Chi-town

Andrew and I got back from Chicago this morning.  I would say it was a successful weekend.  We got to eat delicious Chicago style pizza, see the famous giant bean in Millennium Park, tell more people about Love for the Sake of Love, and have a great meeting with Lynn Cole, the Executive Director of Rise International.
I loved being able to hear Lynn's story and learn about the incredible things God has done through that organization in the last 10 years.  We got some really good advice and were able to share some of our passions for Africa and approaching the issues of the developing world.  One thing she emphasized was getting the locals involved and teaching them how to do things for themselves rather than just giving them the things that they need.  Its through this strategy that real and lasting impacts are made.  This is something that we were already planning on doing, but it was nice to get the reminder and hear stories of how this strategy has actually paid off for Rise International.
Now that we're back, I can't wait to get back to work and move forward.  Our applications for our summer trips are due on November 1st, so we're waiting to get the last few applications in as well as continue to plan our charity dodgeball tournament that is now scheduled for January 21st.  We're also still in the final steps of sending in our 501(c)3, but we're still learning just how long and tedious this process is.   I'm not sure where we'll go on our next trip, but I'm looking forward to finding new opportunities to talk to more people with experience and knowledge they can share while also telling others about L4L.

Alison
Co-founder

Chicago for the weekend

After spending 9 hours in a car with Andrew driving to D.C. and back last week, I'm really excited about us flying to Chicago together this weekend.  Apparently the two of us being in a contained space for more than a few hours at a time can turn into some pretty ridiculous conversations, but they're always entertaining and surprisingly productive.

On Saturday we'll have the opportunity to meet with one of the founders of RISE International, a non-profit organization that is building schools in Angola.  I'm really excited to hear her story and it will be a chance to get some advice from someone who has already done what we're trying to do.

We'll be spending the rest of the weekend hanging out with friends at Wheaton College and will hopefully start to make some good contacts in the area.

Oh and in case you were wondering, it was a pretty good secret.  I think someone is just having trouble admitting it since it took them so long to figure out what it was. ;)

Alison

Co-Founder

DC in a Day

Yesterday I woke up brushed my teeth then went to the dentist where they drilled holes in them, made me wonder why i brushed them in the first place. Then i got in the car to head off to Washington DC with Alison to go pick up a Mandie, who is a potential media team leader for this years summer trips.

Before i could even feel my tongue we had made it out of chapel hill and were on the road. Before long i had already exhausted all of the radio stations and my appetite for fast food. I was also able to catch a glimps of alisons edgy side which was fun for me knowing that she could put her foot down on some things. In other words i stole her blackberry and might have scattered the parts all over the car in a minor attempt to find out a secret she was hiding, turns out it wasn't even a good secret.

Either way when the day was done we had gone to DC and back and spent 9 hours in the car together. it was a good day.

Av.
L4L Co-Founder

New Videos

We just added a couple of new videos to the website!!

http://loveforthesakeoflove.com/#/videos/

3 thousand feet

      Right now Im sitting at a pretty three thousand feet above sea level in the quaint town of Boone, North Carolina. Not surprisingly its already fairly cold here (40s the last couple of days) and fall seems to be rather shy this year, already leaving the stage for winter to come on and do its thing.
      The last month and a half have been filled with all kinds of adventures.  The hand (surgery on an infection) is healing nicely and I reaped in goodies and get-wells from people.  The first couple weeks following surgery were the most interesting when I had to keep my had elevated above my heart at all times.  On quite a few occasions I was called on in class with the teacher eventually realizing I had no question but am simply following medical orders.
      Time management has been one issue Ive been trying to deal with, along with glorifying God through school and the work that comes with it.  These are two things that I often struggle with.  Africa gave me great perspective on the blessings Ive been given, particularly in regards to education, and that blessing entails responsibility.
       That said, college is a lot of fun and I dont want to be a slave to school.  Slavery's not good.  Anyway, im pretty tired and Im talking about slavery for some reason, so im gunna call it a night and wake up in the morning ready to manage some time!

Ben Kern