Gig Harbor Councilman Embarks on Mission Trip to South Africa

Editor's note: Gig Harbor City Councilman Paul Conan recently traveled to South Africa for a five-week mission trip with the African Leadership Partners. Patch will be catching up with Conan throughout his trip. He will be returning to Gig Harbor on Nov. 10. You can also follow his journey through his personal blog, Becoming a friend of The King.

Lions, tigers but no bears...

I arrived in Johannesburg Saturday (Oct. 15) morning after a 14.5 hour flight from JFK. Some friends that were recently transferred here with Worldvision picked me up at the airport and we did a little sightseeing.

On Sunday, I catch a shuttle bus for a 5 hour drive to Swaziland where I will be picked up and driven out to “the farm” as described in the New Life Homes section of African Leadership Partners.

I will be helping out doing miscellaneous projects around the property along with helping out in the school on the property. I am planning to help with a basic money management class taught by the missionary here. I will also be making efforts to reach out into the surrounding communities and take an assessment of the basic needs of the local people.

Swaziland is the hardest hit from the AIDS pandemic and it has left quite a few child-led households. I hope to spend some time learning how to help these kids raising kids.

Take care and I hope to talk to you soon!

Paul Conan