Arrival

I arrived in Haiti at 7:45 am today after no sleep in the Miami airport. For the next week I'll be living at the guesthouse while the water pump at my house is fixed.

I spent the day with Beth--grocery shopping, chatting with friends, picking up the boys from school, and just talking about stuff. We also drove by the house where my apartment is, but we only saw the gate. It's gray. I probably won't get to see the inside until after Sunday. Johanes (who lives upstairs) comes back from the States on Sunday, and there is a funeral in Gramothe after church on Sunday. I think we'll (more likely they will) be busy preparing for the funeral service.

Right now the plan is that I'll go meet the kids at Laboule on Monday or Tuesday next week. I'm looking forward to catching up on sleep between now and then.

Sweetness

This message from a family at my church is just one of the awesome ways God has shown me how much I am loved and cared for by my ministry partners. Such sweetness from these precious little ones caused me to cry tears of thankfulness.

Britney-
Today is your big day! We looked on the map at how far you'll travel today and tomorrow. Then the kids and I talked about what you might be feeling today and prayed for you. Here is a message from each of the kids:
T (9)- "I hope that you get there quick and safely. I hope you have a good time there."
E (7)- "I prayed that you would teach good and that the kids would learn how to do what you teach. I hope you have a good time." E also prayed that you would remember that God is always with you.
L (5)- "I prayed that God would make you not be scared. I can send you some food if you get hungry." L loves that her VBS teacher is a missionary!
A (4)- She remembered that I was scared and sad before I went to Ukraine. She thought you may be feeling the same way and prayed that God would help you not be scared or sad. She also remembered that you had a friend helping at your garage sale and thought you might miss her while you were gone. She prayed that you and your friend wouldn't be lonely. It was very sweet and sincere!

Take care, Britney! We're thinking of you and praying for your traveling days!

P.

Ground Rules

Some friends felt it was necessary to give me the following rules before I left for Haiti:

1. You WILL come home.
2. Avoid the Haitian Sensation.
3. If you meet a man, he is moving here to be with you not vice versa. See rule #1.
4. You must come home for Christmas.

Does anyone else have other ground rules I should be aware of?

Mixed Emotions

I leave for Haiti tomorrow.


Tomorrow.


Do you know how crazy that is? It's almost unbelievable to me. It shouldn't be. My house is empty, my bags are packed, and I've said goodbye to all my friends. It doesn't get much more real than that.


But it still hasn't quite clicked in my mind. Going to Haiti still seems like something hoped for, something that might happen someday.


I hope I don't have a breakdown once I get there and it finally sinks in that I'm living in Haiti for a year.

Another Update: So much to do, so little time

Things on my list...

• get typhoid and tetanus vaccines
• change car insurance
• return garage sale tables to church
• finish packing up garage sale leftovers 
• cancel cell phone service starting Sept. 9th
• write thank yous to supporters
• write or find a decent lease
• rent U-haul for Monday
• rent a storage unit
• finish packing clothes
• pack craft stuff
• pack two clothes closets and the linen closet
• send prayer card file to Miss Donna
• return tubs to friends who donated garage sale items
• call about student loans
• cancel Internet
• pack kitchen
• pack decorations
• pack remaining linens
• empty fridge

New items for the list

• pack toilettries
• finish laundry and pack those clothes
• transfer purses
• wrap appliances in trash bags
• clean microwave
• take out the trash

Update: So much to do, so little time

Things on my list...

• get typhoid and tetanus vaccines
• change car insurance
• return garage sale tables to church
• finish packing up garage sale leftovers 
• cancel cell phone service starting Sept. 9th
• write thank yous to supporters
• write or find a decent lease
• rent U-haul for Monday
• rent a storage unit
• finish packing clothes
• pack craft stuff
• pack two clothes closets and the linen closet
• send prayer card file to Miss Donna
• return tubs to friends who donated garage sale items
• call about student loans
• cancel Internet
• pack kitchen
• pack decorations
• pack remaining linens
• empty fridge

So much to do, so little time

Things on my list...

• get typhoid and tetanus vaccines
• change car insurance
• return garage sale tables to church
• finish packing up garage sale leftovers 
• cancel cell phone service starting Sept. 9th
• write thank yous to supporters
• write or find a decent lease
• rent U-haul for Monday
• rent a storage unit
• finish packing clothes
• pack craft stuff
• pack two clothes closets and the linen closet
• send prayer card file to Miss Donna
• return tubs to friends who donated garage sale items
• call about student loans
• cancel Internet
• pack kitchen
• pack decorations
• pack remaining linens
• empty fridge