don't know when I'm going but it's no use missin' the boat

Here's the plan. Head to a country called Liberia where it's hot all the time and where amazing people speak a bewildering version of English and wear Obama jeans. Where I'll be stretched in ways that intimidate me now. Where I'll learn a ton and hope to be of actual help.

Sound good?

So I know the where, but the when (mid-September is still the best guess) and a good bit of the how have yet to be determined. Much of that rides on the final agreement for a contract between IRD and the USDA. They're working on ironing it all out, so hopefully it won't be too terribly long before logistics can start to be solidified.

I did talk to Richard today, the IRD guy who will be in Liberia in charge of the whole project. He seems like a good guy, from the 20 minutes I spent on the phone with him. That will be a big deal as I'm guessing I'll be working with him pretty closely. He heads to Liberia this weekend and will be there on Monday.

whispers of some quiet conversation

Hiya! I know I've been quiet lately, but - as you can probably imagine - I've been weighing and thinking and praying quite a bit. A couple of updates:

1) I need to tell my work about my decision by THIS FRIDAY, and
2) The project start date has been moved to Oct 1, which means (if I go) I'd probably be heading off in mid-September sometime.

Many thanks to those of you I've talked with about this decision. So appreciate the listening ears, encouragement and wise insight. Can't tell you how much, really!

And apologies if I seem to be making this too drawn out or dramatic; once decided, it will be whatever it is. It's just big in my life.

Prayers appreciated!