One week and counting!

Hello everyone! Welcome to my Kenya blog! I meant to start this several months ago, but better late than never!

In exactly one week from today my teammates and I will be on our way to Kenya! As most of you know already, I'm traveling with about 20 people for two weeks through a none profit organization, Real4Christ, and my church, Community Bible Church. So much has been going on these last few months since I decided to take this trip back in February. I signed up not knowing one person going and have been so happy that I made this decision.

We've had several training sessions over the last few months. We meet at the church or at some one's house, eat good food, and review or training manuals that were provided to us. While most of the group is girls, I really like everyone that is going!

I got a lot of shots in the last few weeks. I was already up to date on some of my shots like Hepatitis A & B, and recently received Polio, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid. I am taking a Malaria medication once a week for the next seven weeks. I've heard from several people that this medication will give you very vivid dreams and sometimes nightmares! Today I took my first dose so I'm praying for no scary dreams! Especially while I'm gone, as I don't want to have scary things in my head while I'm on this adventure! I will definitely take the medicine though, considering I've heard through friends about three people that just traveled there and got malaria even though they were taking the pills, too!

Sunday afternoon we will meet at the home of one of the ladies that is going with us. She has been collecting all of the supplies at her house the last couple of months. On the trip we will each be taking a back pack, and two large suitcases, one of which will be filled with supplies for our trip. Sunday we are going to finish organizing and packing these bags! I hope I'm able to keep up with all my luggage as we change flights and wander through unfamiliar airports!

Tuesday night is our "send-off party." Our families, friends, and supporters will gather together at one of the team member's home to pray, visit, and eat good food! I think we're expecting around 65 people! I've been in charge of coordinating with everyone on who is bringing what food. It's been a little bit more time consuming than I had originally imagined...my phone has been ringing off the hook for the last few days! Everything has come together nicely, thank goodness!

Our leader, Chris, gave each of us a book to read prior to going on our trip. It's called "Crazy Love." It is SO good! I'm not done with it yet but I have definitely been impressed so far. I'll let you know if I recommend it or not after I finish!

And then it will be THURSDAY! We are meeting at the airport at 6am. We will be traveling for 31 hours! We don't arrive in Mombassa until Friday night. We are flying to Detroit, Amsterdam, Nairobi, and finally Mombassa. This is the only part of the trip that I have been not looking forward to. Hopefully it won't be as bad as expected. I have books to read, my ipod, and a neck pillow! So, I think I will be okay:)

I think that really sums up what has been going on the last few months and what will be going on for the next week. The amount of support and encouragement that I have received from you all has been such a blessing and so overwhelming! From friends and family sending words of encouragement and helping financially to coworkers donating school and medical supplies, everyone has been so great! I would never be able to do this without y'all!

I'm so excited and can't wait to keep you updated on what is going on. While it will be hard to call home, I will be able to check my email and update this site every day (hopefully).
Our team also has a blog if you're interested in reading that one as well. http://www.missionmombasa.blogspot.com/

Well, that's all for now! Keep us in your thoughts as a lot will be going on for the next several weeks!