Let me be clear.

I just realized something, and it was bothering me, so I wanted to clear it up, even if I am the only one who picked up on this. I have written about me trip to Africa. I tried to paint a small picture of what we did, but I realized that most of my posts dealt with the animals, housing, food and fun that we had. Make no mistake, I was there to serve the kids of Molatane, the people of the area and the church whose land we built on. I was there to serve God, pure and simple. I just don't want anyone, especially those of you who so generously donated to this trip, to think that you gave so I could have an awesome vacation in Africa. You did, and I did, but that is not the reason I went. I can tell you as a matter of fact, that the rest of my team felt the same way. I specifically remember having the discussion with Chad after our first day, with a not so impressive build result, that we would skip all extra activities, (shopping, animal drives, walks) and work, to be sure we finished the houses. I have to say that the trip was so much more than I had ever dreamed. Chad and I discussed the animals we "might" see on a regular basis, but we both knew the real reason to go. I don't want to speak for Chad, but I'm positive I know his heart when it comes to this subject. Once I spent a few days with the rest of the team, I know with 100% certainty, they would have passed on everything else as well. I hope none of you had the wrong impression, I'm guessing you didn't, but like I said, needed to get it off my chest. If I try to do this again, I'll have to ask for help. Marcy and I are in no financial position to pay for an entire trip on our own. I'm not sure if I wrote about this or not, but I had a friend talk to me about mission trips that leave the area and how they are paid for. His thought was, why don't you keep the money local and serve people here? I agree that we need to take care of our "own," but the big picture is, there is hurt all over the world and why are we, as Americans, more important than 16 kids in Africa? If I can find enough people who believe in what I am doing, and want to send me, shouldn't I go? I'm guessing my friend doesn't listen to God either, or at least not on the big things He is trying to tell him. I respect my friend and his opinion, but I dis-agree. So now I have to decide if I want to hit everyone one up for money again, or do I just wait for a different opportunity. Plus, I have El Paso in Feb. and I have asked Marcy to try and go with me. I'd love for her to spend time with my Mission Rio Grande family (the mission was renamed to reflect our service to the area, not just Juarez or El Paso)and to see what God is doing through our church to help His children. Rio Grande is my true love, the trip I will always do, but Africa pulled on my heart a lot. I hope my pictures have done a little justice to what we saw, but to be there was mind blowing. Our first morning walk, Chad and I got up early, not wanting to waste a moment we were in Africa. We both commented, "We're in FREAKING AFRICA!" Our first breakfast was on a patio, in 40 degree weather, in FREAKING AFRICA! Day one, I went for a walk and saw a FREAKING GIRAFFE! Are you shitting me, the best I see in Iowa is a freaking deer and that is usually just because it ran out in front of me and I almost killed it and my family. It's like a FREAKING KUDU running out in front of you, but in FREAKING AFRICA! This wasn't a game park in Orlando, Florida, owned by Disney. No, this is FREAKING AFRICA, created by God. OK, sorry for all the freaking, but that was the excitement in my head. Still is.