Pre Departure Note

Well all the planning, the confusion, the needles, the money, the research, and the emotions I have put into my trip are about to come to a head.  I will be departing for staging in New York City on Friday morning, staging with all of the people in my training on Saturday, and flying to Senegal as a group on Saturday evening.  I have tried to stock up on all of the everyday luxuries that I will go without for the next two years and now my stomach aches from an excess of Krispy Kreme Donuts, Buddys BBQ, Hardee's Biscuits, ribs, pork chops, french fries, and lots of cheese .  Along with food I have also tried to spend as much time as I could with friends and family, but no there is never enough time to prepare one for greater than two years apart.  Although, I plan to develop many more relationships on this new journey and create a family of Senegalese and Peace Corps volunteers, I will miss all of my friends and family state side greatly.  Know that much of the strength and character I have was fostered from such great companionship.

Many of you have expressed fears about the various dangers I might encounter on my trip.  I appreciate your concern for me, but I have faith that the Peace Corps, the Lord, and occasionally my common sense will lead me through safely.  Currently, I am much more fearful of crocodiles than I am of the ebola virus. 

I know a little bit more information now than my last post as to my schedule.  All of my training, for the most part, will be done in Senegal.  I am unsure as to my post location right now.  There are different languages spoken in different regions in Senegal.  Within the first week of my training I will be designated a host family that will speak the language I will speak for the next two years and indicate the region I will be in.  During the next month I will go through a series of interviews as to my comfort with different aspects of life and understanding of the material in order to find a suitable location/town for me to reside in during my service.  As a result, I will not know a mailing address for my entire stay in Senegal for sometime.  I will have an address in Thies, Senegal that I will be able to post when I am certain the address is accurate for all of you to send me goodies, mainly Krispy Kreme donuts.  Once a Krispy Kreme is built in Senegal I will no longer need care packages. 

I am sure that there is much that I do not know right now and I will try to keep all of my blog fans in the loop as I can. 

Now I must thank everyone for your support.  I am excited to walk through the door I am about to enter and blessed that I am able to make the journey. 

Justin