The story that sparks this blog began with thirteen college students, a vision and one very long plane ride. We were determined to change the world, or at least be changed in the process. I can't speak for the entire team, but I know that I will never be the same.

The goal was to physically, brick by brick, construct part of an orphanage for children in the African country we visited. While we were there, we also had a chance to spend a couple days traveling around the capital city and sharing the message of the gospel at school assemblies.

When we first arrived we were dubbed the first team to have ever lost all their luggage. We're not talking a bag or two, all we had was what we carried. Although we arrived on Friday or luggage took its time and we weren't reunited unitl Sunday afternoon. Crazy as it was, this was my first glimpse of how incredible the team of people that I was traveling with was. While they had been together for months, preparing both financially and spiritually, gathering supplies for their luggage and for the people they could help along the way, they developed a deeper level of faith that had the chance to shine in the face of their first set-back.

At the orphanage, building went great, we finished the brickwork for 2 apartments that would be used to house educators for. I guess you could say that this wasn't your typical orphanage, instead of simply providing shelter for these orphans, this organization took things to the next level providing them with shelter, nutrition, an education, a community to belong to, spiritual guidance and a family. Children left the orphanage, not as normal orphans do, but as capable and productive citizens with dreams and goals of their own.

While planning our trip, a day was set aside for a white-water-rafting trip up the Nile River. The adrenalin that surged as we flew through some of the most intense rapids was literally breathtaking. The view was astonishing and the history that came alive as we swam the waters that in Bible times had turned to blood was incredible. But the physical adventure that came alive and that has transformed much of who I am wasn't noticed until the end of our rafting extravaganza.

We had the option to not experience the last rapid of the day. It would be the most intense, and we were guaranteed to not remain in the raft through it. It sounded like a great culmination to the day, so before the barbecue awaiting us, some of us were thrown one last time by the mighty waters that surged the Nile. Although I was probably the closest to shore, the safety kiak came to my rescue first. He asked repeatedly if I was okay. I guess I looked sick to him, and in his defense I had started shaking, and had taken on a pale color.

Ashley and I made it to the top of the hill (after much effort) and immediately panicked. We couldn't see anyone or anything we knew. Lost and left alone in the middle of Africa with no way home...yup; we panicked. Of course things worked out, but in the process Ashley went down. As I sat to simply reassure her that I was there, my body did something it had never done before. It slowly but surely began to freeze. It began in my legs, I think, and worked its way out. My hand hit my leg; I could see it but I couldn't feel it. Then I tried to move a bit and landed completely on Nancy, instead of just my hand on her knee. From there things are a bit of a blur. There was a bus ride, loss of consciousness and a lot of bumps...and of course a few great stories, because what doesn't kill you makes for a great story later.

Ashley and I were rushed to a clinic where we were treated for heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration. Within a couple hours we were released and taken back to our temporary home. I was back in the states within days, but still unable to walk more than 3 steps without collapsing. To this day nobody is quite sure why, but my legs just couldn't hold me.

In the year that followed I saw 17 doctors, and I baffled them all. I've been diagnosed with many things, made some fun memories, had some embarassing moments and have lived through it all to tell some pretty funny stories.