This.Is.It.
Our hearts have been ready for a long time, and the physical preparations are just about done.
Suitcases are (mostly) packed. :)
I am Hepatitis A - Tyhpoid - Malaria vaccinated.
Mosquito net, air mattress, battery powered fan (with LOTS of extra batteries) and loads of coloring books, stickers, play-doh, and other crafty things are ready to go!
Excitement abounds!
At 11:55pm (pacific time), I'll be boarding a Seattle plane headed for Atlanta and then we are Haiti bound!
**side note: We received a FREE first class ticket upgrade for our entire flight to Haiti and back! Say what?!?
If that's not a grace filled, mercy loaded wink from heaven, I don't know what is!
Before I head out, I wanted to share a bit with you about this upcoming adventure and also tell you about how you can pray for us and follow us online.
--Who's going??
Tifaney, Anndi, Jenna, Mariann, Tanna, Terra, and myself - we make up a small army of seven :)
--What will you be doing??
Honestly, loving on people.
But specifically, we will be doing quite a few things in the community.
Our mornings will be spent going door to door in Jacmel to find out what prayer needs people have and praying with them if they will allow us to. We will also be participating in a service project for a local church by helping them paint some interior rooms to possibly help the church establish a school.
Then, after lunch, we will be putting on a vbs for the children in the community - you can pray specifically for Mariann, Jenna, & myself as we teach these children about a few important fruits of the spirit!
We will daily visit an orphanage where we will also be helping out with a vbs and just spending some time loving on kids!
We'll also be active in helping with other kids ministries though I don't have a lot of details on that just yet. But I know it will be amazing!
--How long will you be there?
We will leave tonight and return next Friday night, so basically seven days, six nights.
--Where exactly will you be again?
We are flying into Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince and then traveling south to the city of Jacmel, the country's fourth largest city and home to thousands of orphans.
--Are you nervous?
Um...yes...wouldn't you be?? :)
--How can I pray for you??
Of course we have lots of prayer needs!
Here are some specific things you can pray for us each day this week:
-for health and safety of our team
A lot of sickness can be due to overheating and coming into contact with contaminated food/water - we need protection from this especially!
-for the people in the community of Jacmel to be open and receptive to our mission (and ultimately, to our Savior's love)
-for our team to have open minds and hearts to let the Lord work in us and through us
-for the families that we're all leaving behind for a week - it's never easy to be away from your loved ones
--Will you be able to communicate with your stateside friends and family?
Yes! I can receive text messages at no charge and have purchased a small global text messaging package so that I can send them as well. Those are reserved for my two favorite people, Derek and my Moma, ha!
But I'd love to read your text messages if you feel compelled to send one! :)
Also, you can keep up with our group online by visiting the following website:
http://www.prayingpelicanmisisons.org/journals
Just click on the "Sunbreak Church" link and our trip leader will be posting our daily adventures!
Also, if I have any particularly thrilling news or pictures, I'll text them to Derek, and he can upload them to facebook and tag me so you can see.
--Lastly, why are you doing this?
That's the easiest question of all...
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world,
Red & yellow, black & white,
They are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
love,
alissa
