started at Jaffrey's Park - here Lucas, Caleb and Alvero test who can make the transfer between the parallel bars...
...then it's time for a bit of rugby...
...and sliding...
...before refuelling at Mambo Italia. (L to R) Lucas, Ali, Alvero, Bethanie, Deb, Caleb, Sula and Killian.
Bethanie gets a Form Prize at school prize-giving
Visiting Dau in his home in Karen, near to the Uni where he is studying Community Development
Then on to lunch with Toyin and Victor Cole, our brilliant Bible Study Group leaders and staff at the same University (Africa International University, formerly NEGST).
A final time to enjoy bumping into Katie at school pick-up time.
Caleb's awesome Maths, English, History and Rugby teacher - Mr Stansfield
Bethanie's very lovely class teacher - Mrs Neky
In the SIM guesthouse, little Ephraim was our neighbour...
...along with his mum, Tibarek, who normally serves in Doro but was awaiting the birth of Ephraim's little sister. They were the last ones to wave us off to the airport. My heart still aches as I think of that moment. Thank you South Sudan and Kenya, it has been a privilege to call you home.
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