As Bushie's World Turns (The Update Thread)

[Joe Biden 2020]

I have the privilege and the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Kenya during Spring Break from March 16-23, 2012.  I have to raise around $2,000 by early January to go, but I already have a commitment of $750.  I am going with my cousin's church, along with two others from my church.  I am going to the church in the morning to get the information packet and may go ahead and lay down the deposit.  I will ask for the leave from work this Saturday when I go back for Week 24.

I ask those of you who pray for two things, (1) that God would allow me to raise the funds needed to go and (2) that God would protect my job.  My job shouldn't be in any jeopardy since all is required is taking 6 days leave (if I'm back to a M-F schedule).  I will have two weeks leave once I become permanent in January, so that shouldn't be an issue.

[Joe Biden 2020]

What sort of mission work is it?

I'm not exactly sure, I'm going to get the pamphlet and registration packet tomorrow morning.  I'll find out then.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Very nice. Regardless of the difference in denomination, it's a religious mission and it's Christian, so sounds good. Too bad I don't have any money to send you.

Prayer support works just as well.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Inb4 someone wonders if it's a scam

This is a legitimate opportunity. It is from a church that I know and have close ties to.  They do this every March and I was invited to go in 2012 by my cousin and the youth minister at our church.  This is not selling vacuums or cheap discount insurance or something like that.

[Joe Biden 2020]

That's cool. How's the rest of your life going?

It's going well, I'm finally on the road to losing weight.

[Joe Biden 2020]

How much of that $2,000 actually directly benefits to people of Kenya?

I don't know, I'll have to look at the pamphlet and information on it tomorrow.

The airfare, food, and lodging will take up quite a bit of that, I would imagine.

[Joe Biden 2020]

How much of that $2,000 actually directly benefits to people of Kenya?

I don't know, I'll have to look at the pamphlet and information on it tomorrow.

The airfare, food, and lodging will take up quite a bit of that, I would imagine.

That's what I would think. When I went to Ireland for a month without even having to pay for lodging I spent $2,000. Wouldn't it be a little more generous to take that airplane and hotel money and send it to people already in Kenya instead of using the money to visit for a week?

This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go overseas which is something I've always wanted to do and with the situation I'm currently in, this could possibly be my only chance.

Plus, from what I understand, we are going there for a week to give a physical hand to things they need, such as any kind of maintenance work whether electrical, plumbing, or anything else we can do to assist them in the short time we'll be there.  We are mainly going there to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but doing it in a way that also meets their daily needs as well.  In the Christian community, we have a saying that says people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.  We're not ramrodding the Gospel down anyone's throats, we are going to meet their daily physical needs as best we can and if we get a chance share with them the love and the message of Jesus Christ.

Kenya is majority Christian, but just like in America, there are many people who still need to hear the message of Christ that there is a God who loves them and who died for them and who wants to have a personal relationship with them.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Right, so as long as you're not parading around touting how much of an experience this is for them, I can respect that. You absolutely should take full advantage, this is a great opportunity for you.

Thanks, fezzy!

[Joe Biden 2020]

The first post has already foreshadowed the loss of another job.

No, all it requires is just 5 or 6 days leave which I will have by then.  I'm a little more mature when it comes to such things than I was just last year.  My mother is planning to retire around June 1, 2012 and this will in no way hinder that.

BTW, I was planning to take 3 or 4 days anyway that same week and go visit my niece in Jacksonville, Florida which is also her Spring Break.  I will still visit her, but it will be after she gets out of school for the summer.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Are you still applying to business school?

Do you have mechanical skills (plumbing, electrical) that are lacking in Kenya?

Do you owe your parents money?

This trip could be a great experience, but even if it is organized as a mission, it is your spending money you likely don't have on an experience for your own benefit. There's nothing inherently wrong with it, but if you believe that you are doing others a favor by taking the $2,000 and spending it on this trip, you are not being honest with yourself.

I am still applying for my MBA, that hasn't changed.

They don't need just mechanical skills, they said they will take whatever I can bring to the table.

