(1) The sweet faces of girls as they received their National Geographic schoolbags filled with writing materials. While looking through the viewfinder of my camera, I was too busy to really "see." Now, even 3 months after the trip, I feel a wave of emotion when I look at their smiles, body language and clear expressions of gratitude. When I see them, I wonder constantly what their winter has been like.

(2) I shall never forget the generosity of the adults who received us. We saw firsthand the Muslim value of hospitality and generosity to strangers, but it was more than that. On our first day in Kabul, we felt secure enough to walk down 4 blocks of sidewalk markets and shops. So many Afghans passed me with a warm greeting and hand over their heart. There are very few Americans visible on city streets, and I think they could see by my mannerisms and wide-eyed openness that I was not a government or military person. They clearly were anxious to make me feel welcome!

(3) Our team of four came home from the dedication with hearts filled to overflowing and a sense that our job had only begun.  We were SO impressed with how the support of a small NGO can change the lives of so many children that we are not done. Although we plan to continue supporting Rabbinia Balkhi, we want to help build yet another school for about 750 children in the same area.

As a result of all this activity, our lives have certainly been changed forever. We hang on every piece of news that comes from Afghanistan. We wonder how our school is doing and whether the girls attending it are well and thriving. We have certainly increased our knowledge immeasurably of the issues surrounding that country. We dare to dream of a day when Afghanistan will know peace and reconciliation within and outside its borders and that we might have had a small part in making that a reality.

We are filled with love for the children, NGO support staff, Afghan teachers, and village elders that we encountered on our journey and wish for them a brighter future.