Departure.

I write to you from the American Airlines Admirals Club. My plane tickets are courtesy of my extremely generous aunt who has and incredible amount of flier miles - hence my business class status & admittance into the Admirals Club. Sort of bizarre that my flight is taking me to third would countries and I'm sitting in airport-created luxury, but I'll take what I can get.

I am so excited for this trip - it has been in the making for years & it is absolutely surreal that it is almost here. But I must say, I am a little bleary-eyed with tears as I write this. These last few weeks have made it extremely hard to jet off. Cancer, chaos, crisis, concern, crying - and here I am, ready to head out for twenty-seven days. Family, roommates, friends - there are so many people that I feel like I'm leaving during difficult stages. But a few nights ago as I was falling asleep, I reached a rather obvious conclusion that as an adult, there is never really a "good time" to peace out for a month. BUT - above all else, I know that I am being obedient in my calling to spend my God-given "free time" in Africa. As my presence would be welcomed here in Chicago, I know I am somehow needed in Africa.

So - though there are tugs at my heart and longing looks as I said goodbye - I know I am going where I am supposed to be for the month of July. So, with those emotions, I can still honestly and faithfully say that I cannot WAIT for my adventures in South Africa & Uganda across the next couple of weeks. In case you're unaware of exactly what I'm doing, I'll fill you in.

 This is my dear friend and college roommate Alana, who is currently serving in the Eastern Cape of South Africa with the Peace Corps. Alana has been gone since January 2011 and hasn't yet had visitors or been able to return home. So - I will be spending a week in SA with Alana venturing through her village, doing projects with the children she serves, and vacationing - including an elephant park (!!!!!!), an arts festival, & a really sweet beach :)

After South Africa, I head out to my beloved UGANDA! I haven't been back to Uganda in 2 years and my excitement is ridiculous. I love that country and their incredibly welcoming, loving people. I will be working with Gaba School for Special Needs, which is exactly what it sounds like :) I have never been to this school, but I am so excited for what I can learn and help with as I serve there!


After spending two weeks with those lovable kids, I am meeting up with my dear friends Tricia & Sara. We served together in Uganda a few years ago through Loving One By One Ministries, and Tricia & Sara both felt called to move to Uganda and start their own ministries. Sara and her husband have started Rafiki Africa Ministries, and have an orphanage that they run. My family sponsors a child in their home - her name is Mary & she has cerebral palsy. I can't wait to meet my sponsor sister :) Tricia has started Africa Arise, a ministry that serves the people of the Acholi Quarter - a slum that is home to thousands of Ugandan people displaced from a war that destroyed the northern part of the country, which at one time was their home. I have been to the Acholi Quarter the two previous times I have served in Uganda and really have a heart for the people living there. Their conditions are dire and I so believe in what Tricia is doing to help restore them and bring hope to their community.
 
The kids at the Rafiki Home!
  
    Tricia & the Africa Arise staff


Just looking at pictures is getting me so pumped for what they next few weeks will bring. But for now, I will focus on SLEEP on this flight (when I arrive @ Heathrow my body will feel like it's 2:00 am .... yay?), finding the right terminal, and ensuring that my carry-on (which is all I am bringing!) fits in the overhead bin. Ready .... GO!

Love you all & so beyond thankful for all of your support!

Walaba! (goodbye)

Hiatus

My apologies for taking so long to write an update. This is because my running has taken a... break? I suppose that's the word to use. Mainly because a lot is up in the air.

The other day while attempting to run 8 miles in 90 degree heat (it was unavoidable!) - I had a minor asthma attack. This is something I struggled with in junior high but haven't had problems with in quite a few years. Needless to say, it really scared me. After speaking with a doctor and doing two asthma tests, it was indeed confirmed that I did not outgrow asthma like a previous doctor had told me when I was 18. (Can you even outgrow asthma? Who knows.)

Now, normally this wouldn't stop me. BUT - I will be training in Africa - my longest runs, hottest temperatures, AND roughest terrain. In addition, I will be in some possibly unsafe situations while in Uganda in terms of running solo. My doctor advised me to be extremely aware of my body & cautious if I plan on running in Uganda, noting that these changes in my typical running routine may trigger an asthma attack. My last to adventures in Uganda were partly medical missions and I have seen their hospitals - without going into detail, I do NOT want to go there!! So - I am going to really play it by ear. Not training for possibly a month could be a very interesting curve in my plan. We will just have to wait & see.

On a brighter note, I did get a Garmin GPS Watch, which I love!! When running in Africa it will be really helpful. I hope it gets some good use there :)

I leave for Africa in six days! I can hardly believe it. I am condensing & simplifying like crazy so I can fit a month's worth of clothes & toiletries into a carry-on suitcase. Also, I have to pack for two climates since it will be winter in South Africa. But, it's happening. So if you see me wearing the same outfit in multiple pictures, need not assume it's the same day. Because I will be wearing the same clothing each day - but who cares! That's the beauty of Africa :)

On Saturday I had a fundraiser party at my new apartment for my trip. My community in Chicago is SO unbelievably generous. I am so blessed by what they were open to donating. I feel very confident in traveling now that I actually have money for needed supplies when I get there.

Next time you hear from me, I will most likely be overseas. I am so ready for this adventure!

Walaba (Goodbye),
Allie