Getting Ready To Go

Alright so as a side note for everyone that is following me on my journey through Africa, I am a rambler. So bear with me because my thoughts might be a bit scattered and a somewhat on the lengthy side as I write in this blog.

I can't believe I am leaving for Africa in just two days! This semester of planning has just flown by! Tomorrow will be my last day in good old Charlotte before hopping a plane (or planes I guess I should say) for Uganda. The whole thing is definitely still surreal. I keep wondering when the realization of all of this will finally hit me. I am a little bit nervous, but my excitement far outweighs any fears or concerns that I may have. I have complete faith that the Lord has it all under control.

Last night the Wekesa family came over for dinner. There is Candy, her husband, and their two amazing daughters. Candy is the woman that my mom and I met in, are you ready for this, at the Harris Teeter by my house in Charlotte.

As it turned out, Candy has 4 siblings who live in Kampala, Uganda and an uncle and aunt who live in Nairobi, Kenya. I have been blessed with the opportunity to live with Candy's eldest sister, Emily, while working in Mulago Hospital. I will also be living with her uncle and aunt when I travel to Nairobi. I am a little nervous about meeting all of Candy's family and friends but I have a total peace of mind about living with them and traveling with them, especially if they are as kind and loving as Candy and her family!

Packing for this trip has been crazy! I don't know if I am over-packed or if I didn't pack enough. For those of you that know my mom well, she tends to lean a little bit more on the worrying side, (I love you mom!), so my pile of things to take seems to be multiplying as my my moms worries increase. I guess it's better to be safe then sorry. I snapped a quick picture of my packing in progress to give you guys a better idea.

I got toilet paper, anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, wipes, ziplock bags, a mosquito net, sun screen, insect repellent, a flashlight, a water filter, protein bars, gum, gloves, medications galore, a sleeping bag, scrubs, etc. etc. The list goes on! I guess it's kind of humorous because I wanted to pack lightly for this trip and I seem to be doing quite the opposite. And yet, I am sure I will still find I am missing something very much needed once I get there.

Alright, I do believe it is time for me to wrap it up! Word on the street is that they have a good many internet cafes in Kampala so hopefully I will not have a problem updating this page!