D-Day
Ok everyone, here is the post you have all been waiting for. (Well, truthfully, maybe you haven't been waiting for it, but I have, and I like projecting my internal issues on other people.)
In about 6 hours Jessica and I will be boarding our flight to Spain. By tomorrow morning we will be in the land of paella, sangria (mmmmm...) and acceptable lisps. We will be headed up to a small town North West of Madrid called Salamanca for a few days to visit some friends. After that is over, we will be headed South to the coast, across the Mediterranean at the Straits of Gibraltar and into Morocco.
"So, what is it you will be doing?"
Jessica and I have been getting this question a lot lately, and we deserve it. I don't think that we have done a very good job of telling everyone what it is exactly that we will be doing. Some day soon we would like to compile a compact but complete manifesto of our beliefs and activities, but for now this will have to do.
The basic idea is this: to go, live in and learn about communities around the world. Our goal for the "us" that we are defining right now is that we would like to end up doing community development work somewhere in the world. Right now we need to learn how that process works. We need to see community based health care, agriculture, water supplies, business development, micro-enterprise, and social services as they actually work. We need to learn how to address short comings and problems in the systems and then see how solutions are created. This next year is completely about engaging as much as we can while learning as much as we can about our future field of work.
More specifics will follow as we discover them.
- Jake and Jess
7 comments:
I was just sitting here thinking about how "D-day" was today (I think...) and found that I was right. :( bittersweet. I miss you already, but look forward to stalking your travels.
This weekend was one of the best I've had in months and seeing you two was one of the highlights :)
It's exciting and sad to know the DeBoni's are leaving the country. So I am focusing on looking forward to when I get to see you two in Africa! Feburary 8th or so is the hope, but more plotting to come.
I am praying for safe travels, joy, divine people contacts (for you to serve and those also to serve you two) and growth and strength together in this new adventure. I love you two dearly!
J & J!
Protection and blessings always. You will be missed. I can't wait to read your stories.
Hey Jake & also Jessica,
I guess it has been a while since we have made contact. I am saying this because we didn't realize you were married!!! So, late congratulations on our part: -) Actually, I am somewhat embarrassed writing that, but we have been without internet for a while, that will be my excuse for now.
Sounds like you two are going to have some great adventures coming up and also some good learning experiences. Can't wait to hear more.
When you have the time you should look into a place called ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization). They do agricultural research for third world countries. B and I both worked down there for several summers as part of mission trips we were on. Some of the problems they have worked on and are currently working on are pretty interesting. They have a website and are located in Florida.
We would love to have you come visit us in Australia. Our house here in Oz burnt down a month ago but we have a new place to live now. You can read all about it on our blog... http://www.brandomegalene.blogspot.com/
Stop by as you make your way around the world, we have beds free!
Meg (for the Fisher fam)
Ummmm...Paella.
Jake and Jessica--Peace!
Hope all your wildest dreams are coming true!
Honestly...hope this finds you well and amazed and maybe a little bit overwhelmed. Leandra and I will keep in touch, for sure.
Love,
Grant
Hi Jake!
This is Ana, the moroccan girl you met through Ben at Café Vienna. I hope that you are doing well and that you are enjoying my home country. I am presently living in marrakech, a beautiful city which you should visit if you have not already done so. I hope everything is working out for you as you had planned and here is my phone number in case you ever have any questions about our culture or simply need a translation for something: 010-08-88-72. Also if you're ever passing through marrakech, I'll be more than happy to show you guys around. Well, I wish you luck in all you do and hope to see you while you're in Morocco.
-Ana-
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