I’m leaving today for a two-day trip out in the countryside. Myself and 4 other friends will be taking a bus about 3 hours south of Xining where we will then hike 3 hours or so to a mountain village.

This village is one that can’t be accessed any other way so I’m pretty excited. We will be discussing with the "Hat" Village leaders whether or not their community has immediate needs that we could help them meet. We also will be telling ancient stories from Middle Eastern culture which some of them may be familiar with…

Meanwhile back at the "ranch" Christa and the girls will be having their first "sleepover" with our Norwegian neighbors girls. I’ll be missing out on a lot of Mary Poppins and a maniacal giggling.

Thanks for keeping us all in your "vertical communique" …if ya know whatta mean.