Not what I was expecting for a first blog post.

Well, there has been some changes in my life plans over the past several days. But let me first give you an introduction into this next chapter of my Ag Ed/global experiences life.

I am currently serving as a member of the AgriCorps for the 2014-2015 year. Me and my six teammates have been selected to serve in Liberia, Africa for the next year by teaching agriculture, managing a school garden, and facilitating a youth leadership club (4-H) to build life and livelihood skills of post-conflict Liberian youth. There exist many problems in Liberia that call for agricultural development attention, and specifically focusing on youth is seen as having great potential due to their current lack of interest in agriculture and farming. AgriCorps' mission is to use the U.S. 3 circle model of agricultural education as a model for development. This is the first full year of AgriCorps work in a developing country, but the program has been developing for several years. You can learn more about it here.

I have been anticipating this exciting new chapter in my life for some for some time now, especially since it encompasses my heart for the nations, my love for agricultural education, and the new edge the program has in the development field. I accepted the offer to serve as an AgriCorps member back in April and was looking forward to this first "job" since then. I am currently in Texas, where is have been for the past week with my new team, engaging in training about ag education, leadership, 4-H, and more. We have sincerely enjoyed our time together, even though we will be in separate villages in Liberia.

With all of that said, I will share that we will NOT be leaving the U.S. tomorrow, as was planned for months. The organization leadership has decided to delay departure to assess the current situation in West Africa and determine what the most appropriate and safe next steps will be. Why are we delaying departure? Well, I am not sure if the world outside our no-internet training site has been as informed as a few of my close family members, but there is currently a medical epidemic making its way through serval west African countries. Starting in Guinea, the Ebola virus has spread into Liberia via Sierra Leone. Several cases have developed in Bong county, where we will be located. While Ebola virus is very deadly (60-90% fatality rate), it is only transferred via bodily fluids from persons showing symptoms (which could appear from 2-22 days after exposure due to an incubation period). Therefore, almost all cases have been recorded in medical clinics and care providing locations. Obviously, medical workers have the most risk of transmission, whereas normal travelers and citizens have almost no likelihood of transmission. You can find more information about it here.

While I was previously not concerned about this virus when it was first suspected in Liberia earlier this year, I still do not believe we would be at risk were we to leave tomorrow. I also believe that the preperation for this experience and it's expected impacts are significantly high to simply call off the year. However, in attempt to be logical and wise in reaction to situations of the world, I do recognize that the trip would not be worth risking one of our lives if we knowingly go into a dangerous environment. There are other ways to serve in development, other opportunities to make a difference, and other countries that need invested in. Regardless, there still exist a lot of rapid and dramatic reactions to the situation that, frankly, have been sparked by the diagnosis of an American doctor in Liberia. While this man, who is still alive, is certainly a human that has a connection to U.S. Citizens, my heart still goes out to the over 700 individuals who have thus far died from the diseas in West Africa. They all have homes and families whose needs will further increase in this time of difficulty. My heart calls me to serve and love people in the suffering and unjust regions of the world, and since my decision to go to Liberia with AgriCorps, it seems that this passion is all the more necessary for action.

While I was upset about the decision to not continue with our exciting plans and be in Liberia by Friday, I am relieved that there will be more time for processing and appropriate decision making... And even though I would not have minded being in Liberia, knowing how to avoid the virus, I know that my heart would be heavy with the weight of concerns of my loved ones back home in the U.S.

So here I sit in a coffee shop in east Texas, waiting to see where The Lord will take us... Knowing that my desire to GO will not fade and that my heart was fully prepared to leave the county tomorrow, I believe that an awesomd experience will come from this year. Our leadership has promised that we would not be placed in harm's way and that we would experience a beneficial year of agricultural education development work. I firmly believe this, even if we may eventually go to another country to perform our duties.

For now, I am thankful for the blessings of my wonderful new "family" of fellow AgriCorps members... Whether singing 4-H songs, learning about the agricultural education model, sharing personal stories and reflections, or golf carting around the farm we are staying, it has been a wonderful week with a team who is dedicated to a positive attitude and a shared passion for the world and it's needs. We are AgriCorps.

My lovely new AgriCorps family!! From left to right: Melissa, me, Dustin, Leah, Courtney, John, and Cassella