I'm in Omaha. 

But I'm doing a lot of talking about Africa. 

The vision of my Omaha event extended to the other side of the world today. Sandy Lemke, editor of Omaha Magazine had just returned from Africa and had a vision of going back and building water wells. Ruth Leacock has already formed Computers For Africa and has refurbished 1,500 computers that she sent over to Africa after living there for a couple of years. (To promote her program now, she put giant "mouse ears" on her cars as a reminder that even a computer mouse can dream bigger.) Karen Van Dyke visited Africa and it changed her life, too. She created a program called "Educate Uganda," which builds schoolhouses and supports school children. 100% of the money she raises goes to Africa. 

And although much of the day was dedicated to building my knowledge about the needs of the African people, it was also a great day to meet some people with other big visions. 

Kelly and Jim Jolkowski's son, Jason, disappeared from their driveway in 2001. They transformed this horrible incident into something positive - "Project Jason," which increases public awareness of people that have gone missing and helps the families of the missing. 

Jena Munson turned the physical disability she was born with into a life of helping others with physical disabilities. She dedicates her life to helping people with disabilities learn and participate in a wide range of sports. 

Jodi Cooper brings a network of community services and programs together to help vulnerable populations in Omaha. She serves as the mortar which holds the bricks together with her organization, inCommon Community Development. 

Paul Falkowski used to visit nursing homes playing music. The need to provide residents in these homes a few smiles and lots of love was so great to him, he made a life out of it by creating Desert Ministries, where hundreds of volunteers visit thousands of people. 

As the Executive Director of Winners Circle, Beth Smith brings corporate employees and a goal-setting mentality into local classrooms. "Goal Buddies" pass on the importance of setting goals to these young kids so they have the ability to provide themselves internal direction. 

Tammy Stalzer, Sabrina Schalley, and Jeanette Obal taught me that ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) is the opposite of Alzheimer's in that the mind is quite aware of the disappearing uses of the body. They are dedicated to making the last years of ALS patients' time comfortable and positive by providing needed equipment and care at no charge. 

Angie Champion founded H.O.P.E. (Healing Others by Promoting Enrichment). Her goal? To create an organization that matches families practicing positive values with single parent families and at-risk youth.

After my visit to Omaha, it was easy to conclude that big visions...an amazing dedication to service...and dreams of building Africa...are all certainly alive and flourishing in Nebraska!