This morning about 5am, the call to prayer echo's across the city. I had forgotten the familar call that rings out in the morning sky. The country is mostly Eastern Christian Orthodox, which I think of an intense version of Christian and Islamic. I heard here once, there is no such thing as not being religious. It is ingrained in the culture from the calls to prayer with loud speakers across the city; to the Holy men you see in the streets with large crosses as tall as they are. Addis wakes early to the echoes of prayer but the haze of the clouds and the pollution hang low on the city. There are moments where the sun peaks through but the clouds push it out of the way and it hides until it's next opportunity ... read more

GOODS and more Goods… Toyota parts, pipes for plumbing, TV’s (flat screens and not) food, toys, blenders, clothes, rugs, towels, medicine, bed spreads, etc, etc…. Imagine living in a place where in order to get a lot of those things you have to leave your country and bring them back home. Africans that can afford to travel bring back HUGE boxes of everything. They fill their trolleys at the airport with huge bags and boxes duck taped together carry it back home either to give to their friends or sell. ( There would be a good living selling duck tape at the airport to Africans who need to shore up those boxes and bags... Next time I come I am bring loads of tape!!!!) As Westerners, we have no idea what it is like to want ... read more

Going to Ethiopia this time around feels so much heavier then before. Now I have to actually put my words into action. I have to follow through on the things I have been working towards, which is not an easy feat. I am excited to see old friends again and meet the new ones that I have been in constant contact with over the last year. I have been uplifted by the love and support of my family and friends who have taken on my mission as their own. But I still feel weight of the work that needs to be done to give a little help to those that need so much. My journey this time around is long. St. Louis to Chicago to Toronto to London to Dubai, then Addis Ababa. I am in ... read more

I am in the rain forest of Costa Rica. Humid is something I thought I knew about, but now I know the TRUE meaning!!! :) This is a tropical region and the humidity is like a wet blanket that covers you all the time. I am at a wonderful campus called Earth University, which is an inspired place, that teaches how to reuse the earth in order to supply our needs. I will write much more on the schools take on the earth´s environment later. I must let someone else access the internet now. I go into the rain forest tomorrow and will live with some indigenous tribes to learn about their way of life. I am sure I will have much to report on this journey. I have taken many pictures, so I hope to ... read more

Back in the states… I am back! What an interesting transition that has been. While I was off on my trip, many things happened. There was a death in the family. My father had a pretty serious stroke, which no one told me about. My middle child had a freak accident. We were certainly blessed it was not worse. All this to say, that leaving your reality, for a month, things still happen! I know that my friends and family protected me from a lot of these situations, knowing that it would have made it extremely difficult for me, being away. For that, I am forever grateful. I hated learning about all that they went through while I was gone. However, everyone did their best and supported me every step of the way. For that I ... read more