Im White. W-H-I-T...............E

In case you were unable to notice, I am white. And that has never been more apparent than in Togo. In the Ghana airport, there were plenty whities; I just happened to be the only one get onthe plane to Togo. People here just stare and point blantantly, and, occasionally, an extremely cute child will yell "Yovo" which is what they (rudely) call me. I have no problem with this except the attention makes me fear a little for safety.

But I am in Atakpame now, and life is pretty decent. My family is wonderful; unfortunately, I can hardly communicate with them, xcept what little French I have learned. But my room is great by their standards- A bed that is regrettably about 5.5 feet long, a mosquito net, a chair, and a table. The bathroom is outside, where my assurance of "running water" tests the limits of truth. True, there is running water, but only in the form of one tap that functions as shower (with bucket) and the method of flushing the toilet (again, bucket). But I do not mind that. Food has been tough, as I am yet to recognize a single meat. But dinner last night was deliciously normal, so I am managing to down it while holding back my gag reflex. I would describe it to you but I have no idea what I am eating.

Unfortunately, I am going to tear through my reading list, there is so much down time, even at the hospital. So the last week will be boring with nothing to read. But that will be the last week, so I can deal/.

The hospital work is hit or miss, depending on the doctors there. I am working (perhaps too strong qa word) in pediatrics ward (also a strong word). I basically stand and watch as about 100 patients are treated in four rooms, all for malaria. It is heartbreaking to see these kids so close to death, too sick to even cry when the doctor messes up a spinal tap. My main contribution is making kids laugh when they see me (again- white). But one doctor is teaching me to give shots and IVs which is cool. So I am excited about that, but it is hard to learn when they speak French.

Thanks for your prayers, keep them coming. If you want specifics,^please pray for the kids, that I sleep (I have only really slept one night), and that I make some sort of impact. Thanks

TIA
Michael

PS- I dreampt about dunking the night I did sleep, so maybe this place will rub off on me?

Maybe it will work now?

Well I am officially in Africa, however still only in Ghana and not yet in Togo. I had the wonderful privilege of sitting next to a very nice man named Kwabena on the way over. Very nice, very large. very large. Let's just say he didn't realize the armrest is the supposed border between our two bodies. For twelve hours. Nerves have started to ease a little, I think just being on a computer helps. But the trip has been trying so far, as two flights have been delayed (out of two), the malaria pills are making me pretty queasy, and I just don't feel like eating although it has been since dinner last night in the Memphis airport when I last ate. Also, trying to catch a transit through Ghana is a disaster. They honestly have no idea what they are doing, and I am pretty sure I bribed someone at some point. I don't even know. All I know is that I didn't pay the transit VISA fee, followed some guy around, and still have my checked luggage because I can't check into my next flight for several hours. Also a little nerve-racking is the fact that even here people still barely know what Togo is. The flight is forty minutes to the capital, how is it that no one knows it? Is it Narnia or something? I think I might have to get to gate nine and three quarters to get there. I am just ready to make contact with the guy who is picking me up, because at that point at least I will know what is going on. No matter what is ahead, I just wish I knew. I may or may not have spent the last forty minutes in a bathroom stall, sitting and wasting time so I didn't have to face this airport. It's no Johannesburg, trust me. It is small, dingy, a little smelly, and a lot scary. But that's just me being nervous. As you can see, I am ready to get there and start doing what I came here for. I truly believe the traveling will be the worst part. Keep praying for me, I think you can tell I need it. Not nearly proud enough not to ask for that right now. Hopefully my next update will be from Akapame, Togo!

Fireworks Show

Because I have nothing to do right now, I wanted to put up the fireworks show from last night. This was at Victory Ranch, my beloved place of work. The thing that makes me saddest about going to Togo is missing the last weeks of summer camp, but oh well. At least my last night in USA was the Fourth of July party at the ranch. The video is only a short segment of the whole show, but the ending is truly phenomenal. I had to share it. Watch it, trust me.

Most Likely

So I, despite my resistance to do so, have started a blog for my trip. I feel like this will be the easiest way to update people, and that way emails back and forth won't be sometimes personal, sometime mass-disseminated. Yes, the title is cheesy. I lack that creative bone, and that one was just too easy (although I did resist my sister-in-law's "TO-GO! TO-GO! TO-GO!" suggestion).

Most Likely. That title comes from a text a got from my brother this morning as I told him I finally started to get a little nervous. I hadn't felt an ounce of nerves from the time I decided to go back around spring break until the moment I was awoken by my cell phone ringing (love you Didaddy). But I awoke nervous. I guess just because it is the day of, and I leave in several hours, but I have spent all morning with some serious butterflies. But back to the title. Here is what my text said, "It is going to be a life changing trip. Most likely in a good way." Yep. Most likely. It is probably going to be amazing, probably alter my life in some ways. But I am still nervous. So I decided to use The Google and find a passage that would inspire me in some awesome and real way before I left. Fail. I am terrible at using The Internets sometimes. But I then decided to read a little about Abram when he was called by the Lord, because that is kinda how I feel. All I know about where I am going is that I am getting picked up at the airport, put in a family's (who probably doesn't speak English) house, and working in a local hospital. That's it. I think that that uncertainty is why I have become so nervous. But looking at this passage, there really isn't that much there about Abram's nerves, deliberations, fears. He just goes. That is simultaneously extremely comforting and scary to me. I want something tangible to hold onto, but I need to just go and trust in God. Which leads me to my next passage, Psalm 118:6-8 (Betcha thought I was going to say Psalm 100, didn't ya? Well NO!): "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. It is better to take refuge in the Lord that to trust in man." Well, that passage is going to be getting me through the day today. My bag is packed, it's getting pretty close to game time. Hopefully I won't be living off the granola bars in my bag. As long as there isn't any Nshima like last time I was in Africa, I think I can handle the month. I will do my best to keep updating this, no promises. Thanks for all the prayers, keep bringing them.

And in honor of my brother (and to fill time until I leave), I am putting my reading list for the month, let's see how many I actually get through.

A Long Way Gone: Always wanted to read it, seemed appropriate for the trip

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime: I was fascinated by Look Me in the Eye, so I think I will like this.

Kite Runner: Heard it's good? Whatever. I guess we will see.

Counterfeit Gods: Halfway thought it. Awesome.

Three Cups of Tea: Also seemed appropriate. If I want to have any chance of coming back a peacecorps hippie, it's a must. I hear it is amazing though.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: No idea. Next.

The Reason for God: My reread of the trip. Too good not to read at least twice.

Not that You Asked: Wanted something with short essays/sections to keep me entertained. Looked good.

And that's it. Way too long of a first post; I really doubt anyone has made it this far. I kick puppies for fun. Did anyone read that?