Less Than A Month "Officially"

Well today is the 3 week mark.  Not sure why, but that is a significant mark for me.  Last week was 4 weeks, but you could still say it was a month away.  Can’t say that anymore.  Now we are officially UNDER a month until the trip.  While I’m still working on the packing/supplies checklist, I’m almost done with the major checklist.  The list of those things that would prevent me from going.  Passport, yes.  Visa, yes.  Shots, yes.  Those are really the big 3.

And the advice is really starting to come without end.  Some from people that have been to Kenya and/or Africa and some from people that have never left Nebraska.  It’s both fun and worthwhile to listen to all the advice.  You’d be amazed how many people are sure I’m going to get attacked by a lion.  Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking on their part.  :)

I’ve been looking at the blogs and websites of others that have gone to any part of Africa on a mission trip.  And it’s amazing to see how grateful the missionaries are to have the chance to share with the people of Africa.  That is so exciting to see and I am so ready to experience that for myself. 

I’ve also started reading a book called “The White Man’s Burden” by William Easterly.  It is about how large plans of international aid to poor countries have failed.  So far I’m only 15 pages in and this man makes a lot of sense.  It’s the small bits of aid here and there that do the most good.  So maybe he considers what we will be doing as doing some good.  I hope so.

Tony

22 Days To The Experience Of A Lifetime

Well, it’s now 22 days.  22 days.  It is hard to believe that it is just over three weeks away.  We have a meeting June 5^th to go over the last final details of the trip and to pack all the supplies.  And that will be the last time we are together until we all hit the airport the morning of the 17^th.

I haven’t really been able to think of much else in those moments where I’m not busy.  If I’m not looking around my house wondering what to take, I’m thinking about what we might be doing in Africa each day.  Now I’m trying to prep the technology side of things.  What will I need to take to make sure my laptop will work, my cell phone, and all the cameras that everyone will take?

I have to say I am really looking forward to that first moment where the fact I’m in Kenya hits.  I’m not sure where or when it will be, as soon as I get off the airplane, as soon as we get to the hotel, or maybe not until the next day when we have a chance to be out in Nairobi?  So much to see and feel and hear and just to experience.  This will be a trip to remember forever.

Tony

Only 24 Days Left

Well, it is Monday.  So now I’m down to less than 24 days until we fly to Kenya.  I find it interesting how many people are asking about the trip now that it is getting close.  I’ve been telling people about the trip for probably 5 months and it seems that within the last 2 or 3 weeks people have really started to ask about the trip.  Well, I’m glad they are interested.  I’m happy to share all I know.  Which is nothing compared to what I will know when I return.  Which in turn will still be nothing compared to all that Kenya and Africa are.

I’ve also been working on my list.  I keep adding to the list.  I went through trying to figure out what clothes would weigh and I’m going to be in trouble if we don’t do some laundry.  Not that I won’t have space, but I want to leave enough space for the donations I’ve been getting.

I am so ready to go.  And yet terrified I will forget something that will be needed.  But I can’t anticipate everything or else I won’t be open to the new and amazing things I will see.  I don’t want to spend my time worrying about every detail, even as I worry about every detail leading up to checking in at the airport.

Tony