October 31 - Day 44

Last night late into the evening we were all called into a meeting. David, one of the students in the other group who is very sweet and who I unfortunately haven’t really gotten the chance to know, found out that his father has only several weeks to live and has return to the states. Today, Will one of the guys who came with me from NIU told our small group that due to a virus he has, which killing thousands in the US right now, he might have to return home to receive treatment unavailable here because he is legitimately afraid if he stays he might die. Tonight, Andy another NIU student found out that his father died, and while he knew it was coming he had been planning to return in a few days and had been praying he would have a chance to say goodbye. These guys are friends. In this crazy place they are our family. There is a lot to process and any thoughts I have at this point just seem trivial. Discontent just seems so ridiculous now.