And so it begins. Today I leave what I know and journey to what I do not, with joy and anxiety, confidence and ignorance. We'll see where I am taken.
And so also begins a series of update messages about my travels. I will be sending out emails when I find a spare moment and a computer with internet. This will be done instead of a blog, because apparently FirstClass take less time to load on African computers. Who knew? (actually, Ali did, but she won't stop blogging even if she never gets another hit from Latin America).
And, guess what? You are on the list! I hope you don't mind. You made it on the list if
1) you told me to put your name on it
2) you demonstrated/feigned interest
3) I want you to know
or
4) you are a blood relative and thus i am obligated to prove that i am, in fact, alive
though more than one may apply to you.
If you feel this is 'not your thing'- do not fear! I'll delete you in a heartbeat (and more than likely cry later). But you have to let me know, lest I continue to fill your trash can, unawares.
Being on my personal email update list, you will therefore be privy to information otherwise unknown (you are welcome to share it. henceforth, my Africa-mass-emails are public domain!).
Some of the contents of these emails will certainly be ridiculous, humorous, insightful, intelligent, and witty.
However I will also write of my own thoughts. And, while less impressive, such are the subject of this, 'beginning of the journey' email.
My thoughts will naturally revolve around what I am thinking about. Therefore, much will concern what i am studying, seeing, and discussing with my classmates.
These will include Psychology of Children in Poverty, History, Sociology of Epidemics, and Religions of Africa, amongst other things.
Additionally there are several other 'preoccupations' that, I think, in fairness, I must warn you about.
First and foremost, there is my preoccupation with God. As I find myself called by Him to worship Him, my ultimate end on this trip and in life is to draw near to Him while singing His praises, because His way is light, truth, and freedom, and His glory is my joy. If you find yourself with different ambitions entirely, then I hope these emails will allow you to better understand me, for this preoccupation, while not always attained, is my self-chosen (or perhaps more accurately 'God-given') purpose.
Second, and sadly often preceeding the first, is my preoccupation with myself. Thus you may hear my pains and groans, my complaints, my misperceptions, and my brokeness. If you're the praying type, that would prove a great fuel for your devotion. If you are not, they may at least provide evidence that, left to my own (de)vices, I am no woefully inadequate.
Third, I like animals very much, and so you may hear more than you'd like of lions, fleas, and all in between.
I will be taking many pictures. Unfortunately, I will not be able to send them back to you. You will have to imagine the scenery, relying only on my descriptions. For help with your imagination, I recommend the Internet. There are many pictures there.
And so, as i leave, I am thinking of these things. And i am thinking of you (collectively, some individually), ergo this email. I hope it finds you well, and i hope it sparks your interest in hearing of my journeys. It is going to be one heck of a ride.
I have attached a picture of myself, to aid you in your remembrance. I look forward to our reunion, come Easter weekend, and I hope i will have many more stories to tell than I have space to share on these few emails. In the meantime, and in all seriousness, I covet your prayers, particularly towards the increase of my joy and of my humility, and towards a closer walk with my God. This is my primary desire, but i will not snub prayers for safety.
And I will be praying for you as well, as my readers and as my friends, that the same would be given you. In one way or another, we're all journeying. Mine simply involves a plane today and lions tomorrow, while yours is much less certain. There are great adventures and great community to be had at home, and I want to hear of them both.
Philippians 1:3-11
starting at verse 9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and deth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best, and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.
(biblegateway the rest of it)
And so it is, and so I say goodbye, fare thee well, and mother, do not cry too much.
yours
-drew
and so it begins...
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