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...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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....
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....
Thursday, March 10, 2011
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...
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...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, February 21, 2011
32 more sleeps....
March 25, 2011 cannot come any sooner!
We had a meeting at church yesterday- we being the Haiti Team. I found out that someone whom I have come to love in my home fellowship group is going with me! YAY! I won't be surrounded by people who I do not know! What a blessing to me! The second best thing... she's a nurse too! :)
Time is going slow right now... and I am sure that I will be asking for it to slow down as time goes by!
Interesting hitch: my car died. While I was cleaning it out before the company to whom it has been donated to came and towed it out, I found my Christmas bonus cheque that I had forgotten about! There is a bump up in the amound needed! I have 600.00 in, 500.00 saved to give + 100.00 that I just found= leaving me 745.00 to go! I have two more paycheques to go... I am leaning on God for every cent... I trust that my faith is sufficent enough!
No car, means new adventures in transit! :) At least until my borrowed car is registered and insured...
32 more sleeps....
We had a meeting at church yesterday- we being the Haiti Team. I found out that someone whom I have come to love in my home fellowship group is going with me! YAY! I won't be surrounded by people who I do not know! What a blessing to me! The second best thing... she's a nurse too! :)
Time is going slow right now... and I am sure that I will be asking for it to slow down as time goes by!
Interesting hitch: my car died. While I was cleaning it out before the company to whom it has been donated to came and towed it out, I found my Christmas bonus cheque that I had forgotten about! There is a bump up in the amound needed! I have 600.00 in, 500.00 saved to give + 100.00 that I just found= leaving me 745.00 to go! I have two more paycheques to go... I am leaning on God for every cent... I trust that my faith is sufficent enough!
No car, means new adventures in transit! :) At least until my borrowed car is registered and insured...
32 more sleeps....
Friday, January 21, 2011
Preparation Begins....
I am blessed. My family is thrilled that I am going, and that I am following through with God's leading and direction. I work for a company that is behind me in this adventure of going to Haiti. I have a wonderful Home Fellowship Group that have been praying for me, and continue to do so. I attend a Truth Project Small Group, who celebrate with me the small victories towards Haiti. I have friends, coworkers and clients helping me relearn my french so that I can communicate and understand.
I have been getting a lot of email with preparation tools attached. I love it. The more prepared that I am, the less shock it will be when I get down there.
It's in this preparation that I pause and think: God is working. I was reminded at a play on Wednesday that people from small towns, not unlike what I grew up in, can make a difference globally. I am not scared to go down with the cholera outbreak, the political unrest, the bugs with malaria: I know that I am to go down, and that God will cover me and protect me. I have people all over the country praying for me, helping me lay down the ground work for the work that will be going on whilst in Jacmel, Haiti. The people of Jacmel, Haiti are friendly and welcoming to us.
What will I be doing? Sounds like the ministry activities change weekly based on what the need is, opportunities that arise and who is all in my team. Typically, there are groups that are sent to various location daily: children programs in local schools, remote locales and orphanges. Construction projects and medical assistance at the hospital are also part of the daily activities.(Construction work may consist of demolition, repair, and new construction of interim schools, churches, orphanges, and homes; fabrication of school benches and church pews.) Night time activities may include film outreaches and local church visits. Some other ideas are receiving and unloading food and medical supplies, food and clothing distribution, remote community outreach, special sports outreach events and more. Exciting to hear, isn't it?
My prayers:
1. That I will be used to God's Glory and Will in Haiti
2. Team Safety, Unity and Effectiveness
3. That I die to self and live for Him
4. My heart for the poor, underserved, underpriviledge will continue to grow
5. My lessons learned on the field will transfer to my employment and life in Calgary.
6. I am shy - pray that I will grow BOLD and share my testimony (the more eternal my perspective, the more intitiative I take, the more I will touch hearts and see God's glory!)
7. I am trusting that all I need will be provided- I pray that this will happen
8. There is someone in Haiti God has destined me to cross paths with : pray for this divine meeting.
9. I will be expecting discomfort and challenges: I want to be pulled and pushed however I want to be able to do this with a dependency and faith in the LORD to pull me through.
10. I know that God is working through me to touch lives (in Canada and in Haiti), however, He is STILL working in me to make me more like Himself.
11. Pray for flexibility, willingness, and that I will be molded in His loving hands.
Lord, use me as Your hands, Your feet, Your voice in Haiti. Thank you for the team that you have brought together. Thank you for the leadership, preparation and the work that is going on in Haiti, and in Calgary.
I have been getting a lot of email with preparation tools attached. I love it. The more prepared that I am, the less shock it will be when I get down there.
