For those of you who has been following our blog have read in the previous posts before that Jon was going overseas for a business trip! You also read in that post that I was quite emotional and had mixed feelings. One, I was sad I couldn’t explore the Africa with him (soon realized how selfish I was being). I thought that we would do everything together, literally. Two, I was scared he would have all the fun without Owen and I (again, selfish). Three, a little bit worried he wouldn’t make it back to us safely. But I have overcome those feelings and have come to conclusion that I need to suck it up and know it could be worse. So I am telling you all who is reading, that I am fine now
I am so happy and very thankful he will get to travel to so many places working with Vision Fund (a subsidiary company through World Vision). Vision Fund is a great organization that works with Micro loans around the world. You can click on the link to find out more information, if you are interested.
In place of my feelings toward this new position, I have informed my husband that he must try new foods for me as if I were with him and explore the cities if he can while he is working!and to take PICTURES, including pictures of himself in some of them so we can tell our kids later about these adventures that Daddy gets to go on. Jon not only got to see the people from the villages but also went on a Safari! Enjoy what Jon has to say about the photos! – Moch
“I recently was hired by a company called VisionFund International, which is the micro-finance division of World Vision International. They hired me as their Brand Specialist to re-brand their different Micro Finance Institutes (MFI’s) across the world. One of the many aspects of my new job is traveling to these different MFI’s and working in their local country to get marketing materials created for them. Tanzania was the first of 30+ countries that I will be visiting over the next couple of years and it was an amazing start to my exciting job.
After 23 hours of flying I arrived in Tanzania not really knowing what to expect. It was definitely different then the United States; especially from the Pacific Northwest considering it was 45 degrees warmer than at home. There isn’t a McDonald’s or Starbucks. There aren’t air conditioned shopping malls. There are very few traffic lights, if any, and the local driving techniques are aggressive to say the least. But in the end I realized that Tanzania is exactly like the rest of the world; people trying to survive and live life the best they know how. Names, looks, and cultures may differ, but in the end we are so similar. That’s what’s so great about traveling. You get to meet people who are so different than you and yet so much the same. It’s fascinating.
I was also fortunate enough to go on a Safari while I was there. It was absolutely amazing. Out of all the animals I saw, probably one of my favorites were the Elephants. They are so massive, so powerful, and yet possess such a playful and kind spirit when you watch them. They are truly incredible. I don’t think I would want to go up and pet one, but I really enjoyed watching them.
I took hundreds of photos but I wanted to show just a few of my favorites. I will never forget the beauty of the animals, the people and the African landscape. These photos don’t do it justice.”
Enjoy,
Jon
Irene - What an exciting opportunity for you! Im so excited to are all you both get to see over the next couple of years! Something tell me you will never be the same after all these adventures. Pretty exciting times ahead.