Volume 3
July 23, 2004

Hello, everyone. We've got some additions to the list this time around. Allyson sent out an email to a few friends while she was in Khartoum and still had access to her regular e-mail account, and I've gotten a lot of response to that, so I've added all of you to the list. If any of you know anyone else who wants the updates, just let me know.

Well, as of this morning, Ally will have no more access to her regular email account, because this morning she landed safely in Nyala, the capital of Southern Darfur. She called me this morning from a satellite phone in the camp there (which is kind of weird, because there's a half-second or so of delay, much like what you see when a TV news anchor interviews a reporter on the other side of the world, via satellite). She said, "I'm DEFINITELY in Africa now." Mud huts, thatched roofs, toilets that are nothing but holes in the floor, etc.

I expect now that our communication will be less frequent. We've talked at least once every day since she left, but that is likely to be impossible from here on out. I'm expecting an email from her later today with all the details about how I can communicate with her, and I'll pass those along when I get them. But it is for sure that if you want to send her an e-mail, we're going to need to consolidate those into a single email once a day, or less frequently. So if you want to drop her a line, feel free to go ahead and send it to me, and I'll cut and paste all your messages into a single message for her, and I'll send it once I actually know where to send it to.

As she begins her actual work in the refugee camps, I'll ask again for your prayers and good thoughts for her.

There was a great story on NPR yesterday morning about the situation in Darfur, an interview with someone who has spent much time in the region and who offers some great historical perspective. This link will take you to the page on their web site where you can listen to the full story.

I'm heading up to North Carolina this weekend to hang out with my pa-in-law. I'll be back Sunday night. I'll probably hear from her while I'm up there. And thanks, by the way, to everyone who's called or written to say they're thinking about me, too. I appreciate that. I had grown quite unaccustomed to the alone-in-the-house way of life, but overall, I'm doing just fine. And I'm damned proud of Ally -- a feeling that makes it easier to deal with things here in Atlanta, where the toilets are porcelain.

Thanks to all,
Chuck

 

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Links to Aid Organizations
Doctors Without Borders   UNICEF   International Red Cross

Informational Links
 CIA Sudan Factbook   United Nations   Passion of the Present  New York Times (Africa section)
NPR "Fresh Air" program on Darfur   The Guardian's Darfur Diary

Last updated Wednesday, January 12, 2005