Guess what!? I’m going to the moon! Not really, but to some it seems to be so. My 8 year old niece drew me this picture:
In truth, I depart home, sweet and beautiful South Dakota this weekend. I will spend 2 days in Philadelphia for final staging, and then off
to The
Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa, with the United States Peace
Corps. There I will be a primary teacher trainer, training local teachers in
new methodologies and curriculum, developing literacy programs, teaching, and
creating projects to meet the needs of the locals.
One long year after applying, and four fast months after
being assigned to The Gambia, the countdown is now very short, single digits
short. This week my goal is to soak in the beauty that surrounds me in my home,
friends, and family and also somehow convince myself to pack. I’ve always hated
packing, and packing for 27 months to move to the other side of the world with
no electricity or running water is a little daunting. A few of the items on my
packing list are a solar charger to power an African cell phone and my kindle,
and a sunhat for days that can get up to 130 degrees. I’ve got a French press
to make coffee sans electricity, a short stack of children’s books for school,
and gardening gloves to green my thumb.
Upon arrival in The Gambia, I begin training. I will live
with a host family while studying the language, culture, and technicalities of
what I am to do there. I will train with a small number of other volunteers,
and at the end of training we are individually sent to different villages to
begin two years of service. As
mentioned, I will most likely not have electricity so updates to this
blog will be infrequently made when I travel to larger villages or cities. The
best method of communicating with me will be through snail mail.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers during my time
of service. I’m feeling very nervous, but I know that I go with God’s
protection and guidance. Missing you already!
“Whoever serves must do so with the strength God supplies
that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 4:11
I hope youve arrived safe!!
ReplyDelete