our first home

We stayed the first two nights in Manzini, where we had our first party. This place was - uh, beautiful. The rooms had the best view. There were bananas growing outside our door. I discovered one of very few complaints about Africa here - I hate the door locks. Skeleton keys are no longer in use for a reason!

day #19

The Lance Armstrong Foundation

If you live in or near Austin, Texas, you can volunteer at the LAF office by assisting with a variety of administrative tasks. Office volunteers help keep the administrative costs down and help ensure the LAF's resources can be dedicated to helping people affected by cancer. You can also go to the website to make a donation. This foundation is especially dear to my heart b/c I lost my grandfather 10 years ago to cancer.

day 2 - arrival in Swaziland

We took a small plane to Swaziland and I was finally able to see Africa. It was nothing like I imagined, so lush and green, so beautiful! We landed at a small airport and had to go through customs - I was carrying 3000 balloons - 12 pounds of balloons. Was not quite sure what to say when the customs lady asked what they were for.

We were met by Patrick and our driver who took us to our resort style hotel. It was so beautiful - you will hear that word alot in the next few posts. We had pizza for lunch and we were off to our debriefing about the big party at Manzini. We expect 4,000 children at this first party. There were 10 stations, so I waited to see which one had the fewest volunteers before I stepped up - net ball (Africa's version of basketball). Yes, me and my 4'11 self was going to be reffing net ball, which is a girl's sport in Africa. We got our goals and whistles and I set off to learn the sport of netball.

After getting all of our instructions, Patrick took us to a care point, the primary reason of children's cup. I am not sure the statistics, but the majority of the children in this area are orphaned by one or both parents, primarily b/c of AIDS. Instead of placing these children in orphanages they find a family member or responsible party to take the children in. They feed them and even educate them in these care points, kind of reminded me of a YMCA. For $4 a month they can feed a child opposed to the hundreds it cost to put them into a orphanage. The schools in Swaziland are not free, so many of the children's only education come from the care points. The care points were so inviting. I met one of the teacher's and was so surprised at the resources she had to work with. She had made her own posters and the children sat in what we would consider lawn furniture. The school had no electricity. It would only cost around $150 to run electricity to the building and around $60 a month to maintain, yet the funds were not there to make it happen. I asked her what supplies she needed and she asked for crayons, dry erase markers, notebooks and a carpet for the winter months. It tore at my heart almost more than anything else on the trip. I know exactly what it is like to be in a classroom and wishing you had all of the supplies to be successful, hers were just the basics. I also learned to play rock jacks at this care point. The kids toss a "ball" (rock) into the air and then pick up the jacks (stones) one by one, then two-by-two and so forth. Creativity is an amazing thing.

day #18

One of the coolest radio stations on the air is listener supported. For every $40 donation KLOVE stays on a local station for one hour. Sponsor your local KLOVE station by making a donation in any denomination and make it in a friend's honor as a great Christmas gift. Listen online at http://www.klove.com/

day #17

St Jude's Hospital You can help the St Jude's hospital in so many ways. One is to shop their online catalog at http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/index.do
100% of profits go directly to St. Jude's Hospital.

day 1 - africa - please fasten your seat belts

Flying to another continent is not for wimps - I was so glad Verna had just gotten back from Bali and mentally prepared me for such a long flight. We flew out of Austin to Detroit, where we had our first of many layovers. Then, on to Amsterdam - 7 hours of flight. Thank goodness for in flight movies and a neck pillow from Verna. I watched Little Miss Sunshine and The Notebook. I got a couple hours of sleep, but not much. We arrived in Amsterdam at 5:00 a.m. I had a croissant, oh my goodness - they have some amazing pastries in Amsterdam. After yet another layover we were on our way to Johannesburg, Africa - 10 hour flight - bad movies, lots of sleep. We were on an airbus, this thing was huge. I had the entire 4 seats to myself, so I was finally able to sleep on this flight. As we approached Jo'Burg the captain told us we would have to circle the area b/c there was a strong storm. We finally were cleared for landing and the captain took us down really fast. The turbulence was super intense. I was by myself, so the only one there to hold my hand was God. I had never experienced turbulence like this, so I was scared, but the fear set in when I overheard Pastor Mel say he was afraid. All I could think of was Casting Crowns - I will praise you in this storm. I kept saying it over and over. I will lift my head, b/c you are who you are, no matter where I am. It helped, but I was so thankful when we finally touched down. It was very late, so I could not get my first glimpse of Africa that night. We stayed in an amazing Vegas style hotel and had a late dinner of grilled chicken. Hot shower and I was off to bed. The time change does weird things to your body. I cannot believe that I survived on the little amount of sleep I got over the eleven days, but God provided the adrenaline when needed. The flight was nothing compared to the ride of my life in the days to come. Fasten your seat belt, it was a ride!

pic taken flying over the Sahara Dessert

day #16

The Caring Place is a non-profit charitable organization whose main function is to help people in the Georgetown and northern Williamson County area with emergency needs. They help with food, clothing, rent, utilities, medical expenses, school supplies, transportation and much more when no one else can.

They are in need of volunteers, clothes, books, appliances, canned goods. You can also become a care partner for $10 a month. That would be a neat Christmas present to give. -- I made a monthly committment in your name to your fave charity.

in praise of Craigs list

I posted a lost dog ad on CL this morning.  Within 2 hours, our sweet Chloe was returned!  She had gone farther than the doors I knocked on yesterday afternoon, but all is well. 

teaser

It may take a few days before I can blog about the trip, but just wanted to give you a pic to hang on to.  I had an absutely amazing time.  I cannot wait to get back.  Tons of laundry to do, kisses to catch up on, Christmas gifts to wrap, tons of calories to burn, groceries to purchase, so must be going.  The girls are awake and ready for breakfast.

day #15

Angel Food ministries is a great non-profit that provides affordable meals at low cost to families regardless of financial status. Any one can participate. You can purchase meals for $30. There is enough food to feed a family of four for a week. A friend from church is one of the local hosts. You can also help distribute food on Saturday a month. Too see a menu or make a contribution check their website for a location in your area.