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Volunteering In Africa? Here’s how to manage your first few days
Source: Volunteering In Africa? Here’s how to manage your first few days
A true story that will make you choke and shiver with joy: “Kisses from Katie”
I absolutely sped through this incredible book about an eighteen
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So far, so good.
5/29/15: So far, so good.
We drove to Dallas last night because of the potential of flooding and traffic. Had a leisurely Whataburger next to the Comfort Inn, and woke up to flash flood warnings, road closures and water rescues around the Metroplex.
After a spot of coffee, we took a leisurely five-minute shuttle ride to the airport, and found a “free” luggage cart next to our drop-off point.
We loaded up our 250-plus pounds of luggage and took a leisurely walk to the Delta ticket counter. A very friendly agent at the kiosk area checked us in and gave us our boarding passes.
On the the luggage drop-off and another friendly and funny Delta agent checked our bags all the way to Entebbe, which was yet another pleasant morning surprise. We thought we had to pick up all of our bags and run them through customs in Amsterdam, with what seemed to be a way too short hour and twenty minute window to connect to our final flight to Entebbe.
We received pre-check tags for our carry-ons and some sort of pre-TSA screening, meaning a short line, no searches, and we didn’t have to open any of our bags or show anything we were bringing. Remarkably simple, easy and pleasant.
The only glitch has been self-inflicted. I kept setting off the metal detector and kept thinking it was the three screws in my surgically repaired ankle. Just before the required pat-down, I realized I had my cell phone in a lower pocket of my cargo pants and was allowed to continue on my journey.
A cup of Starbucks coffee later, and we’re sitting at our gate, waiting to board our flight to Detroit.
From drop-off at the curb to now took just about an hour. I’m sure it has to do with all the prayers directed our way, but this has been the easiest, least stressful, and best airline experience either of us have ever had.
Our African aventure itinerary for discernment
This is the amazing itinerary our friend Aloysius has designed and worked up for us. There may be some tweaking as we digest all we’re going to see and do.
To our many African friends, if you don’t see your name here, don’t despair. This trip is basically for discernment and planning. We anticipate being back in early 2016, living in Uganda, and there will be plenty of time to get better acquainted.
Just remember our purpose and reason for coming, which is Matthew 25. “Mother Teresa always told her sisters to remember the “Gospel on Five Fingers.” She would say the words, “You did it for Me,” as she held up each finger of her hand. These words come from the Judgement of the Nations (Matthew 25: 31-46) where Jesus tells us that we will be judged by how we treated those who were thirsty or hungry or sick.”
God Bless
Beginning the Adventure
It’s somewhat amusing hearing people’s reaction when you tell them your plans of traveling to Uganda for a three-week discernment; visiting orphanages, organizations and people, with the intent of moving there permanently (two years anyway) to do what we can to help.
We have a general idea of what we want to do but, until we see and experience Uganda first-hand, we don’t know what our focus will be.
The reactions of our friends and family seems to fall into two general categories; excitement that we’re taking the step or trepidation of the possible dangers.
Some people seem happy and excited for what we want to do, and are encouraging and a bit jealous that they don’t have the health, time or resources to do the same thing.
For others, the first words out of their mouth are, “You be careful”.
For a lot (most?) of Americans, the thought of Africa brings to mind Boko Haram, Idi Amin, Ebola, Aids, al Qaeda, famine, etc.
Maybe it’s the same when you think of an African coming to America, and their friends think drugs, gangs, traffic, prices, etc.
What I think none of our friends realize is the immense nature of Africa. The African continent is three times (!!) bigger than the United States. Uganda has, justifiably, the nickname of the Pearl of Africa. The distance from Kampala, Uganda to where Boko Haram is operating is probably the same distance as from Los Angeles to Boston.
We feel we’ll be as safe in Uganda as we are in most places in the USA, and probably a lot safer than many places. Safety is just not a major concern.
What we’re hopefully going to be doing is living out the five-finger gospel of Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa always told her sisters to remember the “Gospel on Five Fingers.” She would say the words, “You did it for Me,” as she held up each finger of her hand. These words come from the Judgment of the Nations (Matthew 25:31-46) where Jesus tells us that we will be judged by how we treated those who were thirsty or hungry or sick.
With that, God Bless and please pray for us.
Africa Far and Wide: Floods in Malawi
Well worth a look. Even in the face of an almost overwhelming human tragedy, this WordPress blogger’s writing is lyrical and beautiful. Her photography is spectacular.
https://africafarandwide.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/floods-in-malawi/
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Which Way? Our Way! 