In Senegal February 15, 2009

We dropped the team off at the airport yesterday and at this point they should be on the ground in Dakar.  It is 6am Sunday morning in Dakar (they are approx. 8 hours ahead of us).  The first day they’ll spend in Dakar and stay with Herma Bode, a missionary friend who has a home there.

Unfortunately for our family here, the dad leaves and the baby gets sick!  That does not make the momma very happy!  But on the bright side, Alex somehow managed to get me a Valentine’s Day gift all the way from Africa!  Sneaky, sweet little hubby, that one!

As I hear more, I will post to update everyone.  The plan is for them to text me as things happen in order to keep everyone back home apprised of what is going on there in Senegal.

Less than 2 weeks February 2, 2009

The team is leaving on Feb. 13, so less than 2 weeks to go.  Our family has been a little bit busier this year & that has resulted in less updates to this blog.  But here are the details:

• 8 people are going from Poulsbo/Kitsap area.  3 more from Colorado will join the team in New York.  (The Randalls led the team last year & moved to Colorado.  They have made a “recruit” who they’ll be bringing with them).
• This year’s focus will be a medical clinic to Keur Madiabel as well as at least one other village in the area.
• We are still in need of donations of medical supplies or money to purchase them.  (tax deductible!!)
• Both Alex & my mom are going so that leaves me without my 2 favorite people in the world.  Good thing I’ve got some good friends, my knitting & a few kids to occupy me!

I’m sure you remember that last year was hard because I was so ready & geared up to go and then couldn’t.  There wasn’t much for me to do besides go to the team meetings as a non-particpant.  This year has been a little easier because I’ve been able to be really involved.  I’ve led the team building/training sessions and helped to coordinate the fundraising efforts and language learning.  The best compliment I had was having someone tell me that they forget that I’m not going.  Makes me feel like I’m truly part of the team.

And so the countdown begins….