Monday, May 28, 2012

Date of Departure: May 30th!

In less than 60 hours I will be flying out of Kansas City to begin this journey!  People are asking me the customary question: Are you ready?  But words do not easily come as I attempt to express my feelings of excitement as I prepare for a culture and country that I have spent much time studying, knowing that my experience will trump all the research and stories books have told me.  As I load my bed with clothes, a journal, books, gifts, a box of Clif bars, bottles of hand sanitizer, vitamins, medicines, and five bottles of insect repellant (thanks mom), confident that it will fit within my backpack, duffel bag, and satchel, I realize that while these goods may prepare me for the rainy season, hungry mosquitoes, and days of work, and while the hours of research I have spent studying the political, economic and social systems may prepare me for the institutions and cultural structures I will soon be a part of, nothing can prepare me for the relationships that will develop and the perspectives I will gain from living and working with the people of Tanzania.

I cannot say 'thank you' enough to all of you who have supported this trip! I am deeply grateful for your encouragement and belief in my calling to service. You will be in my heart throughout the summer!