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We had a final party with the Abidjan families in the same mission
compound where the students had been taking French classes.  Everybody
said goodbye while the drivers hefted all the baggage onto the top
of the bus. Ivoirian buses always seem to have a tall stack of goods
and even animals perched precariously on top reminiscent of the
amazing loads some women carry on their heads.
Michael Schaaf was the last to board the bus. As  it
pulled away, host families and students waved to each other in what
would be for many their last encounter. Some weeks ago, a maid in
one family asked a student why she could not return to Ivory Coast
for a visit. The student responded that it was quite expensive,
but the maid persisted in asking how much and pointing out that
Americans have lots of money. When the student reluctantly suggested
the approximate cost, the maid was silent for a long time. Perhaps
she realized not only that this was an astounding sum, but that
someone had already paid that amount for this student's trip here.
The average Ivoirian income is about $600 per year, and we who have
had the opportunity to come here are indeed priveleged in the world.
We drove through a mild drizzle across the city to the airport,
the leaders following the bus in the car. In fact, Ned's bag did
fall off; but suffered only minor scuffing. The airport is busy
this time of year with many French people coming here for vacations.
The students left one hour late.
So ends the group experience, but surely the story continues as
each student remembers these days and reflects on them further.
The host families too, have shared something that will live on in
their thoughts. We hope that by building relationships and sharing
experiences we are increasing the understanding between our peoples.
Next year David Moseley and Kathleen Massanari will be here to
lead another group of SST students from Goshen College. They made
a short visit here this summer to get acquainted. They'll return
in April 2000. So, we symbolically pass them the keys to Chez Goshen
and wish them a good experience here in Côte d'Ivoire.
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