Belgium To Kenya To Uganda

11 February 2008 by

I wrote this earlier today on the plane – so while the news is a smidge old, I have GOT to go to bed since I need to be awake and functioning in about four hours.

Later, interpeeps!

Right now we’re in the air somewhere between Belgium and Uganda (I say this as if it happens every single day for me, as if this is somehow normal) and I seem to have been afflicted with a touch of the conjunctivitis. It was flared up yesterday morning when I left Alabama, and the prescription eye drops I have seem to make it better – but only until I go to sleep.

Because after I sleep, I inevitably wake up looking like someone who spends her spare time standing over hot stacks of toxic smoke.

Which is exactly the look I’ve been hoping for.

This particular flight is on Brussels Airlines, and may I just say? The people at Brussels Airlines could teach the Americans a thing or sixteen about air travel. The plane is immaculate, and the flight attendants are courteous and cheerful. Plus, they have really cool accents and make announcements in French and stuff.

And get this: we had barely taken off when the flight attendants handed us headphones. Then came a “refreshing towel” and something called Sky Bites: Fab Savoury Crackers.

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Believe you me, internets: if a cracker is in fact “fab,” then I will most certainly have me a pack or ten. Because how I am supposed to resist a “fab savoury cracker”?

Personally, I don’t know how I possibly could.

Filed Under: Africa, Compassion

We’re Here!

11 February 2008 by

It’s 2:20 in the morning here…but more in just a bit!

Filed Under: Africa

What Up, Brussels?

11 February 2008 by

Well, I’m off to find some coffee – despite the fact that I know I should be drinking tons of water – because I have had approximately 160 ounces of water in the last 24 hours and quite frankly I am afeared of a massive headache if I do not get some caffeine in my bloodstream as soon as humanly possible.

We had a great flight; Shannon and I were sitting by each other, and then – A COMPASSION MIRACLE – the seats in front of us became vacant and the flight attendant gave us permission to move and LO, we each had TWO WHOLE SEATS TO OURSELVES.

Give the Lord a handclap of praise.

Long story short, I slept for six hours. Went to sleep as soon as we got on the plane, woke up for supper, went straight back to sleep, and then slept until breakfast.

I feel oddly refreshed.

And now, some pictures:

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I have to admit that it was a little freaky for this Mississippi girl to look out the window of our plane and see, you know, BELGIUM out the window.

But the sunset was oh-so-gorgeous.

And I am crazy about the people on this trip.

And I am just tickled to death to be here.

Filed Under: Africa

Hey Oprah!

10 February 2008 by

Okay, not really.

Because I certainly don’t think that the lovely Ms. Winfrey is, you know, reading my blog.

But I am in Chicago.

And look! Ice! ON THE WATER!

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So far, I have two words to describe Chicago:

COOOOO. OOOOLD.

Anyway, I had a lovely flight. Read a magazine. Listened to music. Watched part of “Waiting For Guffman” and tried not to laugh too loudly lest I disturb the other passengers.

As we started the descent (it that the right word? is it even a word at all? yes. I believe it is.) into Chicago, I was listening to FryDaddy sing “Alive Forever Amen” on my iPod.

And you know, it was a mighty fine reminder of why I was even on that plane to begin with. And so I had me some church right there in seat 6A.

Finally, if you are very hungry when you reach an airport and think you would like some lunch, I cannot recommend any sort of stuffed burrito option. Because odds are, despite all efforts to the contrary, you’re going to end up with at least half of said burrito on the front of your shirt.

Which is why I’m about to go to the restroom and see if I can make myself presentable before I have to, you know, MEET PEOPLE.

As you were.

Filed Under: Africa

Leaving

10 February 2008 by

So this was the scene at our house this morning around 7 o’clock:

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That’s the little man. Playing SORRY with his grandmother.

And he won, by the way.

We had a very cheerful goodbye; he made a big show of acting like he was going to block the door, and then he threw his arms around my neck and said, “BYE, MAMA! LOVE YOU!”

And then he made some loud WHOOSH-ing noises and ran back to the kitchen.

There were no tears at all. That’s what you call the power of prayer, oh internets.

So I’m about to board the plane for Chicago. And apparently – or so I hear – I’m heading all the way to Africa.

Go figure.

Filed Under: Africa, Compassion

Perspective

9 February 2008 by

You can find it right here.

I know I did.

Filed Under: Africa
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