Today is the first shopping experience I had to begin to prepare the family for our great Africa Adventure in which we leave in six short days. Now mind you, it's not like I haven't begun to prepare until today, I started preparing on Tuesday! Seriously, life is so full of events and activities, that I just take it as it comes, and prepare for the next event...finally...Africa is at the forefront. So I spent over $1K (big ouch) outfitting my crew...what did that buy? Well, not a lot when you consider I was buying for six people, and when I broke it down and realized I only spent about $166.67 per person, and that included quick-drying pants and shirts and undergarments, as well as rugged sandals for all...well...I don't feel so bad. Of course, it wasn't evenly spent amongst the six of us, because I needed not only quick drying pants, but a quick drying skirt as well, and a hat (that hopefully won't need to be quick-dried, because that would probably mean I somehow was in the water, and I've heard stories of alligators...so...), and a new pair of sunglasses. Hopefully my kids aren't reading this!
Let me introduce myself. My name is Cheri, I am 29 and SEVERAL months (I'm talking about 144 months), mother of four, wife of one, and about to embark with my family on a six week journey to Africa in which we will endeavor to touch a small number of people in a way that hopefully will make a positive impact on their lives, I know it will touch our own lives. My husband Tim goes to Africa regularly, and all of us except the youngest (Bransen) have gone at least once. Tim is Executive Director of Assist International and oversees the building of children's homes for vulnerable children, as well as the upgrading of hospitals and villages throughout Africa.
Last summer Tim was gone for most of the summer, and we all decided that we didn't like that too much, so we decided to tag along with him (the benefit of many, many airline miles that add up nicely, thank you Northwest Air!) So we are renting a house site unseen, and moving our crew over there to help with several projects. Our crew consists of Tim (the Dad who is as relaxed as any man just having another day in the office), Cheri (the Mom who is as relaxed as any woman embarking with her family to Africa and all the unknowns that can be conjerred up with a VERY active imagination), Chase (the 18 year old recent high school grad who is coming along in search of the great adventure - and he better find it, because he is giving up his last summer with all of his friends before heading out to college), Westin (the 16 year old who is giving up both a lovely girlfriend for the summer, as well as a summer of football, which is going to hurt him once the season starts--he is going to have to do 2500 up-downs to make-up for lost time!), Hayden (the 13 year old, who has mixed feelings about coming, a very tender heart and excited about helping, yet he's going to miss lots of relaxing by the pool, fun with friends, and of course...playstation), and Bransen (the 9 year old, who really has no idea what is going on regarding Africa, except that he's counting on lions, tigers and alligators...throw in some reptiles, preferably if they are in our house and make Mom scream, and he'll have a great summer adventure.) So that is our crew. We leave behind two dogs (thanks G-pa and G-ma and Alexanders!). Tomorrow I will let you know what exactly we plan to do while in Africa. Until then, I have LOTS more laundry to do, bills to pay, things to figure out, more purchases to be made, and at some point, I need to get a little bit of sleep!
I hope this blog will be something that lets those who care into our adventure, so you can send warm thoughts our way, and prayers up for safety and effectiveness.
Ciao,
Cheri
