I can add another new experience to my first mission trip...blogging. I've never done this before, never responded to one, and I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do so bear w/ me as I learn! However, it seems like a great way to share my trip to Haiti with you!
The organizer of this mission trip is from our church, Williamsburg Community Chapel. I felt lead to volunteer and after much prayer and soul searching...and some convicting revelations about myself which were painful...I found out last Wednesday night that I would be going. Since we leave early Thursday, I barely had 7 days to get my life in order! Michael was home on spring break from VA. Tech, and I wanted to enjoy some time w/ him...plus yard work, taxes, immunizations, start malaria preventive, solicit donations of supplies, gather my personal gear, board the pets, and all the myriad other things we do when we leave town. I plan trips MONTHS in advance...this time I had 7 days....and a trip unlike any I had ever taken.
I was stepping out in FAITH!
I'm taking a break from packing tonight. It's been a long day of running errands and picking up supplies. Physicians/nurses have been very generous donating lots of gloves, bandages, lidocaine, blue pads, meds, OB supplies, etc....everything we will use we must take with us. Dentists have donated toothbrushes/toothpaste, floss, and stickers. I look forward to handing these out to the children we will see so they can leave with something after hours of waiting and suffering. These supplies have been packed into large duffel bags weighing 50 lbs each. We will check 2 of these each as our "luggage".
Which leaves all the other "stuff" to fit into a backpack as our carry-on luggage. I like to pack light when I travel, but I usually have a bed, a shower, somewhere to wash clothes to wear again, a store for forgotten supplies, and protection from the elements and pests. In Haiti, I will have none of those things so I must take them w/ me.
We will be sleeping in tents so I have a sleeping bag, pad, pillow, towel, mosquito netting, toiletries, wipes, batteries, rain jacket, sunscreen, lots of bug spray, meds, clothing - scrubs, underwear, socks, journal/pens, flashlight/pocketknife/etc, snack food, hat...and the list goes on. Now you may be a better packer than I am, but can you image putting your entire life for 12 days inside a backpack! Thank goodness the food is packed elsewhere...which consists of MREs ..."meals ready to eat" used by the military. YUM!!!
We know that conditions will be 4th world. They will be way beyond the rustic of camping we are use to even in scouts. No showers so lots of wipes...I've tried to figure out how many to take per day. They take up lots of backpack room so tonight I plan to cut them in half...thanks for the suggestion, Deb!
There are no washing facilities so underwear, socks, and scrubs will need to be worn multiple days. Yes, I will have deodorant, but I'm not sure that even the most powerful will make me and the others feel "fresh"! Are you starting to get the picture?
I checked the weather and the coolest day looks to be 92. The rainy season is starting soon so 20%-30% chance of rain each day. It will be only by God's grace that I will survive the heat and humidity...and maybe my own body odor!
Many of you may be surprised to get an email telling you about my mission trip and letting you know about this blog site. I didn't tell many people because I knew you would send me wonderful emails or call me and I didn't have time to respond. This is my way to tell you that you are important to me and I want to include you on this adventure.
I don't know if I will have the ability to communicate once I'm in Haiti. One month ago this mission team occasionally could connect to the internet so we will see this time. It will depend on conditions and even if there is the presence of a laptop. I know my cell phone will not work while I'm there. Some of us travel many miles to "lose" technology on vacation but this might be a little extreme even for me!
Well, the break is over so back to packing. You know I love to be organized! Oh, for a little...or a lot!...more room. It does make you become creative...like powder for a bad hair day (which will be really bad after about 5 days!), scripture written on notecards rather than a Bible, duct tape wrapped around my pens, light day pads inside underwear (females will know what I mean and thanks, Dawn, for that suggestion!).
Hope more tomorrow and I'll send out an email late Wednesday night/early Thursday AM before I leave so you can hopefully join me in prayer and service for the Haiti people. I do ask for your prayers for our group...safety and health, free from injuries, good humor, lots of energy, an adventurous spirit, and the chance to share the love and grace of our Christ. I wouldn't mind unseasonably cool temperatures and for the mosquitoes to mysteriously disappear either...but I know we will manage!
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Hope you are on the ground, safe & sound, Judy! Good job getting this blog up & running. Your later posts aren't making it, though--not sure what's up? But you are in our prayers and we'll eagerly await news!! Much Love, Claire & Co.
ReplyDeleteJuice you continue to be covered "in name" by me, Kimbo and the kids each day! I so proud of you for accepting God's calling to go with the TEAM and I'm sure your strategic, detailed, indepth, and complete packing of everything possible is becoming a tremendous blessing to the others traveling with you! I can hear you now as someone on the team says "rats I forgot my..." and you burst out "OH, I GOT THAT!" and rummage thru your duffle bag to eagerly share your stuff with them. Praise God some things never change Sis. Even though I can't read your recent posts we know our loving Heavenly Father is hearing your words and he is smiling on you & TEAM. I pray that you get multiple ocassions to share the gospel of Jesus Chirst with the children and adults while you're there. They are a hurt people and need to HEAR and SEE that God loves them and can provide for them. You may be ONLY ONE who ever looks theem in the eye and offers the gift...the FREE gift...of salvation to them. I pray you remain BOLD in your witness and I pray you get to laugh, hug, and yes even cry with those who continue to endure a hardship we who are spoiled by lifes comforts will probably never know. Judy, you are an awesome child of a glorious Heavenly Father and as your Brother I am encouraged by "your step of faith". Your unselfish act to uproot, travel and to give of your time and talent is a blessing to many more than you can imagine. I pray you remain strong and healhty during the entire trip and I pray ALL of your supplies made it in a prompt manner. We love you and look forwad to seeing and hearing deatils. your "little bro" John
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