Travel

Tomorrow I leave for Africa. My dad, step-mom, and sister have been living in Sierra Leone for the last 3 or so years. They're actually moving back to the U.S. this summer, so my wife and I are going across the ocean to see what they've been doing. It should be interesting to say the least. Sierra Leone is arguably the poorest country in the world.

It's kind of hard to be excited about visiting a place where everyone is hungry. There's a certain amount of guilt that comes from visiting underdeveloped countries. You can't help but feel inconvenienced by the fact that you have to drink bottled water and the electricity doesn't always work. I'll get annoyed while I'm there by the lack of modern conveniences, but I'll also feel guilty. I'll realize that I should be grateful for what I have. I might even vow to stop complaining once I get back to the states.

Normally on a trip like this my guilt would be assuaged by the fact that I'd be doing mission work. You know, usually you're running a vacation Bible school for little kids or helping someone build or repair a church. This time I'm going mainly to observe. I don't think I'll be helping much at all besides putting a little money into their economy.

Anyway, I'm posting a few pictures from my trip to Nova Scotia and New York this summer. This summer's turning into a summer full of trips. In August I'll be going to Colorado. I'd rather be going to Chicago...but my in-laws are paying for the Colorado trip, so I shouldn't complain. Oh well.