Headed to the Midwest!

The world has been a busy place for us lately. I have not really had an opportunity to shake the jet lag from the trip to Africa yet, because we have been working full tilt to get prepared for the next trip in late March 2007. I know that March seems like a long ways off, but if we are going to ship items over and have them to port, cleared through customs, and licensed properly for use in Cameroon, the container needs to leave for port no later than 10 January 2007.

So that has been the main focus of my days and nights. I am becoming quite the proffesional begger: "Hey mister, can you spare a used shovel?", "a few hundred dollars?", "or how about your 2004 Chevy cargo van?" The list goes on... I actually raised $500 by playing the piano and singing the other night! (fyi, I have no idea how to play the piano!) - no kidding.

So the answer to all of the above questions has been a resounding YES!

People recognize the great potential of the project, and they want to help in any way that they can. So Briana and I are flying to Chicago tomorrow to pick up a cargo van with 25,000 miles on it. We will then drive about 20 minutes west to receive some general business machines (fax, xerox, printers, computers, etc.). After that we will find a place to stay for the night. The next day we will be off to Milwakee, WI to pick up a trailer full of general construction tools, a generator, air compressor, and air tools. After we leave Milwakke we are off to Fredonia, WI where we are to make home base at a friends home. We will spend Christams in Fredonia where I am hoping to bump into my good friends Travis and Michelle on Christmas day.

On the 26th it is on to Madison, WI for several meetings with all sorts of business owners where the questions will be less than shy:

• Sir, can you donate a car or two from your dealership?
• Sir, can you spare a few refridgerators, and commercial kitchen equipment from your appliance stores?
• Madam, can you donate a minimum of $6,000 to sponsor the cost of shipping from PA to Kumbo?

after all of the meetings we will drive back to PA. Since what we will come back with is in the air we have other drivers lined up. We could come back with more than expected.

So, Life is different. It lacks a lack of purpose. It lacks a lack of excitement. It lacks a lack of flexibility and fluidity. Life is good.

I will have a cell phone on this trip, and I will take my laptop, so email will be checked. If you need to know the mobile number, please email me and I will call you with it.

Now to answer a very commom question I have been receiving about what we want for Christmas. The answer is simple. Do not give us anything. We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams. If you want to give a gift, donate money to the project. Email me for details or click on the donate button off to the left hand side. 100% of the money that is donated will go directly to the projects. I will use it to purchase items from the list of needs that will be sent in mid January. No amount is too small, everything is appreciated.

I know that I still need to leave a few thoughts about the trip. I will do that once this container is off to sea. I should have a moment to breathe. Then I will have a few stories to tell.

Until then, please have the most wonderful holiday season with your friends and family. Briana and I wish you all the best.

xoxo