Good Bye Canada!!!

Well,  tomorrow is the day!  It's FINALLY here!!

I am packed! (and I am under my 50 lbs...  I have 5 lbs to bring pack artwork!!) My carry on is ready to go....  My cellphone now has an international carribean package.

Sunday was our commissioning.  Pastor Glen prayed over us and for us.  I was touched by the laying of hands on me by my friend Chris who is a missionary by trade.  Pastor Glen reminded us of the adversary that lurks around... and to be on the watch for him.  Prior to that, we had a team meeting and got to work on our drama and lesson plan.  I learned a new song all about baby sharks that we have translated into Creole to sing with the children there.

Tuesday was my last day of work.  I did my billlings for one of the doctors I worked with, I cleaned off my desk, I cleared out my email, put my out of office reply to work, and handed off things to those who will attempt to fill my shoes.  My chronic disease nurse, Bronwyn and Dr. H took me out for a Dim Sum lunch to wish me off.  I was able to good bye to those whom I am close to at work.  Everyone is so supportive, and loving...  I do go to work for my clients however I enjoy my work because of whom I work with.

I said good bye to my pallative patient.  This was hard on both of us... he is doing well now, however, things can change forever in an hr for him.  I was able to tell him things that I wanted him to know, and what I couldn't or felt that now isnt the time, I wrote to him in a letter to be given to him only at that time. 

Monday I had to say good bye to two of the gals that I work with as they were either away or on course on my last day of work.  It was an awesome surprise to come to work on Tuesday and have a gift awaiting me.

Wednesday was a day that I struggled with.  I had no energy.  I couldn't sleep.  I tried to rest but my head was spinning.  I was about to not have anything done that I wanted done for the day.  Then, my mother called.  She reminded me that this was not a flesh fight I was having but a spiritual one.  Satan knows of the work that my team and I will be doing and he wanted me to fail.  After a prayer and some positive words, I was able to get done what I needed to get done.  I will always remember my mother for this: she knows her battle ground!

Thursday is a day of last minute stuff.  I had to pop out and get some last minute items, visit the bank and pack. I was able to get a little cleaning done along the way as well.  I made it under my 50 lbs and my carry on has all that I will need.  I was super blessed today when I got an email from one of my small group leaders asking for last minute prayer requests-  I shared my heart and my joy.  This encouraged me.

Our travel plans are long... however, that is good. I will have a chance to write out my testimony and make it simple for the kids and encouraging for the teens and adults.  In our drama I have a simple part that makes the play easy for the Haitians to relate to.  I do have to share a mini lesson, however, I don't have to write it, just share it!  (Thanks Pastor Les!!)  My travel time will be preparation time.  My lay overs will be for rest and enjoying my teammates.  I am excited to add Dallas/Frt Worth, Puerto Rico and Haiti to my passport!!

So, dear readers, I am off to make a difference in this world.  Thank you for supporting me in this adventure.  I plan to post if I can while down there, and if not, I will add entries regarding each day when I return.

God Bless...

8 Days To Go...

8 days to go.  I think that those will be the longest days ever.

 I am done work in 5  days (with two days being the weekend) and I have left two days prior to being at the airport for 0500am next Friday to pack and pick up any incidentials that I have forgotten until then.

I am getting excited.... 

I am also getting touched emotionally.  Yesterday at work,  our volunteer chiropractor wished me well and adjusted me before going.  His thoughtfulness and caring ways touched me, as he wanted to send me off in his way. 
My church is having a prayer of commission for my team on Sunday Night.  I have been asking my Christian co-workers to attend if they could.  (I hope to see them there!!)  My family lives so far away and cannot be there for that moment, and we are a family at work!  I have been blessed with well wishes and hugs....   My working family has been counting the days down with me!

I have not forgotten the reason why I am going down.  I am going down to serve my living Saviour in any way possible.  I do have a hope and a desire to work in the medical clinic, however, if God does not want me to do that, I am open to that as well.  My goal is to show God's love to the Haitian people... any way He desires.

I have taken my cholera vaccine.  I will remember to take my malaria pills starting tommorrow.  Am I worried about the possibility of cholera's incline in cases? You bet.. but not personally.  I know that I am covered not only with vaccine but with the blood of my Saviour... He will protect me and not cause me harm.  The Haitians have been through so much...  earthquake, hurricane, cholera and just when one item on this list is getting better.... it can get worse. 

I have just learned that our lesson for the Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) that we will be doing for that week is on JOY.  That encourages me.  It will be good to reflect on that fruit of the spirit for the week.  The joy of the Lord is my strength... that song that I learned as a child will hopefully be my theme song while I am in Haiti. 

Whatever is going to happen, will happen.  How I react to it, will be my growing for the week. 

Lord,
Use Me. Mold Me.  I am Yours.
Thank you for dying the Cross for me.
Thank you for loving a gal like me.
Thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me.
Thank you for having a plan for me, one that will be prosperous and not harmful.
Thank you for sending me.


8 days to go.... excitement is building....

15 days to go...

My long awaited trip is coming up fast!  Today is March 10, 2011.  I leave Canada on March 25, 2011.

 I have a lot of work to do in my home before I leave it, as I have my cousin coming to stay while I am gone. 

I have a lot of prep work to do before I leave my employment for the two weeks that I will gone from it.... however, due to the nature of my work, I cannot do it until closer to the date of depature....

I have a plan... I just have to attack it.  The end result will be worth all the elbow grease that I use!

I am getting very excited about going and what I will be doing in Haiti.  I know that God is working in my life already...  and I know that He is preparing me for something larger than myself.  I am anticipating enjoying some Haitian food, and looking on GoogleMaps, Jacmel is quite the place to discover! :)

http://bassin-bleu.com/travel.html     <------ this is a picture I use to remind myself of the beauty that I will see.  I am a waterfalls gal, growing up in Ontario with lots of waterfalls all around.  Do enjoy!             
 
Onward and forward....  15 days to go...

The tickets have arrived!

Yesterday, in my email, I received a very precious step towards Haiti.
 The plane tickets!! 
I get to explore Dallas Fort Worth for a few hours, a few hours overnight in Puerto Rico and then land in Haiti very early in the am for a complete day in Haiti!

To me, this is just a small step... something tangible.

With minus 25 Celcius weather today, this is getting exciting!  Today in Port Au Prince,  Haiti the weather is PLUS 30 Degree Weather which feels like plus 34.   YAY!! 

That is going to be a welcome change!