Orientation

So I finally made it to Nashville -- only 6 hours late.  Oy vey.  I was the last to arrive but many others had had difficulties with travels today.

I met the team for the first time today and am very pleased.  Some great skills and experience represented around the circle.  I am, however, the youngest and one of three men.  I believe, I am also the only person who has not traveled internationally before.  A good number have even been to Africa before this.

Yet, what I bring to the table is my knowledge, training, and experience with HIV/AIDS.  It's already become clear that I will be the HIV/AIDS expert for our journey. This afternoon, we ran out of time during orientation for all of the information that we were to cover.  So the orientation leader (who is not going on this caravan to Zimbabwe) asked me to cover HIV/AIDS more in depth when we arrive in Zimbabwe because she kept turning to me for more information anyway. 

I'm honored to be able to contribute to the trip in this way.  And just like I told you in the HIV/AIDS/STD Dept. at COH, I bring you with me through our collective experience and knowledge.  Thank you for the education you provide me as we work together and continually challenge each other to push to the next level.

Tomorrow, the real travel begins.  The shuttle arrives at 6am to take us the airport for the next leg of our journey.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts & prayers. 

And the anti-malarial meds begin.

An orientation... in more ways than one.