It's in this preparation that I pause and think: God is working. I was reminded at a play on Wednesday that people from small towns, not unlike what I grew up in, can make a difference globally. I am not scared to go down with the cholera outbreak, the political unrest, the bugs with malaria: I know that I am to go down, and that God will cover me and protect me. I have people all over the country praying for me, helping me lay down the ground work for the work that will be going on whilst in Jacmel, Haiti. The people of Jacmel, Haiti are friendly and welcoming to us.
What will I be doing? Sounds like the ministry activities change weekly based on what the need is, opportunities that arise and who is all in my team. Typically, there are groups that are sent to various location daily: children programs in local schools, remote locales and orphanges. Construction projects and medical assistance at the hospital are also part of the daily activities.(Construction work may consist of demolition, repair, and new construction of interim schools, churches, orphanges, and homes; fabrication of school benches and church pews.) Night time activities may include film outreaches and local church visits. Some other ideas are receiving and unloading food and medical supplies, food and clothing distribution, remote community outreach, special sports outreach events and more. Exciting to hear, isn't it?
My prayers:
1. That I will be used to God's Glory and Will in Haiti
2. Team Safety, Unity and Effectiveness
3. That I die to self and live for Him
4. My heart for the poor, underserved, underpriviledge will continue to grow
5. My lessons learned on the field will transfer to my employment and life in Calgary.
6. I am shy - pray that I will grow BOLD and share my testimony (the more eternal my perspective, the more intitiative I take, the more I will touch hearts and see God's glory!)
7. I am trusting that all I need will be provided- I pray that this will happen
8. There is someone in Haiti God has destined me to cross paths with : pray for this divine meeting.
9. I will be expecting discomfort and challenges: I want to be pulled and pushed however I want to be able to do this with a dependency and faith in the LORD to pull me through.
10. I know that God is working through me to touch lives (in Canada and in Haiti), however, He is STILL working in me to make me more like Himself.
11. Pray for flexibility, willingness, and that I will be molded in His loving hands.
Lord, use me as Your hands, Your feet, Your voice in Haiti. Thank you for the team that you have brought together. Thank you for the leadership, preparation and the work that is going on in Haiti, and in Calgary.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
OFFiCALLY PART OF HAITI TEAM
Hi,
you’re receiving this email as a confirmation that you will be part of the Haiti Initiative team! More information will be forthcoming soon, so be looking for an email or phone call soon. God bless you as you prepare your heart to serve the poor and be the hands and feet of Jesus in March!
you’re receiving this email as a confirmation that you will be part of the Haiti Initiative team! More information will be forthcoming soon, so be looking for an email or phone call soon. God bless you as you prepare your heart to serve the poor and be the hands and feet of Jesus in March!
Pastor Les.
Received January 16, 2011 @ 18:36hrs
YEA!!! I'm going!!!
Christmas.....
Just to back track a bit...
For Christmas, my wonderful family gave me some important things to take down to Haiti with me, things that I can either leave down there if I don't use it, or things that I can use camping, backpacking,etc.
I was blessed. I was encouraged.
My little sister had taken my mother to Toronto, Ontario from their small town shopping for me. The love and support that I received Christmas Day from the package that came out of that shopping trip was amazing!! Just to know that my family fully supported me in this adventure is awesome!
Love it!
For Christmas, my wonderful family gave me some important things to take down to Haiti with me, things that I can either leave down there if I don't use it, or things that I can use camping, backpacking,etc.
I was blessed. I was encouraged.
My little sister had taken my mother to Toronto, Ontario from their small town shopping for me. The love and support that I received Christmas Day from the package that came out of that shopping trip was amazing!! Just to know that my family fully supported me in this adventure is awesome!
Love it!
Bumps In The Road on the way to Haiti....
Since my last post... the road to Haiti has been bumpy.
I missed an important meeting because I did not get the email annoucing it.
There were more interested in the trip than spots left.
I was told that I may not be going.... and that caused me all kinds of feelings.
I filled out the application and all... only to have my deposit slip out of the envelope and land on the office floor. I never noticed until Pastor Les told me. I thought that for sure that I was done, that nothing was going to happen now.
The concern that got me the most was that I started to doubt that I had heard God's Calling, that I was wrong in that. I had to really pray about that, as to doubt that I heard God's voice tell me to get ready to go.... that all these feelings that I had for Haiti were wrong-- just didn't jive with the God that I know.
That's when I a new prayer started in my heart... if not with my church Lord, with whom shall I go to Haiti with? Every inch of my being told me that I was to go to Haiti, too many things in my life were working the right way to go...
