Africa Approaches

Things continue to move forward in our Sister City program with Chililabombwe, Zambia. Actually, it looks like I'll be going to Africa around the end of January. In what I can only credit to God's providence, there's a strong chance that I'll get to go for about 25% of the cost I thought. We'll probably take more than 10 people too, rather than 3 or 4. There's even a good chance that one of the local hospitals will donate the vaccinations, since they are not covered by insurance.

I'll have to start some of the shots now, and continue with them for six months. It's kinda scary, thinking about getting weakened third-world diseases injected into your body. But when you hear about how much need exists, and how we as a community have the power to help make a difference, it's hard thinking about things like that.

I had dinner earlier this week with some people who have a passion about the environment, and their background and passion can be used as well. The only thing I lack now is someone willing to write grants for some funding.

In the meantime, we're looking at trying to do something to help with the malaria problem over there. Kylie's been talking about how we're going to fight Malaria, as if she's an evil queen from a fairy tale. Her and the mosquito hoards she uses as her minions. It makes me feel like a superhero, so I just play along.