Coincidence? I Think Not!

Let's see if I can manage another update in 3oo words...

• A great big thank you to Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics for their generous donation!
• Things are coming together nicely- I have most of the things I need ready to leave. I must say though, the incidental costs of this trip are adding up pretty quickly. I kind of feel like a master card commercial...
• "Visa, $141
• Anti malarial drugs, antibiotics, antihistamines and typhoid vaccine, $260
• Rain jacket, $38
• Helping others, priceless.
• Some things money can't buy, for everything else there's Annie's bank account."
• Besides the cost though- everything is going very well. I've got all of my clothes ready to go, got an awesome suitcase (which is really a big duffel bag on wheels that converts into a massive backpack) and I almost have everything squared away.

Awesome- under 200 words this time.

I've been incredibly blessed to be making some great connections in the past week. At Missio Dei this week a woman who was visiting offered to introduce me to a woman who grew up in Sierra Leone. Rebeka grew up in Sierra Leone and moved to Minneapolis with her husband (who was a peacecorps worker) many years ago. She now coordinates the events for the Sierra Leonean community in Minneapolis. Rebeka was incredibly helpful and hospitable, not to mention very nice. I'm excited to meet her and others from the Sierra Leonean community later this week. I was also put in contact with the pastor of River Hills UMC in Burnsville who has done a lot of work in Sierra Leone (and the congregation also has strong ties to the nation). It is great to be making all of these connections. I'm feeling a little less clueless, getting some great advice, and meeting amazing people.

Sierra Leone history part II will be up early this week- sorry to keep you in suspense. I guess you'll just have to check back soon!