Summer 2000
I visit Burkina Faso, West Africa with a Tearfund Transform Team. I love it and the experience awakens in me an interest in community development work and the many people groups in that region.
Meanwhile
I settle into enjoying life in Edinburgh and occasionally wonder about going overseas for more than a few weeks. But what could I do?
Early 2003
I consider going to Bobo, Burkina to teach in a secondary school but feel it's the wrong time, wrong place for me.
Easter 2004
I visit East Africa with a group from church, am re-inspired and start looking into the many different possibilities.
Summer 2004
At Clan Gathering, a Christian conference in St. Andrews, I come across the Wycliffe stall where a very enthusiastic lady pushes some leaflets into my hands.
Subsequently
I start reading up about the work of Wycliffe and SIL and am particularly interested by the literacy aspect. To help enable people to learn to read and write their mother tongue, they are looking for people with an awareness of teaching language and making educational resources and who can organise other people effectively. Now who do I know like that? Mmm... The more I find out, the more it seems to 'fit'. Maybe in a few years time...
October 2004
I spend a weekend in Arbroath with an organisation called WEC discovering more about Christian mission worldwide and feel challenged to consider going sooner rather than later.
January 2005
I start filling in lengthy and slightly daunting application forms for Wycliffe to do a 2-year assignment in literacy in French speaking Africa.
Easter 2005
I survive the interviews and am accepted onto the programme! But where will I end up? I start finding out about the courses I will have to do in France and England, get my medical checks and resign from my job at MGS.
Early May 2005
Chad is the country I'm recommended for, but I still have to wait for confirmation. 'Where's that exactly?', I'm often asked. I start finding out more details about the project I'll be joining (Exciting stuff!) and start making preparations to pack up my life in Scotland. (Sniff, Sniff!)

What I know about the next few months...
May / June
I organise letting out my flat, sell my car, raise awareness about the work as well as deal with lots of other bits and pieces that need to be sorted.
July / August
Final preparations complete, I hopefully head to France for the first two (seemingly very intensive) courses, 'Introduction to Language and Culture' and 'Language and Culture Acquisition'. My French makes a quick recovery after several years of neglect!?!
September
A few weeks back in Scotland to be in Edinburgh, to visit family and friends and maybe have a holiday before heading down to the Wycliffe centre in Horsleys Green for an orientation week.
October - December
Twelve weeks of literacy training ensue at Horsleys Green where I get all the tools necessary to do the job effectively. (NB: 1st November, I'm birthday girl for a special birthday with a zero at the end - hint, hint!)
Christmas and New Year
Back to Scotland for the festive season!
Early January 2006
I go to Africa for 18 months to 2 years!