Starting to panic just a little

So with each big event that plan, I realize more and more that I am not gifted with planning. 3 days until departure and it seems like so many plans are up in the air. Right now I'm so frustrated with communication to my friends and contacts in Haiti. Anytime I use SKYPE to call, I burn through my money because so much time is lost with two of us trying to talk at the same time, not understanding what the other person is trying to say, dogs barking in the background (haiti) and planes hovering over my house all calls for a reicipe for disaster when trying to communicate with someone who speaks English as a second language. And then there's the internet. First of all, I'm one of the freaks who still doesn't have internet at their house so I'm always mooching off the neighbors or my brother or racing to the library to check my email. And then in Haiti their "internet cafes" (which I'm just dying to see what these look like..) are all far away and internet and electricity isn't always dependable. So needless to say, it takes a ton of persistance to get things figured out.

I'm still doing not very smart last minute errands, such as my shots that I need, finding a large enough suitcase for all of the supplies I need to bring down, figuring out the rules of customs for entering Haiti with all our meds, and well I guess that sums up some of the craziness.

Last night I was full of anxiety about the trip. I was up until 3am worrying myself silly. I tried praying for God to take it away from me, but each time I started praying about the things that worry me, my mind would think of more things to worry about and I'd be completely distracted from my prayer...



On a brighter note, today I went to an event at my mom's church (urban refuge) and it was packing food for Haiti. It made me so excited to see all of these meals that were going to make it to the schools in Haiti. A man spoke who opened up 17 schools throughout Haiti. I had a chance to meet with him and talk about my trip. He showed me the website for his organization and gave me some contact information for a midwife and a surgeon who might be able to help connect me with more ways to volunteer in Haiti. This was a mood lifter. He also showed me some of his pictures of the kids at his schools. Did I mention yet that I love black people? AH! the kids were sooo beautiful. It was good to feel excited about the trip again. The planning parts stinks a little, but it will all be worth it once I get there. I remember my first day in Haiti when I went in July. My friend Shirley looked at me and said, "Lisa, you are so happy to be in Haiti" There is no hiding my emotions. I love this country. So although communication from USA to Haiti can make me want to rip my hair out, and even though plans change last minute, I will still make it to Haiti and I will serve God and the people of Haiti. And I'm going to LOVE it.