Our training group left our villages Friday, which meant saying good-bye to our host families. It was harder than I expected. I am incredibly blessed to have such a great family in my life.

Tomorrow I will have a workshop with my future supervisor and then on Tuesday I will ride across the country to view my site. This includes moving into my rondaval, meeting my community and being introduced to my new work site.

Unfortunately, I injured my back so moving will be even more of a challenge. However, while recovering at the t-house I met one of the volunteers in my district (Violeta) who immediately put me at ease about my new site. It sounds peaceful and beautiful.

It will take about 8-10 hours to get to my site if everything goes according to plan. Some of you are probably wondering why it will take so long to travel what seems like a relatively short distance, but if you happen to be looking at a topographical map or one showing the lack of paved roads in the region, I'm sure you'll understand.

Next Sunday I have my Sesotho language assessment test. Assuming I pass, I will then officially swear in next week. Then, I will move to my site permanently.

These next two weeks will be intense, but it's exciting to finally be going somewhere permanent.

As always, thank you all for your support...you're thoughts, prayers, e-mails... I am very aware that I could not be here if it weren't for all of you.

Site Announcements!

Today, while dining with the US Ambassador to Lesotho, our training group was surprised with site announcements! So, I now know the village I will be living in for the next two years and I have a general idea of the work I will be doing.

I will be in the eastern highlands of Lesotho in a small remote village helping local farmers with improved permaculture techniques as well as small business and HIV/AIDS education. I will also be assisting with non-formal education of local herd boys. (For security reasons I am enouraged not to post my exact site online, but if you're curious, send me an e-mail.) I only have limited information so far, but I'll tell you more after my site visit in a couple weeks.

I am very excited about this placement. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.