United Arab Emirates

An arid 40 degrees is one thing; an intensely humid 40 degrees is quite another thing. Whereas the intense, dry heat at the beginning of my week in Dubai was somewhat of a novelty (after all, it’s expected when in the middle of the desert), the same 40 degrees was an altogether different experience when 100%+ humidity was involved, as I experienced at the end of the week. The brief, intermittent walks between the air-conditioned hotel room, vehicle, shopping mall and restaurant were about all that one could handle, unless walking around with luggage containing a change of clothes for each subsequent item in the agenda.

Dubai really is the booming, Arabic paradise city that it’s cracked up to be, albeit somewhat difficult to navigate outside of the various visitor-friendly air-conditioned capsules. Perhaps just as I’ve acclimated to the “more moderate” temperatures here in Bujumbura, one’s body could also theoretically become accustomed to the heat in the Middle East. But it’s difficult to imagine.

In any case, Cassien and I found ourselves in Dubai last week in order to purchase vehicles and computers for Help Channel Burundi, and we were successful. I am very enthusiastically awaiting their arrival to see the ways in which Help Channel’s capacity will be extended to do the important work they are doing. It will be quite a step; up until now, the rural offices that oversee all projects have been operating without computers at all. And because of the decrepit state of their current fleet, it is not infrequent that they have been required to rent vehicles at a significant cost in order to visit rural projects found far off the beaten track.

Additionally, I returned to somewhat of a Christmas in October yesterday, as several wonderful friends had sent out gifts and cards with a recent visitor. Coffee and chocolate and music chosen by those with impeccable taste will enrich my daily experience for months to come- thanks to my parents, Aunt Betty and Uncle Larry, Tammy, Laura and David and Karla. You are sorely missed.

Mr. David Bretherick has played a particularly large role, as he was responsible for the project of printing the promotional materials I designed for Help Channel a while back. They’ve finally arrived after lots of work on his part and generosity on the part of Westside Church, and they will undoubtedly have another big impact on the capacity of the organization. If you are interested in receiving a brochure, please request one by leaving a comment or sending an email (include your address if you suspect I don’t already have it) and I’d be happy to mail one out.