Your Daughter lives in Africa?

Guest blog part 1 of 2 from Dad (otherwise known as Jim Babcock)...


Sherra and I are often asked how we deal with Courtney living in Uganda. This is usually coupled with a question: “Isn’t Africa dangerous?” (Actually it is often more of a statement than a question. Many people think of Africa as one, big, homogenous place.) Also we hear, “Isn’t Africa is a long, long way away.”

My answers are that we deal with Courtney living in Africa the same way we dealt with our other daughters and grandkids in the USA: wherever they live, we find ways to see and enjoy them. Sometimes we visit them, sometimes they visit us, or sometimes we pick up the grandkids and go somewhere else.

In truth, visiting Africa is really not much different than getting to Northern Virginia or Denton, Texas, where we also have daughters and grandchildren. To visit, we need to travel. Getting to eastern Africa takes about 14 hours flight time. While that’s a long time in a plane, it’s a lot less that a road trip to Texas; or driving to some vacation spot in the western USA.

Regarding danger, if you go by the State Department travel advisories, Uganda and Rwanda do seem to be somewhat dangerous. But the State Department also cautions about travel to a number of border towns along the USA/Mexican border! So like I do for most things contemporary and involving my daughters’ generation, I ask their advice, trust their judgment and let them decide what is and isn’t a good idea or safe. And so far, they’ve been correct.

So in January, Sherra and I visited Courtney in Uganda and had the opportunity to visit Rwanda as well. And now WE are asked questions like: How far is it? Was it dangerous? How did you get around? You didn’t go with a group? What did you eat? Where did you stay? Weren’t you afraid of being robbed?

People seem think we are somewhat adventurous and daring. And that’s kind of neat!