Resurfacing

Wow, I just realized that I haven't made a post in for-EV-er! ...Kinda went to Haiti. I then came back and pretty much hit the ground running, while still digesting the Haiti trip on the side.

Haiti was good. Really good. There were children, it was warm, I slept well, I ate well. Since I've been back, well, there are still children, but it's been cold, my sleep is off, and I have to cook for myself. Still, it has been really good to be home. It is interesting how we create new and different experiences for ourselves, only to crave what is familiar; what is 'home', in all senses of the word. Boy does a trip to a foreign country (that's not a resort) remind you of the things and people you appreciate most at home! And every little thing, too! I mean, there's the obvious stuff I missed, like having consistent and reliable internet access. But then there were things I didn't realize where such a salient part of my life. Like eating yogurt. At home I have yogurt almost daily, and halfway through my trip, we were taken to the grocery store, and there it was, and I was like, "yogurt!" because I realized I hadn't eaten it in a week!

I also realized how much I take my freedom for granted. If I am in the mood for a walk or bike ride, I just get my shoes on and go. Unless it's after dark, I don't generally think twice about it (I also don't purposefully walk or bike in sketchy areas of Edmonton). In Haiti, it's all sketchy. Especially because I was the minority. Therefore, we were not allowed to walk anywhere by ourselves, even if it was daylight. Understandable. But quite frustrating at times to not be able to just 'get away' from everything. The first Saturday I was home was actually really warm and sunny, so I got on my bike and meandered through the River Valley. It was SO nice.

My sleep patterns are definitely something I appreciated more in Haiti than here. The sun sets at around 6:15pm in Haiti. By 7pm it is completely dark. And DARK cuz there were no streetlights where we were. Our whole team was typically in bed between 8 and 8:30, and asleep by 9pm. I was no exception. And we were all up by 5:30, give or take. It was never a problem for me to rise at that hour (the sun was well up by then). I was never exhausted. Occasionally I would get up in the night to use the bathroom and it would take a little while for me to fall back asleep, and closer to the end of our trip, I noticed my body shifting to a slightly later and later sleep time, but overall, I slept excellently. Eight to nine hours every night. Several factors MAY have helped this. 1. It's dark and there's nothing else to do; might as well read a little and then go to sleep. 2. I wore ear plugs (which didn't eliminate the rooster and dog and gecko noises, but helped). 3. I took a melatonin before bed most nights to maintain the new rhythm. Still, it just seemed really easy to go to bed and to get up.

Here, it's all I can do to drag myself out of bed at 7am, and I'm not even in bed until 11pm. Generally not asleep till closer to midnight. Which isn't really all that different from before I went to Haiti, but now I don't like it so much. Yet, I don't exactly want to be in bed at 8:30 here, either. Life is still happening at 8:30, and not just because it's summer and therefore light out until 11pm now. I dunno. The expectations of my evening routine in a society that doesn't start to quiet down 'till at least 9pm, and the extended daylight (which I love) has been the only cultural readjustment I've had to deal with it, so I guess it could be worse. Mind you, it has been something I've pondered over off and on since my return. Do I like the way I prioritize my evenings? What do I want more of for myself with my free time and my sleep time? Can I balance my desire to slow down a bit earlier with the desire to be social and continue my extracurricular activities, which I love just as much? ...I'll let you know what I find out.

In the meantime, I should go take a melatonin.

T Minus 6 Days!

Exactly one week from now, I will be in Haiti, getting ready to play with and care for a lot of little children! I have spent much of the last several days packing, organizing, and trying to figure out what needs doing before I leave and what can wait 'till I get back!

I took my malaria pills this morning. The list of side effects was unreal. There was your standard nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, etc., and then the "rare but serious" side effects that warrant immediate medical attention, like seizures, mood disturbances, reduced red blood cells, fainting... so far, I am purple and have three heads, what does that mean? ;)

One Month to Go!

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat;

or about your body, what you will wear.”

Luke 12:22

We are blessed with so much here in Canada. Many around the world are much less fortunate, and cling daily to the promise that the Lord will meet their daily needs.

As you know, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to provide personal care and needed supplies to children in Haiti. In doing so, I hope to show God’s love to them. Along with four other team members, I will be traveling to the God’s Littlest Angels (GLA) Orphanage in rural Haiti (http://www.glahaiti.org). In addition to money and supplies, we are providing personal child care as well as a Vacation Bible School program.

Last year, the nation of Haiti was hit hard by the food crisis and by the destruction of two hurricanes. They have also felt the negative effects of the economic recession. While GLA was blessed in the ability to purchase land for a new orphanage site to expand their ministry (they are currently at maximum capacity and cannot take any new children), building has recently been stopped as they struggle to meet even the basic physical needs of the children in the current facility.

Our goal is to raise approximately $2,000 per person before travel. This amount will cover our flight and accommodation expenses. Any extra funds will be given to the orphanage as a gift. Would you like to be one of the people to help send me off to minister to these children, who are among the poorest in the Western Hemisphere? As well as funding, we also wish to collect medical supplies and infant care products to bring with us to meet basic health needs. Below is a list of supplies that you might consider donating. Last, and most certainly not least, you can contribute by praying for us.

Please make cheques payable to St. Paul’s Anglican Church and specify in the memo section of your cheque, “Haiti Mission Trip 2009”. You will receive a tax donation receipt. The church address is 10127-145 St., Edmonton, AB, T5N 2X6. Donated items can also be sent to the church or given to me. Contact me if you have any questions.

* * *
Items currently needed by GLA Orphanage (bold items indicate more significant need):

• infant liquid vitamins
• infant Tylenol
• bar soap - Ivory, Dial, Dove, or any other mild soap
• crib sheets
• antibacterial hand soap
• baby formula (especially for premature babies)
• disposable diapers (all sizes)
• scabies cream
• anti-fungal cream
• crib toys
• flip flop sandals (for staff)
• baby powder
• baby lotion
• baby shampoo
• computer photo paper - Kodak Ultima or Kodak Premium

Some things GLA really does NOT need at this time:

• clothing
• receiving blankets
• children's socks
• cloth diapers, diaper pins, plastic pants
• stuffed toys
• baby wash cloths

My team!