Welcome to our new blog! You can read more about the purpose of this blog and our trip in the “About” section at the top of this blog.
Things are moving along with our trip plans… Liz and I have received confirmations from organizations in Sudan, Northern Iraq, India, Laos and Vietnam. And we’re still awaiting confirmations from South Africa/Zimbabwe, Egypt and Cambodia. I’m SOOOO psyched!!! I went to the Travel Clinic this past Thursday for my first round of shots (there are several shots that are highly recommended due to the places we’re traveling to…). I was a bit nervous about getting poked several times, but I actually survived without much pain. And the hour-long consultation I had with the travel nurse got me even more excited about our trip.
I’ve been looking forward to doing something like this for SO long.. Ever since high school, when I made the decision to pursue a career in photography, i’ve always had a huge desire to travel the world, and document the stories that Americans just don’t hear about… Well, i guess i can’t speak for all Americans, but I felt like in my life personally, I was pretty naive and ignorant to all that was happening around the world. Disease, poverty, death, abuse. And in enormous numbers…
I shared a quote recently taken from a speech that Bono gave at the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.:
(In referring to the tsunami in Asia a few years ago): “150,000 lives lost to that misnomer of all misnomers, ‘mother nature.’ In Africa 150,000 lives are lost every month. A tsunami every month. And it’s a completely avoidable catastrophe.”
That’s incredible…and hard to grasp…for me, at least… So I’ve always wanted to go and see for myself. And to do my part in helping to raise awareness and help those suffering around the world. Those without the amazing resources we are blessed with here in the United States. I mean, even with my shots…how incredibly blessed am I just go to a clinic, pay my $25 co-pay, and get like 10 shots that will help prevent me from getting all kinds of crazy diseases. Diseases that children die from every day. For $25…
I know that this trip is going to change my life. But I’m ready. I’m ready to see it all. I’m ready to be moved, ready to be awakened to reality, and ready to have a dream fulfilled…
-Blanca
WONDERFUL! What a thrilling adventure awaits you! Glad you’ve started the blog; no doubt you’ll have a fan club before long. Keep us aware of prayers we can share with you!!
I’m sorry…”Mom” was still there on the automatic feature…I s’pose you knew it was really ME.
This is awesome! As I read your description of what you’ll be doing, I kept thinking, “This is going to be so helpful!” I want to know and SEE what’s going on around the world, but obviously I can’t go see it all for myself. Thank you for your service.
is “mom” katie’s mom?
I am excited for y’alls adventure. Thanks for posting all the news stories and all. AND y’alls thoughts on stuff. Yay.