On Jan. 09, 2011 my application went in.... now all I had to do was wait....
I missed an important meeting because I did not get the email annoucing it.
There were more interested in the trip than spots left.
I was told that I may not be going.... and that caused me all kinds of feelings.
I filled out the application and all... only to have my deposit slip out of the envelope and land on the office floor. I never noticed until Pastor Les told me. I thought that for sure that I was done, that nothing was going to happen now.
The concern that got me the most was that I started to doubt that I had heard God's Calling, that I was wrong in that. I had to really pray about that, as to doubt that I heard God's voice tell me to get ready to go.... that all these feelings that I had for Haiti were wrong-- just didn't jive with the God that I know.
That's when I a new prayer started in my heart... if not with my church Lord, with whom shall I go to Haiti with? Every inch of my being told me that I was to go to Haiti, too many things in my life were working the right way to go...
On Jan. 09, 2011 my application went in.... now all I had to do was wait....
Friday, December 3, 2010
Hurry Up... I'm Ready To Go
I missed church one Sunday morning. It was the wrong one to miss! The sign up list for Haiti went public that Sunday and quickly was filled. However, I was there the next Sunday, signing up for the Ladies' Breakfast and hurriedly signed up for the trip.
Oct 26, 2010 was the day that I decided to follow the Lord's leading to go to Haiti. It's now Dec. 3, 2010. I am dying to get going on the trip... I am more excited daily.
There is a lot of hardship going on in Haiti right now. Still cleaning up from the natural disasters (earthquake, hurricane, floods), illnesses (cholera) and political strife (elections that may have been tainted). Haitians are people who are hurting right now and are in need of prayers.
A dear friend, Margot, sought me out at church one Sunday. She wanted me to know how Samartian's Purse is working down in Haiti right now and that one of her friends went down with that organization. My heart is on my sleeve, my love for Haiti is quite visible.
At my work, we are blessed with a Student Run Clinic. This is a medical clinic run by medical students of the global and public health interest group. A fabulous group of students who have a heart for the underserved, underpriviledged hurting souls. This past Nov. they held a Rich Man, Poor Man dinner, in support of the Bouly Clinic in Haiti. I wasn't asked to go.... my co-worked told me I was going. I had no clue it was about Haiti until she passed on the email the evening prior to the event. I have to admit that I wasn't into it, UNTIL the name HAITI came up.
For all who don't know- a Rich Man Poor Man's Dinner is a dinner where you may be served a rich man's dinner (three courses, served to you in person) or a poor man's dinner (communal dinner that is served 'family style' for you to seve yourself). There is a group of seven at a table, with one being the Rich Man. This is in correlation to the wealth in the world- only 1 in 7 worldwide is classified as being able to eat the way that us Canadians eat daily. Haitian food was the Poor Man's dinner- rice, beans, veggie stew and a sharp coleslaw. It looked yummy and very healthy. It was during my research afterward the dinner that I learned that it was lucky Haitians that enjoyed a meal like that... some eat 'Yellow Cookies' which is yellow dirt with animal fat and salt which is cooked together. My heart breaks when I think of that.
At the dinner there was a bit of a program- leaning about the Bouly Clinic and how the money raised that night would be used. followed by a key note speaker who was woring at the clinic and the amazing work that he does there, and the night ended with a Haitian dancer. My heart was renewed and my vision focused on Haiti after a night like that.
My twitter account is now full of reporters working in Haiti, medical teams working in Haiti and a brave soul from Haiti that tweets about what is going on. All of these tweets, once investigated by simple research for vaildity, become my prayer requests.
At the present moment, there are 83 days until I leave for Haiti.
Hurry up and wait.
Oct 26, 2010 was the day that I decided to follow the Lord's leading to go to Haiti. It's now Dec. 3, 2010. I am dying to get going on the trip... I am more excited daily.
There is a lot of hardship going on in Haiti right now. Still cleaning up from the natural disasters (earthquake, hurricane, floods), illnesses (cholera) and political strife (elections that may have been tainted). Haitians are people who are hurting right now and are in need of prayers.
A dear friend, Margot, sought me out at church one Sunday. She wanted me to know how Samartian's Purse is working down in Haiti right now and that one of her friends went down with that organization. My heart is on my sleeve, my love for Haiti is quite visible.
At my work, we are blessed with a Student Run Clinic. This is a medical clinic run by medical students of the global and public health interest group. A fabulous group of students who have a heart for the underserved, underpriviledged hurting souls. This past Nov. they held a Rich Man, Poor Man dinner, in support of the Bouly Clinic in Haiti. I wasn't asked to go.... my co-worked told me I was going. I had no clue it was about Haiti until she passed on the email the evening prior to the event. I have to admit that I wasn't into it, UNTIL the name HAITI came up.
