One part about cultural sensitivity that concerns me.

During our last teleconference, the group leader urged us to think about a couple of issues. No tank tops for the ladies, one earring per ear for the ladies and none for the men. No problems.

The one area that no one brought up is visible tattoos. I've been told that casual dress is the norm: Shorts and T-shirts. Normal T-shirts will keep Vader and my other arm tattoo hidden...mostly. As for my calf tattoos, I really don't want to wear long pants in Africa at the end of July for two weeks.

Maybe I can pitch it as an ice breaker explaining the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee state flag. I may treat this as one of those "beg for forgiveness rather than asking for permission" moments.

Somewhere my father has to be smiling that my tattoos are causing me some heartache.

Cross-Cultural Servanthood

I started reading this book recommended by our trip leaders. Cross-Cultural Servanthood

I hope that I am able to avoid having an air of superiority. It will be inevitable in the sense that I am going to teach math and will (hopefully) project a firm knowledge of subjects they are struggling with. I just hope that I can connect with the kids without coming off like a snotty American.

I have a lot of reviewing to do

And I am not just talking about Algebra II...though that is part of it.

I now have pictures and names of the 70 children and young adults that I will be spending two weeks with. Remembering names is not one of my strong suits, but I am going to do my best to learn them all. Heck, there are people in my church that I have known for three years now where I am like, "Hey...YOU!!!"

As to the math, I have to dust off some books and review. I am also going to brush off some deeper dust on my statics book and find some applications in Engineering for what we are learning.

I know there are some things in Electrical Engineering that would apply, but talk about the blind leading the blind... Those electrons are magic, I tell you.

I got the tires kicked today

I went and got a physical and some blood work done. The doctor did not hesitate to sign off on my going to Africa. One more minor hurdle cleared, even though it was one I never really worried about.

I also got my tetanus and MMR boosters in addition to my blood draw. My left arm is doing its best pin cushion impression.

Eeesh, I had forgotten how much tetanus shots hurt.