1-30-2008 The days leading up to our Departure

It is Wednesday of the week we are to leave and I feel as though the trip began long ago. Two weeks ago I started getting everything together, a bit late for a three month journey, nevertheless things are beginning to come together. We are traveling into a far away land, a land of jungles, mosquitoes carrying any number of illnesses, wild animals, new and exotic peoples, amazing colorful foods and adventure beyond comprehension. In these final days before departure, feelings and dreams about our upcoming journey are abundant.

For Carder, the preparation took place in Dallas researching the area to be traveled and gathering supplies for the journey. Through travel books and the internet I found a wealth of information on the land we would soon be traveling. It became apparent that I would be needing vaccinations for the trip, seven of them to be exact and so I set out to get these. The first six were found at the County Health Department and the seventh and final, yellow fever vaccine, had to be obtained from a travel health consultant. She had a wealth of information concerning the region of our travels and filled me in on all the viral, bacteria and parasitic enemies we would be encountering, and how to avoid them.

The three of us Garrett, Carder, and Jason, or G-C-J, decided we would need a video camera and a laptop computer for the trip, to document the adventure and hopefully story telling of all our new friends. So, I set out lookin for a deal, and found it on the internet, where many a deal is to be had. These two weeks were filled with more shopping than I have had in the past few years, needless to say a very painful experience. A bit of advice would be that a trip of this length needs months of preparation, and a well thought out list of essentials.

Meanwhile, Jason and Garrett were on the same shopping spree in New Mexico, loading up on documentation supplies and travel gear galore. During all of this they also put great effort into upgrading some essential elements of our trusty vehicle, a 1991 Toyota 4-Runner VR-5. They added a front bumper/grill guard, and a rear bumper to the vehicle, both fabricated out of 2" square steel tubing. A new roof rack was fabricated as well, made of 3/4" square tubing. Among other improvements: new tires and shocks, new plugs and wires, changed all fluids, new air filter, and added a speedometer cable. The vehicle is lookin good, lookin strong and ready to roar through the countryside.

Some final preparation needing mention is that of a spiritual nature. I, Carder, personally have seeked God's direction for this trip and am looking forward to some of the desires i feel he has placed in front of us. We leave seeking adventure, which God gives us in order that we may live a rich and fulfilled life, and seeking to learn about the peoples of the Latin world. We fill God's direction in getting to know the cultures down there, and getting to know their needs and desires in life. We also feel led to serve in areas of need whenever crossing the path of service. On the other side of the coin, our desire to truly know the Lord, to know His will for our lives, and to know the direction He would have us go, leads us south. Prayer, meditation, and biblical study shall all be a part of our seekings and your prayers for us in hearing His voice shall be appreciated.

ON Thursday evening I, Carder arrived in New Mexico and am currently staying in the Goodloe's house, where Garrett finishes up his packing and some last minute details on the vehicle, Jason readies his things and I enjoy the warmth and kindness of the Goodloe family. The land is a vast area in the mountains of Lincoln County where Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid once roamed and Native American Indians once settled. The rolling hills and scattered trees are a perfect landscape for the memories of a time when life was simpler, and people lived in harmony with nature respecting its power and beauty. A time when families stuck close together and there was seemingly enough land for all to enjoy. It is a promising beginning for a journey to a similar place, where life runs at a different pace reminiscent of the native peoples of this beautiful land.