For all who don't know- a Rich Man Poor Man's Dinner is a dinner where you may be served a rich man's dinner (three courses, served to you in person) or a poor man's dinner (communal dinner that is served 'family style' for you to seve yourself). There is a group of seven at a table, with one being the Rich Man. This is in correlation to the wealth in the world- only 1 in 7 worldwide is classified as being able to eat the way that us Canadians eat daily. Haitian food was the Poor Man's dinner- rice, beans, veggie stew and a sharp coleslaw. It looked yummy and very healthy. It was during my research afterward the dinner that I learned that it was lucky Haitians that enjoyed a meal like that... some eat 'Yellow Cookies' which is yellow dirt with animal fat and salt which is cooked together. My heart breaks when I think of that.
At the dinner there was a bit of a program- leaning about the Bouly Clinic and how the money raised that night would be used. followed by a key note speaker who was woring at the clinic and the amazing work that he does there, and the night ended with a Haitian dancer. My heart was renewed and my vision focused on Haiti after a night like that.
My twitter account is now full of reporters working in Haiti, medical teams working in Haiti and a brave soul from Haiti that tweets about what is going on. All of these tweets, once investigated by simple research for vaildity, become my prayer requests.
At the present moment, there are 83 days until I leave for Haiti.
Hurry up and wait.
Decision Made, Now What?
On the way home from the travel clinic, I had to call my parents. I am so thankful for a cellphone that has speaker phone! I first spoke to my father... a very caring man, who has a heart for his eldest daughter. He listened to me moan, groan and complain about how I got an owie getting a vaccination and how I can't handle getting needles. He chuckled, sensing my humor in the whole thing! He graciously puts my mother on the phone.... and I revereted to a little girl! Also sensing my humor, she played along.... however, she abruptly stopped and said.... WAIT! Does this mean you're going?
I was able to say YES! I am going!
After I got home and spoke to my loving fiance, I sent the email out to Pastor Les, the pastor leading the trip. We had been corresponding back and forth, as I had asked Pastor Quin for more info in order to be able to share and answer questions of those who were praying for me.
I was able to share my decision the next day with my close friends and family, and the next day with my prayer warriors at my class.
Haiti.... Serving.... Me... Who Knew???
I was able to say YES! I am going!
After I got home and spoke to my loving fiance, I sent the email out to Pastor Les, the pastor leading the trip. We had been corresponding back and forth, as I had asked Pastor Quin for more info in order to be able to share and answer questions of those who were praying for me.
I was able to share my decision the next day with my close friends and family, and the next day with my prayer warriors at my class.
Haiti.... Serving.... Me... Who Knew???
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Travel Clinic-- and big breaths
The day arrived that I was sort of looking forward to and sorta not.
A bit of background... Haiti is a poor country that shares a Caribbean Island with Dominican Republic. It had a massive earthquake in January 2010 that caused the already struggling country to crumble. In Sept. 2010, confirmed cases of Cholera were found in the residents. This spread from the outlining area to the main city after a flood caused by a hurricane in Oct. 2010. Malaria is well known in Haiti due to the high level of mosquitoes that habitate there.
After working a long day at my day job, I attended my appointment with the Travel Clinic. I had a fabulous RN there who took really good care of me. She recommended my immunizations, some shots, some not... and prepared me for what will be coming at me when in Haiti. I was recommended my MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), Cholera, Hepatitis A, Flu, Typhoid Fever, Rabies, Malaria. A good recommendation was also to take Cipro (antibiotic) with me in case I am haunted by traveller's diarrhea. I got the shots... which really hurt! and took the information about when to get my rabies, and how to connect with my cholera and malaria. Thank goodness Cholera and Malaria are in liquid and pill form!!
The preparation pamplet that was given to me is priceless! What to expect, what to do and how to protect myself.
It was during my first Hep A shot that I felt secure enough to say out loud and boldly: I AM GOING TO HAITI!
Now, to let my church know.....
A bit of background... Haiti is a poor country that shares a Caribbean Island with Dominican Republic. It had a massive earthquake in January 2010 that caused the already struggling country to crumble. In Sept. 2010, confirmed cases of Cholera were found in the residents. This spread from the outlining area to the main city after a flood caused by a hurricane in Oct. 2010. Malaria is well known in Haiti due to the high level of mosquitoes that habitate there.
