T-minus 4 Days

So I'm sitting here, high on coffee and graham crackers, half-heartedly studying for a PC501: Pastoral Counseling quiz, and thinking that in four days I'll be on a plane...for a really, really, really, really, really long time.

Yes, friends, I'm heading out to the continent so aptly described by Chuck D as the "Bass Mutha Land, the Place of the Drum." For those of you who have sent me money I can only say a warm thank you. For those of you who rolled your eyes and threw the letter in the trash...wait, none of you would do that...:)

In all seriousness though, I am getting pretty pumped. My longest plane ride was to Australia in 2004 and I don't remember it being all that bad, but this one trumps it by two stops (one in Atlanta and one in Senegal) and an additional flight from Johannesburg to Lilongwe, Malawi. That my internal clock is going to take a pounding is an understatement, especially considering that when we come back we will have "sprung forward" our clocks in the states.

But these minutia concerns are but cobboldia on the massive elephant that is going to Africa for a week! My great desire is to be humbled beyond all capacity, meet some great people, strengthen relationships between myself and my team, and let God do His thing. Again, I will try to update the blog while I'm there, although I'm not sure if I will be able to upload pictures just yet.

And on a slightly tangential note, Dale Jr. and the #88 team finished second yesterday in Vegas and moved into the top 10 in points. Team's lookin' pretty good, I'm just sayin'.

So that's about it. I'm going to attempt now to fall asleep after two cups of Starbucks, but I'll keep you updated as the trip progresses.

Thanks again to all who have given or are going to give support to this trip.

Peace,

Shiz