Less than 24hrs to go!

Well, I got my new PIN in plenty of time (see previous post). I hope I don't need to use it but it's nice to have the backup source of cash. I've since discovered that the bank card will be the cheaper way to go for getting money.

My bags have been mostly packed for weeks now, but I'm finding that I've forgotten what I packed. I'll have to poke through tomorrow morning for one last check.

This will be my last post before I leave, so next time I post I'll be in Africa! Maybe I'll even find time to post during my layover in Cairo who knows.

Thank-you for your support. God Bless!

Ack! Less than one week to go!

Yikes! I found out yesterday that I don't actually know the PIN code for my credit card. This is a huge snag since I was counting on it to get local currency when I arrive in Kenya. I've ordered a new one. Let's just pray it arrives in time. I may be able to use my bank card at some machines, it may be more expensive to use it on larger withdrawals though. For now at least I picked up some extra US currency to purchase shillings.

Most everything is packed, except for the stuff that I use on a daily basis. I picked out some books, to read during the quiet times.

Right now I'm some combination of excited and scared out of my wits! Which is resulting in a strangely calm outward appearance.

Anyway I've got to dash off to church now.

God Bless.

A bit off topic, but exciting none the less

I am happy to announce that on Saturday June 9 I became engaged to the love of my life Austin Hung.

Find details here

Getting there

Well I bought a duffle bag with wheels on it and I'm going to use the large suitcase on wheels that I already have and that'll keep me under the dimension restrictions for my checked luggage. Now all I have to do is pack them well. :D

I'm getting through all the craft prep without too much trouble. I even found some pony beads so now I can finish prepping my last craft.

Just over a month to go! Ack it's real now.

Visa Express

So on Tuesday I went to a workshop that was aimed at helping us apply for travel visa's for Kenya & Egypt. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, but it was nice to have somebody at hand that we could ask questions of. They are also going to double check all the applications for us and then send them off to Ottawa to each embassy. That's  a real load off my shoulders now.

Ouch!

Well I had my final appointment at the Travel Clinic yesterday. I got one shot in the right arm and two in the left. One for Yellow Fever, one for Hepatitis A&B and another for Tetanus and a host of other stuff. My left arm is a little sore, but otherwise I'm feeling pretty good. What's left for this month? I need to submit a request to get a police records check because I'll be volunteering with the church and working with kids. I need to apply for entry visas for Egypt and Kenya. I need to finish preparing craft kits for my team. Still need to pick up some luggage and then sit down and figure out how to fit everything in to it. Then I need to get some American cash for tipping in Egypt and Kenya, they like new unworn bills so somehow I need to get my hands on a bunch of fresh $1 bills. I have no idea how I'm gonna accomplish that.

I just received a note from the World Outreach committee at Wishing Well Acres Baptist Church to say that they will be sending a check in support of my trip. It will be welcome. It'll go a long way to covering the vaccinations and visas I require. God has certainly provided for me financially.

Praise the Lord!

Reality sets in

In less than two months I'll be boarding planes to New York then Cairo and finally Nairobi. I think reality has finally hit. I'm starting to freak out just a little. Things I'm freaking out about you ask?

1. Packing, it's not like I haven't done it before. For my 7.5 week trip to Europe I got away with a 10Kg back-pack. This time however, I'm going to experience two different climates as well as more conservative cultures. We're expected to maximize our baggage allowance so that we can pack at least a full bag's worth of supplies to be left behind with our hosts. I don't own one such a bag let alone two. The maximum sized bag we can bring on the plane must measure less that 62in (Height+Width+Depth). The second bag, could be left behind if I manage to pick one up second hand or if I can find a collapsible bag that could work too.

2. Crammed Schedule, the next month is just so packed with preparation for the trip: vaccinations, meetings, craft preparation; and business and personal engagements. I'm feeling just a little overwhelmed by it all. Thankfully my health has been cooperating, I'm just hoping with my non-stop schedule I don't leave myself open to illness.

Anyway I just needed to unload those worries, now that I've done it they don't seem all that huge. After all, I was freaked out about how I was going to afford this trip and God has certainly provided for me. I know that if I allow him to he will continue to provide for me.