After working a long day at my day job, I attended my appointment with the Travel Clinic. I had a fabulous RN there who took really good care of me. She recommended my immunizations, some shots, some not... and prepared me for what will be coming at me when in Haiti. I was recommended my MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), Cholera, Hepatitis A, Flu, Typhoid Fever, Rabies, Malaria. A good recommendation was also to take Cipro (antibiotic) with me in case I am haunted by traveller's diarrhea. I got the shots... which really hurt! and took the information about when to get my rabies, and how to connect with my cholera and malaria. Thank goodness Cholera and Malaria are in liquid and pill form!!
The preparation pamplet that was given to me is priceless! What to expect, what to do and how to protect myself.
It was during my first Hep A shot that I felt secure enough to say out loud and boldly: I AM GOING TO HAITI!
Now, to let my church know.....
Interest Grows....
In this present journey in my life, I am learning to be bold and speak up.
It was Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend when my heart started to turn to Haiti. I looked up the country in the persecuted church website, read up on wikipedia and located it on the globe.
It was after the weekend was over when I was able to speak to my parents who live 1500 miles away from me, our weekly conversation. I learned that when they were visiting friends in Southern Ontario that they made known my request for the Lord's leading in the possibility of heading down to Haiti. I was overwhelmed to tears as they told me how my parents friends laid hands on them and prayed for me. Just knowing that people who have only met me once were praying for me caused my heart to be full of love and acceptance. My parents were being bold for me, in a different province!
It was that Tuesday that I gave in and called the travel clinic in our health region to discuss what I would have to go through in regards to immunizations and **gasp*** needles. I had to make an appointment for a consult. I did.. I was bold enough to make the appointment.
I started to share around my work of the opportunity to anyone that I felt close to. I had lots of positive comments on how I would be good done there and how it would open my worldview. I was being bold, speaking to those to whom I understood not to share the same faith as me.
Boldness... me.... who knew?
It was Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend when my heart started to turn to Haiti. I looked up the country in the persecuted church website, read up on wikipedia and located it on the globe.
It was after the weekend was over when I was able to speak to my parents who live 1500 miles away from me, our weekly conversation. I learned that when they were visiting friends in Southern Ontario that they made known my request for the Lord's leading in the possibility of heading down to Haiti. I was overwhelmed to tears as they told me how my parents friends laid hands on them and prayed for me. Just knowing that people who have only met me once were praying for me caused my heart to be full of love and acceptance. My parents were being bold for me, in a different province!
It was that Tuesday that I gave in and called the travel clinic in our health region to discuss what I would have to go through in regards to immunizations and **gasp*** needles. I had to make an appointment for a consult. I did.. I was bold enough to make the appointment.
I started to share around my work of the opportunity to anyone that I felt close to. I had lots of positive comments on how I would be good done there and how it would open my worldview. I was being bold, speaking to those to whom I understood not to share the same faith as me.
Boldness... me.... who knew?
Me? Haiti?
I started going to a new church in the early spring of 2010.
It was during a Newcomer's Lunch in Sept. 2010 that a chance meeting helped shape the change of my heart and my life
I was sitting at my table when our Associate Pastor Quinn came over and introduced himself to me and we started chatting. He asked me the direct question that I was hoping no one would ask... how are you going to serve in the church? I hummed and hawed in my thoughts and then my heart spoke that I am and have always been interested in Missions. He explained to me the opportunity that our church has to go to Haiti during the months of Jan- March for one week to serve.
I started to pray that day.
About a week later, I was able to choke out the prayer request to my parents. They of course were travelling and were happy to hear that I was asking for the Lord's guidance on the opportunity. The day after that conversation, I was able to ask my co-workers, my friends at my Home Fellowship Group and my study group at the Truth Project to pray for me as I look to the Lord for leading and guidance.
This is the start of the boldness that has become a part of me.....
It was during a Newcomer's Lunch in Sept. 2010 that a chance meeting helped shape the change of my heart and my life
I was sitting at my table when our Associate Pastor Quinn came over and introduced himself to me and we started chatting. He asked me the direct question that I was hoping no one would ask... how are you going to serve in the church? I hummed and hawed in my thoughts and then my heart spoke that I am and have always been interested in Missions. He explained to me the opportunity that our church has to go to Haiti during the months of Jan- March for one week to serve.
I started to pray that day.
About a week later, I was able to choke out the prayer request to my parents. They of course were travelling and were happy to hear that I was asking for the Lord's guidance on the opportunity. The day after that conversation, I was able to ask my co-workers, my friends at my Home Fellowship Group and my study group at the Truth Project to pray for me as I look to the Lord for leading and guidance.
This is the start of the boldness that has become a part of me.....
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