The long journey

I'm writing from gate B37 of Washington Dulles Airport in DC.  My journey by leaving the house at 6AM (-ish) to drive to O'Hare for my 8:50AM CDT flight this morning (thanks for getting me to the airport, Levon!)  I arrived here before noon EDT and took the shuttle to my current gate.  Got some lunch.  And now I wait... until my next flight at 5:40pm.

When I booked this flight, I wasn't thrilled about the long layover here but the next flight out of O'Hare wouldn't get me here until an hour before my connecting flight.  Knowing the awful on-time rate at O'Hare, I couldn't chance it. 

But as the day got closer, I began to look forward to this layover.  It's funny, I know.  But I know Jill understands.  When she last flew, she said her favorite part of flying is waiting in the airport with a cup of coffee and the newspaper.

At the time I thought, "Ok..."  But now I get it.  There's nothing I HAVE to do here.  The terminal is surprisingly quiet and I have all this free time with no responsibilities.  No one needs anything from me.  So I can just sit, relax, and read whatever I want to. 

It's a sad commentary of our busy, scheduled lives isn't?  There must be a way to have this time at home, right?  Hmm...


For those who have been asking about itinerary:

Our flight out of DC is at 5:40pm this evening with an hour layover in Dakar, Senegal where we don't have to exit the plane.  We then travel on to Johannesburg, South Africa and arrive at 5:20pm local time (which is 7 hours a head of Chicago time.) The next flight is approximately two hours later so we'll arrive in Harare, Zimbabwe at about 9:40pm on Wednesday.  We'll stay over night at the Holiday Inn before beginning our drive to Mutare on Thursday morning.

So there's the schedule for the next couple of days.  Now back to waiting with anticipation (and my book!)

And away we go...

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Donations for Project Tariro

Thank you to everyone who made this suitcase full of supplies for Project Tariro possible!

The staff of the HIV Testing & Prevention Program at Center on Halsted

Jorge Gonzalez

Jill Dispenza

Gino Poliziani

Melvin Laureano

Luca Sandoval

What you can see are the 10 pairs of shoes beneath all these medical supplies. 

Thank you, all!

Thank you!

We're now just a little over 24 hours before I begin my journey to Zimbabwe.  Wow.  My first trip just two years ago was the trip of a lifetime.  I can't believe that I'm now preparing to go back. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity again.

I'm amazed to share that I have raised the full amount to make this return trip.  I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made this trip possible by sponsoring me in this endeavor:

Nancy & Mark Hallenbeck
Orpha Laurie
Jerry Miller
Donna Techau
Sherrie Lowly
Gregory Potts
Jen Landis-Santos
Karen Teigiser
Rick Box
Margaret Ann Crain
Rudi Gross (Jeremy, Jenelle & TJ Gross)
Michael Valdez
Randy Wensil
Ellen Feliciano
Tyler, Eleanor, Greta & Wes Christiansen
David Braden
Janet Ferrone
Holly Gomez
Naomi Guzman
Britta Larson
John & Carol Gross
Ethel Doyle
Ceil Zabielski
Rosa & Gordon Good
First UMC of Arlington Heights
Levon Guzman
Mark & Deb Gross
Anita Wood & the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry of the UMC

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am sincerely in awe of your generosity for without your support I would not be able to make this journey to be in ministry with the staff & clients of Project Tariro. 

You've also allowed me to make a financial contribution to the work of Project Tariro.  And for anyone else who would be able to support the mission & ministry of Project Tariro, you may give through this link and all further donations will be given in your name to the project.

with gratitude & hope,
Gregory

Can you help?

Friends,

I'm currently raising funds to travel to Zimbabwe next month to be in mission & ministry with Project Tariro, a holistic program to support those living with HIV/AIDS.  As you might guess, it's not cheap to travel to Southern Africa.  If you are able, I'd greatly appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide.  You follow this link to donate online.

Gratefully,
Gregory

Here we go again!!!

Friends,

I am excited to share that I will be returning to Zimbabwe to be in mission and ministry with Project Tariro!  We leave on Oct 11 and will return on Oct 23.  Watch this space for more details and ways in which you can help.

Gregory

Worldview - Global Activism: Project Tariro Provides Care and Support for People Affected by HIV/AIDS

Worldview - Global Activism: Project Tariro Provides Care and Support for People Affected by HIV/AIDS

(Click above to listen to the story from Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ, 91.5FM)