Jeremy,
Thank you so much for this personal post. I'm trying to raise support to go to Uganda next year as a teacher. I'm struggling with a lot of the same things that you reflect on. Seeing your perspective from the other side of the whole "missions" endeavor is helpful.

you're welcome, matt. if you do any sort of writing/updates while down there, i'd love to be on the list.

I plan on setting up a new blog and an e-mail list for the trip. We have a satellite isdn line for maybe 3 hours on a good day. I'm going to a really rural area. But right now, I'm just focusing on getting support raised to go out there, my "needs" are a lot more than I thought I'd need.

matt, if you'll send me your e-mail address to (eprentiss@aol.com), i'll forward you my support letter and church "speeches" from before my trip--maybe there will be something relevant in there for your trip.

looking forward to hearing about it.

I'm just surprised to find myself mentioned.

surely not, my friend. surely not. how's belfast? feelin' shottered, mebbe?

shottered and shofted my friend. Belfast is hailing but my taxes came back after two years, which makes things good. I'll be back in CA in august, maybe i'll try again to head north. I'm sure that the whiskey was less appreciated by my girlfriend than it would've been by you.