Current Proceedings

Hello everyone!

Thank you to those who were able to attend my presentation last week! And thank you to all the people who have been so generous in their financial support. I am ecstatic to announce that my current standing in fundraising is $4,602.28!!! I am almost there! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

The day after I gave my presentation I went on a trip to New York with a couple of my close friends, Allison  Hencke and Kristen Anhalt to visit our mutual friend Joey Stamp, see the sights and attend a Mumford and Sons concert. It was a really great week. I had stressed so much in preparation for my presentation that getting away from it all was a huge blessing. We got back in town on February 13th and I jumped right in the next morning with the rest of my preparation for leaving on the 4th of March. Since being home I have accomplished a handful of things that I'd like to share with you!

First thing in the morning on Valentine's Day I went and got vaccinations. I got Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. The doctor explained that the Malaria vaccination isn't currently available but it's really a non-issue because Johannesburg does not lie in the malaria stricken parts of South Africa. At his recommendation I talked to Seth and Merrishia and they have access to an anti-malaria pill in case we should happen to travel into those parts of the country. I also don't need to get the Yellow Fever shot because South Africa doesn't have that disease. If I was going to transfer flights in one of the countries in the Yellow Fever belt, I would have had to get it. As I will not enter any of those countries the Yellow Fever shot is unneeded.

I booked my flights. I will leave O'Hare on March 4th at 4:30pm, transfer in Amsterdam after a 7 1/2 hour flight and spend another 10 hours and 55 minutes in the air from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. On the return flight, when I will leave at 10:30pm from Johannesburg, I will have two transfers, the first in Paris and the second in Amsterdam. Taking in the time difference and amount of time spent in the air, I will touch down at O'Hare at about 2:30pm on June 1st. I am very grateful that God orchestrated the past two months to include flying twice to New York from various locations, having to transfer flights and dealing with cancelled flights because I am now comfortable with flying and feel no fear about that aspect of  the adventure.

I found out that it is very easy to be issued an international driver's permit. I just have to go to the local AAA agency with a completed application form found on their website, two passport photos, a driver's licence and 15 US Dollars. I filled out the application and will make copies at church tomorrow and try to hit up the AAA on Monday!

I asked my friend Allison Hencke for some help looking into the VISA situation. According to the official website for the South African Consulate General people who will be in South Africa for less than 90 days are not required to hold a VISA. We counted twice and I will be in South Africa for 88 days. Hooray! I called the office to confirm this and had to leave a message, but I will try again on Monday.

I bought a outlet adapter so that I can take my computer and charge my camera and other electronic devices I'll have with me

Well, that is it for now! Please keep praying and watching my blog! If you haven't sent any financial support yet please consider it! I'm almost there but I still need a few hundred more dollars!

In Christ!
Alison