Won't Be Long Now!

December is nearly here. Can February be far behind? It seems impossible that in just two short months I'll be heading back to South Africa and my libraries at God's Golden Acre. There have been several developments in planning for this trip. Yesterday I found out that my friend, and a friend of South Africa, Sandye Brucker is going with me this year. It will be such a blessing not to have to travel alone. Sandye became interested in South Africa last year when she offered to fund a "pump" project in the Swaymahne Valley. She wants to see her pump in action, of course, as well as all of the other things I have been telling her about. She will stay a week or two. Secondly, I have been receiving new and used children's books from a number of sources. Sunrise Rotary in Bloomington started the ball rolling, then came Glen School in Normal, and a booksale at Second Presbyterian, and then Hollistic Chiropractic in Peoria began collecting books after I appeared on the news. I have at least 500 books in my kitchen. Now I have to try to figure out how to ship them safely and economically. I had "sticker shock" last week when I sent 3 little Christmas books to Jason Smit's daughters in Cape Town. My postage bill was $26.50! And that was just regular mail. As you know, in the past I have discouraged people from giving me books and asked for a donation instead. But this year this just started coming. Well, we'll find a way. Finally, while fund raising efforts are coming along, I'm still about $5000 away from feeling comfortable starting the new projects of a Bookmobile in the Sanchonche Valley and a Community Library for Zimele Outreach. If you can help, please let me know. I'll keep you posted.