Welcome to Windhoek!

After about 20 hours of traveling, we arrived safely in Windhoek (pronounced "vin-took"), Namibia late last night. The flights were long but presented a great opportunity to bond with the 11 other volunteers starting WorldTeach in Namibia this year. Most of us received our bags - untampered. It's been a busy past 24 hours, but I couldn't be happier to be back in Africa!

We will spend the next three weeks as a group doing orientation in Windhoek and Tsumeb before we head to our permanent sites. Tomorrow night (New Years Eve already?!) we will have a traditional Braai (Namibian barbecue). We're currently staying at a guest house in town and are lucky to have very comfortable beds, hot showers, and I've only seen one spider that was the size of my hand so far (the flat ones are fine, so I've heard).

I am blessed beyond measure to be surrounded by so many kind, ambitious, and passionate colleagues and welcoming field directors and can't wait to get to know Namibia and all the people better. Thank you for your prayers and support as I begin to adjust to life across the world!

Lastly, a few good things to know:

- right now, Namibia is 8 hours ahead of central time in the US. So, I'm posting at 6:30ish pm and you're reading it at 10:30ish am. 

- I will post my mailing address in a few weeks when I arrive at my school. Mail generally takes 2-4 weeks to get here. I've been told that the cheapest package option is to get an International Priority Mail box at the post office, pay the flat rate, and stuff it as full as you can.

- it you are interested in receiving my Namibian cell phone number or Skype name, email me and I'll send it to you.

- you can come visit anytime!!

Rejoicing in change!

Almost Home

for all you doubters out there, i did fit my whole life into just two bags. great success.

this song and this video exemplify today.

eta wednesday @ 8:50pm nam time. i'll do my best to update y'all as soon as i get there. in the meantime, the best ways to stay in touch with me are through blog comments and email. see you all in namibia!

Goodbye, Nashville!

On Saturday morning, I said goodbye to the happiest place on earth: Nashville, TN. The last time I left this city, it literally brought me to my knees and left me inconsolable for a good 48 hours. This time has been different. Perhaps it's because there is concrete hope in the future ahead of me, perhaps it's because I've realized that relationships last even when you're not in the same place, or maybe it's because it has never been more crystal clear that Namibia is where I'm supposed to be come December 28.

After an epic car ride back to Chicago that lasted ten hours and included a ferry, the best roadside bbq, and a full re-enactment of the Nashville Garth Brooks concerts, I arrived to the sweetest of send-offs in Glenview on Sunday night. It was a funny experience to have people from so many areas of my life under one roof - high school friends, college friends, neighbors, church family, real family, and more.

I am so very grateful for each and every one of you. I continued to be humbled on a daily basis by your support, encouragement, and prayers. Look forward to your first Namibian update on the 29th!

I'll leave you with some photos from these precious last few weeks in TN: