Archive for the 'On My Mind' Category

South Africa ~ Day (What Day is it?)

Published on November 20, 2011 in On My Mind. 2 Comments

OK…so all my best intentions of blogging everyday have not been realized. It has been busy, fun, exciting and loading with activities. Add to the no computer (blogging from my iPhone) and spotty Internet connections and you have a formula for limited blogging from Dale. I’ll try to do better once we begin our teaching Tuesday.

Let me try to recap a few highlights this far. We’ve visited a number of markets and ate very well. We’ve been staying at a beautiful B&B with the most exquisite hosts and eating very well. We’ve walked, shopped, drove and had a ride in a game viewing Land Rover. Today, we visited the Cradle of Mankind park, “The Cradle” Resturant and went on a short safari. We ate very well.

On another note…the wine here is fantastic.

Tomorrow we head out to Sparrow Schools for a day of meetings and preparations. Tuesday morning we begin our training with the students. I can hardly wait to meet each of them.

It’s an early start and it’s after midnight here so it’s time for me to sign off. Many thanks to all of you who have given to make this training possible. A special thanks to my dearest wife and fantastic daughters for all their support, love and encouragement. I couldn’t be here without it. Thank you!

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South Africa ~ Day 1

Published on November 17, 2011 in On My Mind. 5 Comments

Almost all packed and raring to go. It’s been a hectic week getting ready, but it’ll all be worth it. Thankfully I’ve got today to put the finishing touches on my preparations.

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I’m calling this Day 1 and  haven’t even left yet.  I hope you can deal with that! ;~)  Speaking of hopes, my plan is to keep you posted on the events of each day as best I can.  I may be a little busy and will have intermittent access to wo-wo-wo, A.K.A. www or World Wide Web, or THE internet.  Don’t worry I only use the real one not the cheap knockoffs out there.  ;~)  So, please don’t take this as a garrentee of daily posts while I’m abroad.  See it more as a desire I hope to realize.  I’ll do my best to keep you posted.

Just as an aside you may find it interesting that my camera bag was all packed and ready to go by the door last night and my luggage is still awaiting those final few items.  I can neither confirm or deny whether packing order reflects priorities, you decide.

Dale’s Quote of the Day

“Don’t let fear of what might happen keep you from living your dreams.”

So, on with the show this is it!

P.S.  Get the backstory and find out how you can be a part of this grand adventure here.

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More About Africa ~ Sparrow Schools

Published on November 15, 2011 in News & Updates and On My Mind. Closed

It’s only a few days until I’m wheels up and off to South Africa for two weeks. I suppose I’m feeling all the regular emotions, excitement, concern, anticipation and unpreparedness. Some of those aren’t really emotions but I certainly do feel them.

I thought I’d share a little about Sparrow Schools as we’ll be working with them on this trip. Their video below does a good job of providing an overview of some of the challenges facing South African youth and what Sparrow is doing to address them. I’m really looking forward to meeting the students and staff.

If you missed it here’s a link to another post with more details about my volunteer trip to Africa and how you can help me get there to make a difference. Enjoy the video.

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Tell Me & My Children Your Story

Published on November 11, 2011 in On My Mind. Closed

I can’t recall because I wasn’t there. I don’t remember because it didn’t happen to me. Please tell me and my children your story…lest we forget.

Each year at this time I’m reminded again of how distanced I am from both the historical and present day sacrifice that has been made for me. I often consider how little I know of war, of battles fought, of the joys of victory and the pain of defeat. My life really is not my own, rather is is owed to those who have laid down theres that I might live and enjoy mine. This is true and yet I feel at best I only give intellectual assent to this cold reality. My fear is that as each year passes and each generation comes and goes the memory fades. I worry that my children have no concept of the ultimate invoice of war. Worse, I worry that I don’t comprehend the price. So, I humbly give thanks today to all those who have gone before and even now serve to protect, to guard and pay for the freedom and the life I now enjoy. Thank you!

May I dare to request even more. Lest we forget, please tell us your story. Lest we forget, please share the trials & triumphs of your battles and the lessons so hard earned. Lest we forget, enlighten us to the horrors and heros of your journey and the evils in mens hearts that led to war. Help us understand and help us remember. Please tell us your story that we too can pass it on and in so doing, guard the future by your guidance. Lest we forget.

I’d like to help tell your story. If you are a veteran or know a veteran (particularly of WWII) who would like to tell their story through word and photography I am beginning a new project today. I’d like to record lessons from your stories and photograph you so that generations to come will become beneficiaries of your wisdom. Please contact me and we’ll arrange a time to meet. Thank you!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Published on October 10, 2010 in On My Mind. Closed

A very, very happy thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, filled with memory making moments, great food and time with family and friends.

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