Shots and meds

Lots of people hate traveling cause they don't want to get a ton of shots, which brings up the question...What kind of inoculations or vaccinations will you need to go to Namibia? When the doc hears you say you're going to Africa he's gonna want to stick you like pin cushion with every shot known to man. But truth is, that is entirely unnecessary. There are no required vaccinations for traveling to Namibia, but here's the rundown on the recommendations.

Hepatitis A & B - These are both recommended especially since we'll be working with children. They are usually a series of shots over a few months but I think it lasts for life or at least a long time. They're just smart to have going to any third world country.

Malaria - Fortunately this is an oral medication that you take either once a day while we're there or once a week depending on which one you get. On past teams I've been involved with most people have taken these pills. The only common side effect I've heard of is vivid dreams, which could be cool unless you're prone to nightmares! A few considerations though...for most of our trip we will be in the south which is not a high-risk area and in the desert, plus August will be winter in the southern hemisphere so I'd be surprised if you even see a mosquito. If you feel the need, just use bug spray and wear long sleeves at night and you should be fine. So these meds are up to you and may fall into the "better safe than sorry" category.

Diarrhea - Nobody really wants to talk about it, but we'll be practically family by the time we're through so as a team we can be open about this stuff. Reality is this is usually the biggest issue team members have while we're traveling. Between time zone changes and dietary differences there's a lot for your body to get used to. The best thing to do in this case is NOT to take anti-diarrhea meds and plug up your system, but simply drink lots of water and let it flush itself out of your system. 

HIV/AIDS - This will only be a concern to the uneducated family member. Unless you're planning to have sex or become a blood-brother/sister with somebody (both of which are restricted according to team policy), you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Last but not least, we are working on getting travel insurance to cover each of our team members while we're away, so it's not something you need to worry about. This is already included in the cost of the trip. Overall Namibia is a great place to visit where heath is concerned. Just be smart about things like staying hydrated with plenty of water, looking BOTH ways before you step into the street, and not doing anything foolish where you could get injured. As they say, prevention is the best medicine.

Awesome Creation

As I was out this morning I came across some ducks & a heron wading very close to the bridge I was walking on. This was one of the few areas by the pond not frozen by the abnormally cold weather in the southern US. While the mallards were somewhat wary of people walking by, one watched while the other ate. The heron was standing as still as a statue, ready to fly off at the slightest inkling of danger. It reminded me of our visit to the Etosha Game Preserve. When we came to a certain watering hole, there were springbok on one side and a herd of zebras about a quarter of the way around to the right. It was odd because the herd was not drinking on this hot day, but waiting for the lead zebra to drink to signal the "okay, it's safe" to the rest. The lead animal, only a few feet from the water, stood still for a few minutes, then hesitantly inched forward. It was as if God was whispering in his ear that there was danger nearby. Sure enough, another quarter way around the water a lioness was hiding behind a rock & a bit of scrub brush. Just when we thought he would reach down for a drink, he suddenly backed off, and the rest of the herd with him. I find it fasinating how God has put in just the right survival instincts to each creature He created. As I rounded the end of the pond this morning, there were several wild birds standing on the ice that rarely covers the pond. They called gently to one another, and I wondered if they were praying for the sun to break through the clouds & melt the ice. How awesome is He, revealed by His creation!

To Walk or Not to Walk

While I was out walking this morning, I was reminded of how integrated walking is into Nambian culture. As in many cultures outside the U.S., walking is the prevalent mode of transportation. While driving may be quicker, gas is expensive and cars need upkeep. Your feet are always available and rarely break down. Walking has the added benefit of chatting with folks along the way. You never know when you might encounter a neighbor or friend and have an opportunity to catch up on all their news. Your feet are also more adaptable and never unsettled by the occasional tree in the middle of the road. Cars, however, are preferred when you encounter the odd wart hog or herd of cattle finding their way across the desert. The downside for Americans; we've gotten too comfortable in our cars and forgotten the art of walking.