Laura Bush Honored for her Work in Africa to Beat Malaria!

Amazingly, George W. Bush did more for Africa while he was president, than any other U.S. president to date, and yet one would never know it. In 2006, he held a White House Malaria Summit and announced the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), which has led efforts in 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to end malaria deaths. I found this description by Tim Goeglein of Bush particularly telling:

In my present role with Focus on the Family, I had to be up in South Africa earlier this year. Everywhere I went, whether for business meetings or ministry meetings, I was amazed at how highly regarded George W. Bush is in Africa. That’s a direct result of his compassionate conservatism and his historic work battling AIDS and malaria there. The President’s PEPFAR initiative against AIDS, and his anti-malarial program, stand among his most significant foreign policy achievements, and yet they’re little known or appreciated now, at least in the United States. I hope they will be recognized over time.

The great thing about this "Africa Story" is that it became a family affair. Laura Bush and the Bush daughters also took it on as a cause while in the White House, and the whole family continues to help the people of Africa.

Laura Bush was honored last night for her efforts to beat malaria. I have fallen in love with Africa since my missions trip this summer, so I find the Bush family's efforts very inspirational. Kudos to Laura Bush!

Related Links:
--Analysis: How George W Bush became an African hero
--First Lady Laura Bush Discusses Her Family’s Dedication to Ending Malaria
--President's Malaria Initiative
--Malaria No More

Laura and Jenna Bush in Kansas City!

First Lady Laura Bush and Jenna Bush came to Kansas City yesterday to promote their new book and I got to be there. They came to Unity Temple on the Plaza for a short presentation and then they autographed copies of their books. Rainy Day Books sold 1,000 tickets and books ahead of time. Several friends and I got to go and we met up with Heidi and her husband.

Thankfully, Heidi called and found out the doors opened even earlier than what they had previously said and she saved us seats. I was so bummed, because Rivka was supposed to go with us, but twisted her ankle the night before and wasn't able to come.

There were only 3 pathetic protesters and none of them assaulted us like has happened at previous events. Perhaps, if we had been able to rent Rivka a wheelchair and bring her with us they would've been braver. I wanted to say something to them but one of my friends urged me not to. Instead, I made eye contact with one of them and glared. I just find it absurd that they have nothing better to do with their lives than to protest at something that isn't even a political event.

Laura and Jenna Bush were both wonderful and gracious. Laura looks even prettier in person and so wonderful for her age. Jenna is very charming and articulate. It took hours to get through the line so we weren't supposed to say too much, but I did let them know it was an honor to meet them and that I home schooled my kids.

It was hard to get a decent picture and I don't have the best camera so I wasn't able to get a good picture of them. Instead, I did have someone take a picture of our group with us holding our books. The problem is, I left my camera in my friend's car. So as soon as I get it back I will add the picture to this post.

Laura and Jenna Bush Coming to KC!!

A group of friends and I are going to see Laura and Jenna Bush when they come to promote their children's book this month. Here are the details via Rainy Day Books:

Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Location: Unity Temple on The Plaza, Sanctuary, 707 W 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: 913-384-3126
Title of Event: Laura Bush and Jenna Bush for Read All About It!

Authors: The First Lady Laura Bush and The First Daughter Jenna Bush. Be one of the 1,000 lucky people to meet Laura and Jenna in person.

Title: Read All About It!, $17.99 Hardcover, ISBN 9780061560750, On Sale Date: April 22, 2008. Local Customers can Pick-Up their Tickets, Wristbands and Books at Our Bookstore, Tuesday, April 22 through Monday, April 28, 2008. Out-of-town Customers can Pick-Up their Tickets, Wristbands and Books at Our Author Event on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, beginning at 6:00 PM. You are advised to Pick-Up your Admission Packages of Tickets, Wristbands and Books either at Our Bookstore or at Our Author Event because the time is too short to Ship them.

What: The First Lady Laura Bush and The First Daughter Jenna Bush will give us a Multimedia PowerPoint Presentation about their new book, Read All About It! and the importance of reading for about 30 minutes and then they will autograph Single Copies of their new book, Read All About It!, purchased from Rainy Day Books, on our website and / or at Our Author Event, that are accompanied by a Stamped Sequentially Numbered Ticket and a Booksigning Line Wristband. Still Photos with cameras and cell phones will be allowed at a distance of individuals in the moving Booksigning Line. Posed Photos hold up the Booksigning Line and are Prohibited. Personal Video is Absolutely Prohibited.

When: Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 7:00 PM

Where: A Rainy Day Books Author Event at Unity Temple on The Plaza, Sanctuary, 707 W 47th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112