2 weeks and counting (pre trip post 2)

Well a little over 2 weeks to go. 15 days to be exact. Ill put a count down on here soon. Anyways, I have been making a list organizing each of my suite cases (i'm not usually this organized). Between all the gifts, my clothes, shoes, and other personal stuff, I am pushing 2 suite cases lol. Thankfully Delta allows 2 for international flights. I got my passport a week or so ago. So everything is falling into place. A few of you have been donation to help me out, and I appreciate it so much. Thanks to you all. If you want to donate towards helping me get there (I have to pay $500 back to my parents for the ticket) that would be very helpful. I know times are rough, and I don't expect much from anyone. Even $1 helps. If I get over $500, then the surplus will go to charities and organizations that help out the kids in South Africa. Now, I asked my sister to explain to me more what I would be doing there, and this is what she said:

"Simon, we will visit Freedom Park and the Lighthouse as described on the Sponsor Letter I sent you (maybe you can show this to people at church if they are interested). Freedom Park has caregivers from the community who live in squalor conditions and who work to provide medical and childcare services to other community members. Many of them are volunteers, working full-time with HIV/AIDS patients, orphans and other vulnerable children and persons. The paid caregivers earn around R450/month ($45 USD), which is hardly enough to live on (considering our weekly grocery bill is R600 plus and we are very conservative in what we buy). So, when we go to Freedom Park, I think we will be giving needed items, Christmas gifts, etc. to these caregivers as well as praying for them. Not sure what we will do at Lighthouse Children's Shelter yet, I still need to ask my friend."

In regards to the sponsor sheet, here it is. You can download it if you like. I am pumped, not only because I get to see my sister, but I get to go help out in the community, and not only in my neighborhood, but someone else's. I encourage anyone who has the slightest thoughts of going to go, and I haven't even been yet. It may be a little expensive, but the feeling of what you are doing to help others is gonna be worth it in the end. I love what I do at Community Christian Church, leading the childrens ministry large group team for the Madras campus is fun. I get to watch kids ever Sunday listen to what God has to say, and grow closer to him. I get to push the button that puts the image or video up to help them see what God says. I get to watch my team turn up the volume and let them hear what God says. And now, I get to go and help people know who God is, and that he still cares about them. This is gonna be an experience of a life time. Not many kids my age get to travel outside the USA, and even less get to go do missionary work outside the USA. I hope you all keep to this blog and just keep looking to see what it looks like over there. They don't get the big Christmas's we get, they don't get to wake up with a big tree with lots of presents under it. Often we take for granted what we have...I know I do. Quick reference, my pastor (Ed Martin) had a great sermon that sums this up today. Some of you who are reading this know him (or work for him) and some of you don't. Its worth your time :D. Here it is(its the "I want it all - Contentment with My Stuff 11-16-08" one. It hasn't been posted yet, but it should be by Monday,11/11/08). I have gotten on to a ramble here, but keep this in mind this Christmas. You can buy that nice flat screen you have been wanting for ever, its on sale, and you can afford it, but remember the kids in other countries, or even in ours, who are wishing they just had food to eat, and the knowledge to know that they will be able to wake up tomorrow morning. I best be off to bed. I have more prepping to do in the morning. Bookmark or subscribe this, I will be updating it before, during, and after my trip. Email me if you have any questions or comments, or leave a comment on here. sohadi@charter.net