Keepin My Chin Up - Sorta

Well folks, it has been a while since I updated and I am not promising that it will get any better. You know, every job has its ups and downs. Working for a humanitarian organization is no different. Here lately I have had some extra, needless stress that has gotten me a little down, but it now looks like things are on the up and up. Sorry if I am being a bit vague. It is easier to explain in person.

In other news, last week I got word that Air Serv wants to move me to Kangana for a short term, two month, MSF (Doctors without Borders) contract. Normally I am a flexible kinda guy but here lately I am uncharacteristically stubborn. I have no desire to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a program that has very little structure. As it stands right now it will be me, an ops guy and a mechanic. Although I haven't seen our living arrangements, I am pretty sure it is going to be a bit privative. Am I being difficult? I guess I did sign up to be a pilot in Africa. This kinda thing should be expected. But I have just gotten to the point where I like Lubumbashi a lot. I know the people, I have made some good friends, I know the town, and I like the living arrangements. It has become my home. I guess the best thing to do is to keep a positive attitude and look for the positives...but they are so hard to come by right now.

I guess I should explain why I am going there in the first place. Several months ago there was an Ebola outbreak that got a lot of media attention. Of course Ebola is a dangerous virus, but why does it get so much attention? There are so many problems in this country that affect so many more people but yet they don't get the attention that an Ebola outbreak does. So what happens? Money pours in from all over the place and everybody wants a piece of it. Thus we are placing an airplane up there for two months. Never mind that the virus is already contained and we are 4 months too late. Ugh! There I go getting all negative again. I guess safe, reliable transportation is hard to come by in that part of the Congo.

I have a feeling that I wont be very social for the next couple months. I have heard that the mission where we are staying has little in the way of electricity and internet. But isn't that why I came to the Congo in the first place? I wanted to experience the challenges. Hopefully next time you hear from me I will be digging the experience but for right now I reserve the right to dread it.