I will put the deposit down probably the Wednesday after Thanksgiving (November 30)

The $750 is coming from the $250 deposit plus $500 from my grandmother.  She is behind me in this endeavor.  I have several ways I can raise the funds to go.  Plus, if God wants me to go, He will provide the means to raise the needed funds and will keep my job secure.

If i put the deposit down on November 30, I will apply for my passport probably the next week as it takes 4-6 weeks to process, which would put in mid January.

It's probably true that this is not the only time I would be able to go, but this is the year where I will have two people I know and trust going with me, my cousin and youth minister, so I'm not going with complete strangers.

Opie, I will never grow out of this "religious phase".  I have much more fun being a Christian than I could ever have otherwise.

Gustaf, no I'm not being called to up and move to Kenya.  I'm just being led to lend my hand in whatever way I can for the 3 or 4 days we'll be there.  The trip is a week long, but you can probably estimate 2 days to get there and 2 days to get back which only leaves 3, maybe 4, days to serve on the ground.

My grandmother was really quite skeptical about it even last night at church, but then she quickly warmed to the idea knowing that it would be a great experience for me, and she also has the faith that God will provide the means to raise the funds and keep my job at Dell secure.  I am going to tell my parents, however, I am not going to ask their permission as I am 5 months shy of my 30th birthday, I am going to ask for their support.

If I thought there was any way that my job at Dell would be in any way compromised, then I would not be going to Kenya.

Also, when I sign up, I will reserve the right to back out should I feel that going would cause too much strain on things here at home.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Is the deposit refundable?

What is the latest date at which you can put down a deposit?

The organizer of the mission trip is not in the office today, but I emailed him and he should get back to me this evening.

The deposit is refundable and they need the deposit as soon as possible so they can get the lowest rates on air fare and keep it from going over $2,000.  I do know that the estimated costs are between $1,500 and $2,000 plus passport and vaccination costs.  The sooner they can get the deposits and get a final head count on the travelers the better chance they have of getting closer to the $1,500.  That includes the deposit.  I have $750 guaranteed with the deposit, so I could already have half to nearly half of the money right there.  My parents will probably chip in some, so that get me a lot closer, plus my church will probably chip in for the three of us who are going.  I'll, of course, put in some myself, so that should give me the money I need plus a little spending money for souvenirs or, better yet, giving a little money to the children we meet so they can buy a little food.

[Joe Biden 2020]

My mother and dad are starting to warm to this idea, as well.  I'm going to sit down with them over dinner around 4:30 and discuss the matter. Once I add in all the incidental expenses associated with the trip, it might push it closer to $2,500 or slightly higher, but the air fare is right around $1,500-$1,750.  I'm going to find out in the next week or two what the extra incidentals are.

[Joe Biden 2020]

dinner around 4:30

omg oklahoma is adorable

This is where M. Night got The Village all wrong...too small in scope...he could have just done a movie on Oklahoma.

I'm afraid it'd be a very boring movie.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Seriously, BushOK, when do you go to bed?  And wake up?

On work nights generally in bed by 9:00 and up by 4:30.
On days off, generally in bed by 11:00 and up by 8:00.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Here's the latest as of 6:00 pm CST, Thursday, November 17, 2011 -

My parents and grandmother are all on board with this endeavor.  I just had dinner with my parents this evening and they were initially concerned that I had quit my job or quitting my job.  After I assured them that I am not quitting my job and my job will not be in any danger because of a week's vacation, they really opened up.  They know it's going to be an expensive project, but they know it will be worth it.  It may give me a different perspective on life and a better idea of what life is like in a third-world country.  They are also going to help me financially with whatever I need.  I will leave for Kenya about 6 weeks before my 30th birthday and this will give me a great chance to experience something I have never experienced before right before my birthday.  We both agreed that this is both my Christmas present and my birthday present.

I will get some more information on the trip tonight at 7:00 pm when I go to our mens meeting.

I also found out the possible flight path for the journey to and from Nairobi.  It looks like from Oklahoma City, we would be flying to Chicago O'Hare and then on to Istanbul, Turkey and then on to Nairobi, Kenya.  The flight from Chicago to Turkey would be 10 hours 45 minutes going and 12 hours 10 minutes coming back to Chicago.  The journey from Turkey to Kenya is 6 hours 35 minutes both directions, and of course the journey from Oklahoma City to Chicago is just over 2 hours both directions.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Like I said before, make sure you're up on all your shots.

