I am a public relations consultant and as such I am always the one pitching the story.  I am much more comfortable to stand in the background or sit on the sidelines promoting the good work and adventures of others.  It is strange to think that this time I am part of the story itself.

I am facing this trip with a myriad of conflicting emotions. I am daunted by the possibility of witnessing something so beyond my normal life. It seems strange to believe that I will really be in one of the places you watch on the news night after night. I have never been what you would call daring.

I feel humbled at the thought of listening to and learning from women who have experienced things so unthinkable and inhumane and have survived.  I have been reading volumes about the history and the situation in the Congo.  Even before I go, I have begun to look at my life differently.  So many things seem frivolous and insignificant. I can imagine how these things will seem once I have actually been there.

And I go with feelings of trepidation. I am bracing myself for stories and images that are more ugly and hateful than I can imagine. And I have to admit I am a little scared. This is not a 100% safe trip and I have a son who just turned 18. It’s hard to leave him behind.

And yet if Janice’s trip to Chad is an indication, I feel certain that I will come back invigorated by the commitment of the NGO workers and the humanity and life still in the Congolese women.