South America Bound

At 5:00 a.m. even Reagan National Airport is still asleep.

I get up before 4:00 every morning, but somehow today felt earlier.  Maybe it's because I couldn't sleep.  You've probably had those nights were you just can't turn the movie in your mind off.  I kept thinking about what the kids would be like that I'm going to meet in Colombia tomorrow.  I kept thinking about getting to the airport on-time.   And I kept wondering what is that one thing that I forgot to pack. :)

This isn't my first international trip.  In fact, I've really lost track of how many times I've been overseas.  I know that I'm about to leave the familiar and will come face to face with poverty.  I know that I'll also come face to face with the joy of people who have no material possessions, and yet have more happiness than we do.  While I know these things, that doesn't stop my anticipation for meeting new people and playing with the children at the Compassion projects we'll be visiting.

A long time ago I used to be a reporter.  This week I'm going to put that hat on again.  Reporters are supposed to be unbiased, but that won't be the case for me.  You see I know I'm going to fall in love with these children I've never met.  I won't be able to help from sharing how important these children are, and how someone just like you could change their lives.  So while I haven't slept, I'm not tired.  In fact, I feel a little like a kids on Christmas morning.  I can't wait to see what happens next.

--Jerry