We need your thumb drives!

I've been trolling eBay for a while now trying to pick up the various bits of computer hardware we want to take with us. Since the items we want to take are not really on the bleeding edge of technology I have been able to pick them up pretty cheaply. We still have a few bits to test out, but we now almost have everything we need thanks to some fairly good deals and even better donations from ACU and other organizations.

One of the things I just can't bring myself to pay for is USB flash drives. Heritage Christian College would like to provide one to each student using the computer lab, since there is so little disk space available to the students and there is currently no central file server. USB drives solve two problems at once: no need to install and maintain additional hardware, and students can easily move their work between machines and even to the local Internet cafe. While we or they could purchase these, it seems that many folks probably have one or two they aren't using. If you get a chance, please dig thru the back of your junk drawer and send us your unused USB drives so we can help out the Bible students in Accra.

And last we, need any Bible software you are willing to part with. If you bought a concordance program or commentary on CD, but haven't used it lately, let us take it to HCC; they will put it good use.

Thank you for continuing to help with us help these Ghanaian ministries.

Medication

To go over seas the Yellow Fever vaccination is required for most countries, Ghana is one of them. We all have to get the Yellow Fever vaccination and as proof of getting them we get a yellow card with the clinics signature and special stamp for yellow fever. Also for going over seas there are many suggested medicine to take. We are taking Malaria pills, protection from mosquitoes, Promethazine, Aspirin, Tylenol, cold medicine, etc. We have to take the Malaria pills at least a week before we go, the whole time we're there and three weeks after we get back. We're taking mosquito repellent with lots of deet and stuff you put on your clothes to keep the mosquitoes away to prevent Malaria. The Promethazine is an anti-nauseating drug. It's a medicine that you squirt onto your wrist and rub them together. The medicine then seeps into your blood which makes you not feel nauseated. This we will use only if we get motion sickness or have an upset stomach due to local food or water. We don't expect that we will need any of these but are taking them just in case.

The four of us were going to go to the medical center two Friday's ago but it didn't work out. Robert left town, so the three of us still in town, were going to go last Wednesday. We were planing to go at 9 am but then changed it to 9:30 am. Ray got to the clinic before us and called us. That morning daddy and I were running a little late so when Ray called we thought he was just seeing where we were. But he had called to say that for some reason they don't give vaccines on Wednesday. So we turned around and went home. Each time we were going to get the vaccination I tried to relax myself in preparation for the shot only to have to wait till some other day. By this time I was plenty ready to have the vaccination and get it over with. When we finally got it I was glad it was over with. People say that it hurts to get yellow fever vaccination. It did hurt but not as bad as I had expected. It hurt like a strong pinch. For a couple of hours my arm was sore but then it felt mostly fine.

Thursday the three of us went to the clinic and finally got our shot. In addition to the Yellow Fever, Ray had to get his second shot of hep A. While we were in the waiting room we were all a bit nervous and not sure what to talk about. Then Ray said jokingly, "$110 for two shots. I've been to some pretty expensive bars but I've never payed $110 for two shots." *bu-dum-ching* When they called us to get our shots Ray went first. He got a shot in each arm. Each time someone got a shot we all carefully did not look. I got my shot and daddy went last.

How you can help

We continue to need help in several areas to make this trip as valuable as possible.

First, we need your prayers as we continue to plan for our trip. As you might expect there are dozens of details to be worked out and the occasional unexpected obstacle to be overcome.

Second, we have developed a list of "computer stuff" VOH and HCC need. We would like to take as many of these things with us as possible since shipping to Ghana is very expensive and slow. If you can provide any of the items in the list below, please contact us so we can arrange to get your items to those who can use them.

• 256MB/512MB 168-pin PC100 memory
• 100MB Ethernet switch (24 port if possible)
• Ethernet cables
• internal IDE DVD/CD burner (2-3)
• internal IDE hard drives (many)
• USB flash/thumb drives (many)
• blank CD-ROM media (hundreds)
• scanner (as compact as possible)
• wireless networking equipment: bases, receivers, antennas, etc.
• power adaptors (simple configuration change)
• power adaptors (power converting)
• PC blower/vac for cleaning

If you don't have any of these items but want to help, many of these items are available from on-line retails with significant rebate offers.

Third, we continue to need funds for travel, vaccinations, visas, accommodations, and for equipment which is not donated.