I will be getting a TB shot, yellow fever shot, a typhoid shot, and a Tetanus shot.  I will also be purchasing Malaria tablets when I get to Nairobi.

I now have some more information, just some general notes and also a checklist of what to pack.

[Joe Biden 2020]

You know it's very hot in Kenya?

Yep

[Joe Biden 2020]

You know it's very hot in Kenya?

Yep

Ah, good. That's something. You also know that, for the most part, they don't actually have air conditioning?

I'm prepared for whatever weather conditions. From what I gather it will be like a June day in Oklahoma City with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, lows in the mid 60s to low 70s and 90%+ humidity.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Like I said before, make sure you're up on all your shots.

I will be getting a TB shot, yellow fever shot, a typhoid shot, and a Tetanus shot.  I will also be purchasing Malaria tablets when I get to Nairobi.

I now have some more information, just some general notes and also a checklist of what to pack.

You don't need to start taking the Malaria medicine beforehand?

Apparently not, they recommend purchasing it in Kenya rather than in the States as it is a lot cheaper in Kenya.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Like I said before, make sure you're up on all your shots.

I will be getting a TB shot, yellow fever shot, a typhoid shot, and a Tetanus shot.  I will also be purchasing Malaria tablets when I get to Nairobi.

I now have some more information, just some general notes and also a checklist of what to pack.

You don't need to start taking the Malaria medicine beforehand?

Apparently not, they recommend purchasing it in Kenya rather than in the States as it is a lot cheaper in Kenya.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html

That's a good article.  When I see my doctor to get the vaccinations, I'll ask him what he recommends.  But, I may buy it in Oklahoma before i go based on the CDC report.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I've got some notes from my cousin who invited me to go to Kenya.  She also gave me a personal packing list that she received at the first Kenya meeting.

Some of the notes include applying for the passport first thing.  So, after I put down my deposit, I will probably get that started.  My facebook said I hope to apply for the passport by December 7, but I may move that up to November 30 or December 1 to give them an extra week with the Christmas and New Years Holidays and vacations and time off with the workers, and the federal holidays in January and February (MLK and Prez Day).

I will also have to purchase a $50 Visa at the Nairobi Airport so I can get into the country.

I will also need crisp, fresh dollar bills (2006 or newer) as they have a better exchange rate.

I've already mentioned the vaccinations, (TB, yellow fever, typhoid, and tetanus) and the malaria tablets.

$200 spending money, so i can eat on the planes and/or airports

Total cost with the airfare, lodging, passport, spending money, vaccinations, etc, could run between $2,500 and $3,000.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I will also need crisp, fresh dollar bills (2006 or newer) as they have a better exchange rate.

I... don't think that's how money works?

Maybe not, but I'm going to trust Choctaw Road Baptist Church as they have been going to Kenya for several years now, so they are not new at this and they know what they're doing.  I'm going to go by their recommendations even if it seems a little weird as they know more than I do.  I will do my own studying on wikipedia and other websites on Kenya.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Here is the website of the organization that is sponsoring all this for your review and information.

www.maishainternational.org

I think I also found the application on that website, as well.  It has the same format and the same personal packing list and notes page that my cousin gave me last night.  I'm going to verify with her tonight at Bible Study to make sure it's the same as what she filled out.  If it is, I will fill it out and turn it in with my deposit this coming Wednesday, November 23.

[Joe Biden 2020]

An interesting side note - in Swahili, which is the official language of Kenya, The words of the 1994 Disney Classic The Lion King of "hakuna matata" means "no problems".  The movie says it means "no worries", so it's pretty much spot on.  So, not only are they real words, but the definition the movie gives is correct.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Depending on your bank (and I really have no clue if any banks normally exchange to Kenyan currency), but perhaps exchanging here would be best.

I've heard I can get better exchange rates in Kenya than I can in America.  I don't know if that's true or not, but it's worth investigating.