Jessi Marquez

Its a bittersweet time as our team reflects on the past 11 months of ourlives. Part of us is excited to be able to take a warm shower, weardifferent clothes, use a cell phone, and see our family and friends.The other half of us knows that this family we have grown accustomed towill never quite be the same. We have experienced real highs and lowswith each other and now its time to start a new season of our lives. Wehave helped wash each others hair out of a bucket, smelled one anothersbodies to see if a shower was necessary, and been there to talk forhours when processing some of the very hard things we have had to see this year.

I wanted to take this time to thank you for joining me in this journey. Although you may have not had the chance to wash lice out of the hairof children in the Philippines, or play freeze dance with AIDS Orphansin Uganda...you are as much part of this change as I am. Without yourprayers and encouragement (especially after the robbery in Tanzaniawhen I just wanted to throw in the towel and head back to America) and your financial support...this wouldn't have been possible.

Thank you so much and I can't wait to see you all in December and share with you how your contributions changed many faces around the world.