6 days to departure!

We are 6 days to departure! It is hard to believe that the trip is finally upon us. Today is Zach's last day of school before we leave (Denver Public Schools has 3 days off for fall break this week). Zach will be doing "school at home" during those days, primarily working on science fair and math.

We are experiencing a moment of hopeful calm right now, and still crossing our fingers for good health. Alyssa has been sick with the flu since Friday and is much better today. So far, none of the rest of us have gotten it, and we are hopeful (knock on wood as you read this) that we have escaped it. We would have loved to get Zach the swine flu vaccine prior to departure but it is just not available for kids who are not high risk.

Zach took his first dose of mefloquin (anti-malarial) today. We ground it up and put it in applesauce, which Zach described as "just foul." Maybe pudding will be a better option for while we are in Senegal! Luckily he only has 7 doses to take total. One down, 6 to go!

We are packed and for the most part and ready to go. The one lingering thing is that we need to get gifts for Mamadou's family. Mamadou has 2 wives and 8 kids. I asked him the names and ages of all the kids and he couldn't give me the ages at all - just rough estimates. That is a good cultural difference...our kids are so focused on their birthdays, and Mamadou doesn't even know how old his kids are!! Zach suggested that I should have asked him how many rainy seasons they have had...that is a good idea.

We have a huge bag of school supplies and toothbrushes. The important thing is that it weighs in under 50 pounds, which I think it does. The generosity of friends and family has been amazing. Zach's school community and our church have also come through with donations. It will be very fun to hand out all those pencils and pens!

We'll keep you posted. We will be updating our blog as much as possible - sometimes with Todd's help. Because I am not taking my own computer, I will be using others as much as possible. Also, I will be able to email Todd via my phone, and then he can post my messages on the blog.

Thank you for all your support. Keep sending healthy thoughts our way!!!