Africa update... $$

Well, we just received more information on how much money we raised, and how much the trip is projected to cost. Fortunately, a good portion of the cost has been offset from the fund raising. Unfortunately, it will still be a bit expensive. The ball/silent auction fund raiser came up with about $10,500 profit. So, in that respect, we did quite well. But with the total cost per person of over $3000 to fly there, plus building materials, that puts most people paying about $1200 out of pocket. Because I jumped in on the project late, I'll be required to pay more like $1800 out of pocket. Ouch.

There's still time for me to do some personal fund raising, and my Mom has been hard on that trail at my old Church. They're having a free will donation this Sunday afternoon in order to raise more funds for me to get to Africa. I don't really expect a huge sum from that kind of activity, but every little bit helps. All this really means is that I'm really starting to hope that I don't get laid off from work for going on this trip... but I'd still laugh if it happened. Hey, you have to laugh or else you'd cry right?

I've never done much... or any fund raising before, so this is a completely new idea to me, but I guess because the funds are going through Zion Lutheran, anyone who donates can get a tax ID# and then they can write off that amount from their finances. Makes me think I should donate about $1500 to myself... ;-)

In other trip news, we received the first pictures of where we'll be staying. It's called the Bull's Eye Hotel. Look at the date stamp in the corner of the picture... that's right: '2007 4 13'... what are the chances of that? Of the other three hundred and sixty-four (and a quarter) days it could have been, it just so happened to be taken on my birthday of this year... Boy-oh-boy was I supposed to go on this trip or what?

Oh, it should be mentioned that I found the green stubbly prickly stuff in the foreground surprising... I know, I know.... not all desert... still, you know how it is.