Pre-Congo, I was a Guest Columnist with the Indianapolis Recorder

When you go to a conference, you go to learn something new or to network with others.

I went to the Bread for the World - Indiana State Conference 2008 "Advocacy to End Hunger in Our Time", March 29.  I went to participate and to present.  My major focus was to present during the Plenary Session: Africa -- Positive Steps / Hope for the Future.  I was asked to do a 10 minute talk about Congo Helping Hands' work.

Also, I went to participate and learn more about being an advocate for the poor and hungry.  I did not go to have a flashback (a bad choice of words) and remember a part of my past.  I attended the workshop on Media --- Why and How to Do It.  It was panel discussion with Laura McPhee (News Editor, NUVO), Dennis Ryerson (Editor, Indianapolis Star), and Shannon Williams (VP, Indianapolis Recorder) .

It was a very good workshop and conference.  All was well with me until the next day, then BAM!  My time as a guest columnist finally got my attention over the current issues of Congo, 5.4 million dead Congolese and millions suffering in extreme poverty.

From March 7, 1998 to April 9, 1999, I wrote a column every other week for Indianapolis Recorder, America's fourth oldest surviving African American newspaper.  The column, In Case You Are Asked, was technology column in the Business section.  It was a learning forum for small businesses about technology issues.

During the same period when I was a guest columnist, I got involved in my church's mission work in the Congo.  I made my first trip to the Congo in August 1998 and my life was never the same.

I wrote a short email to Shannon to thank her for the bring back to consciousness my time as a guest columnist at the Indianapolis Recorder. 

Dear Shannon,

Thanks for participating in the Indiana Bread for the World Conference. It was a pleasure to hear your exciting perspective.

Your presentation brought me back to the Indianapolis Recorder. I wrote a bi-weekly column for the Indianapolis Recorder from March 7, 1998 to April 9, 1999. That's a part of my life that was REPLACED by my current work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I made my first trip to the Congo in August 1998. Upon my return, I remember talking to a staff member about that life changing event. The old Woody was fading quickly.

Sorry, I did not get a chance to talk to you. But I was trying to do double duty both as a presenter and a participant.

Thanks for the flashback. Everything happens for a reason.