Dear blog,

As I am getting ready to leave with my team – it has been a busy and stressful time. Ramona shared with me that she has been asked several times by friends “How can YOU let him go to Africa? He has six young children and responsibilities!” Ramona’s answer was great, “It is not a question of giving permission but rather, giving support to your spouse to pursue a passion. Just as Barry supports me in the things that I want to do.” Now isn’t that a great lady. The truth is that we had to talk about how this three week trip would impact the family, work and our responsibilities. Once we determined that all of it could be managed, the decision was jointly made. It is not easy, of course, leaving family behind, but it isn’t a three year assignment, it is only a brief three weeks. Finally, my boss has been supportive as well. Too much so....Gord was keenly interested in when I was leaving but less interested in when I was getting back....there might be a message there. He also asked me to pack up everything in my office into boxes. “Why do I have to do that Gord?” He said, “We are going to “move” you into a different office in a new part of the building.” It all sounds very suspicious – send your employee to Africa and have him pack up his work things? Depending on where I end up, I might be continuing my blog indefinitely. So tomorrow we leave. Ten hours to Frankfurt, six hours to Nigeria, two hours to Ghana and then after a rest – driving from two to ten hours to our host credit unions. The adventure continues. P.S. it is my birthday today.

....Barry