How Did I Get Here?

So last year my church, Christian Church of Clarendon Hills, showed a video about their 2009 mission trip to The D.R. It made me cry, which, as my kids will tell you, is not very difficult. But as my husband and I drove home from church that morning I informed him that I wanted to go on the next trip.

And so here I am.

Looking forward to 19 days from now (!) when I will be arriving at my church parking lot, delivered by my hubby, at 2:45 a.m.

I am excited. I am nervous. I am humbled. I am hoping to share the experience with anyone who is interested enough to read my ramblings. I don't yet know if I'll be able to blog while I'm there...but I am working on finding out.

Here are a few facts I know...

~Batey Nueve is our destination...Sugar Worker's Town #9...the Bateyes are the poorest areas of the D.R.
~Our trip goes from Tuesday to Tuesday, coordinated through G.O. Ministries
~Mission focus is medical, children's ministry, church construction
~57 people in our group, more than double their largest team so far!
~2 bags per person, 50# each allowed. One will be our belongings, one will be medicines, donated items, etc.
~$1,500.00 per person is the fee...some folks receive donations from friends or family who believe in the trip but maybe can't go themselves.
~There are rules and regulations as to appropriate attire for women...in the expected heat, I will definitely miss my spaghetti strap tops!
~Women & men of the team will sleep in separate dorms...nights are noisy in the neighborhood...earplugs a must!

Preparation has so far been getting first two shots for Hepatitis B, buying my over the bed mosquito netting,leather work gloves, powerful sunblock and bug repellant, shopping for light weight, loose, Salvation Army store shorts and tops.

I know I need to get more serious with beginning to stack and pack, but until the calendar said July 1, I didn't feel like it was imminent...now I know differently!