Good news!

I've arrived in Toronto after a two-day drive from PEI, through the States.

The good news is, my passport with the Congo visa has arrived! I'm so relieved to be reunited with my passport, and thankful to have the visa for the Congo all ready to go.

Now, for final packing -- textbooks, gift items for the students -- it all has to fit within the British Airway guidelines. I must fetch our Costco scales and get busy re-packing everything for the trip -- I leave tomorrow.

Where's my courier envelope?

I sent my passport, along with about 10 pages of application material, to the DR Congo Embassy in Ottawa. Mailed it Wednesday, January 18, 2006. It arrived Friday, Jan. 20, 2006. No sign of the return courier envelope, so I phoned today. It would be signed and sent today, Thursday Jan. 26th.

No record of it in the Canada Post website. Tracking no.: LT099851200CA.

Here's what I think happened. I sent them a Canada Post Xpresspost envelope. So, I guess no courier comes; you have to drop it in a mailbox (or off at a Post Office), and then and only then does it get "expressed".

I'm sending it on to Toronto. If it leaves tomorrow (Friday), it should be there Monday or Tuesday. My flight leaves Wednesday.

Cutting it close.

Watch closely, but don't panic, yet.

International Driver's License and Cipro

The countdown began today.

I went and got my International Driving Permit at the CAA.

Located my old Cipro tablets (anti-diahrhea).

I got the Visa? (And the meds)

Well, I applied for it. Sent my passport, 3 photos ($30), money-order ($115), letter of reference, banking information, travel itinerary, application form, notarized letter from my sponsor in the Congo, and return courier envelope ($10) to the Democratic Republic of Congo Embassy in Ottawa. Should have it all in a week.

Also, picked up my malaria medication at Shoppers'. I forget the name; it's the kind you take two-days before you arrive, and 7 days after you return (and once daily while you are there!). This cost about ($185).

I didn't intend to get into costs -- but there they are!

Speaking of money, if anybody reads this, and wants to make a small donation, I will take it for you and personally put it in the hands of a needy, deserving person, where it will have about 100X the impact it would have if you spent it on yourself!

Only do it if you want to feel good!

I'll even post on the blog what I did with your money!

And take a digital photo to commemorate the moment! (If only I knew how to put pictures on the blog!)

I got the fever!

I visited the Charlottetown Travel Clinic last week. My hep-B must be OK. I got a $100 yellow fever shot -- good for 10 years. Also, a malaria prescription that I need to get filled.

What's this blog all about?

Two years ago I was invited by the Rev. John Kerr to visit Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia, Africa, to teach Christian Apologetics. (Apologetics is the "defense of the gospel".)

I had to look up Zambia on the map, to find out where it is.

www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/za.html

I will be returning to Zambia on February 1st, 2006, for my third visit.

We also plan on visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Zambia.

This blog will chronicle the journey.