Just to update you on my itinerary, I am heading first to Uganda with Hope 4 Kids International (H4KI), http://www.hope4kidsinternational.org/, and look forward to all the children I will be able to meet. I also will meet the young girl I sponsor. Her name is Fiona and she is about to turn 12 years old. Fiona lives in the Bugiri district of Uganda. Her parents both passed on from HIV/AIDS and now she lives with her aunt and five other kids. Her birthday is just a few days before I arrive. I will be sending photos when I finally meet her. I can not wait to share them with you.
From Uganda I will eventually find my way to Mansa, Zambia. Great story! During my fund raising efforts for H4KI, I found out a distant cousin of mine, Dr. Cary Rasof, was doing work in Zambia. He is a doctor and has been living in Zambia since 2007 to help create a communal farm village for orphaned AIDS children and their granny carers. You can read more about his efforts at this website: http://www.annejones.org/africa_zambia.html. I couldn't believe I had just decided to go to Uganda and now I have found a relative living and working in Zambia! If that is not a sign that I am on the right path, I don't know what is! I am so excited to meet Cary and see his progress and be in his presence. I am not yet sure, besides using my gift as a massage therapist, how I can be of service there, but I know the Universe will show me the way.
Although I do not have a concrete plan for anything past my volunteering in Uganda, I do know it will be an adventure. There is so much to see in Africa, so many possibilities. I am excited to see how my journey will unfold and I look forward to sharing it with you as it does.
Now, if I could only finish packing. I was supposed to be done last night.... but for those of you who know me, you know I will be snapping my backpack shut just seconds before I need to leave for the airport. I figure, if I don't have it in the bag, I won't even know it's missing. Right? Please keep me in your prayers! When I get the opportunity I will check in and send updates. In the meantime, if you need to reach me, please feel free to email me at peacelove213@gmail.com. I will return emails when I have the chance.
Again, my sincere "thank you" to all of my family and friends. I wouldn't be at this beautiful turning point in my life without your love and support. You really are the strength behind the difficult moments and the love inside my heart that I will pass on to everyone I meet.
Below are some recent photos sent to me from Dr. Cary in Mansa. Look at the smiles!
Until later...
Peace & Blessings
Heather
