I'm going to Haiti!

For years now I have felt that God was calling me to participate in a medical mission trip.  Growing up my family was always involved in some kind of service work.  Whether it was serving Thanksgiving meals to strangers at our church, helping strangers repair their homes, Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes or providing Christmas presents and meals for a family less fortunate than us, my family has always looked for ways to show God's love to others.  My dad has been on countless mission trips to Bolivia and even managed to take my mom along on one of them. They usually spend most of their time helping build onto a medical center or building houses.   My sister-in-law spent a year in Russia sharing God's message.  She and my brother also traveled to Haiti to assist with a bible school for the orphans one year.  My husband and I attended one trip in 2004 to West Virginia with our church for the Appalachian Service Project.  We spent 3 days helping repair 2 different homes.  I spent the majority of my time painting, Cory was repairing a roof and digging a drainage ditch around a house.   I had always planned to go back but always found reasons that I couldn't , such as my pregnancy, having a baby, having a young child, having a back injury....something was always "in the way."  Honestly, I'm not good at repairing homes.  I don't know how to put up sheet rock or lay shingles and the thought of actually using a hammer and nail scares me just a bit.  I'm also very quiet and I have a hard time openly praying with others and evangelizing.  My family and friends are great at it but I just feel so uncomfortable with it.  I know....excuses!  Well, what I do know is how to hold some one's hand, rub a back  or give a hug to someone who it hurting.  I know how to take vitals, take a medical history and perform assessments on adults and children.  I know how to clean a wound.  I can care for those who are sick. I can educate people in order to promote a healthier lifestyle.  That I'm comfortable with.  This is my gift from God.  Because of this I decided years ago that once the opportunity presented itself to go on a medical mission trip I would jump on it.

Well, it finally happened.  Several months ago, the doctor that I work with mentioned that she was considering going on a medical mission trip with her daughter.  What a perfect opportunity!  If I went on the trip with her I would have the advantage of already knowing one of the physicians that I would be assisting.  I have worked with her as her personal nurse for 3 years now.  I know, for the most part, what she is thinking and can anticipate what she is going to need.   I told her immediately that if she did decide to go on a trip to let me know, that I was interested as well.
Shortly after that conversation, it was decided that we were going to Haiti and we settled on a date 2 weeks ago.  We will be leaving on April 5, 2015 to spend 7 days with the Mission of Hope group.  I am so excited for this opportunity.  I am also proud that I am finally answering God's call for me.  Through this blog I plan to keep my family and friends updated on the planning/preparation of the trip as well as keep you all posted while I am in Haiti.  I know so much is in store for me and I can't wait to share it with you all!