Lesson #5: Packing for Haiti is interesting!

Well, Haiti is 2 days away and I cannot wait!  It's one of those things that doesn't feel real until it happens and it is in your face... So it hasn't FULLY hit me quite yet!  (I felt the same way about my wedding, I didn't realize it was actually going to happen until I was standing behind a line of bridesmaids in my wedding dress, my dad had to do some breathing excersises with me...)

Anyway, the packing has been going on for about a week now but tonight we actually put everything into bags!  My comment to Matthew was, "I have never packed like this before."  Let me give you a list of some odd items that I have in my backpack:

• Toilet paper minus the cardboard center, squished to fit into a ziploc baggie.
• Reasoning: Not all public bathrooms have toilet paper.
• Waterproofing materials.
• Reasoning: There is a chance that we will be traveling in an open truck.  There is also a chance it will be raining.
• Money divided into small amounts inside envelopes, strictly small bills.
• Reasoning: Carrying large bills or a large amount of bills can put you in danger.
• Disposable cameras.
• Reasoning: Wouldn't want to lose/break my nice camera.  This really isn't that weird, but I was just in shock!  I didn't know they still existed!  Did you?
• NOT PACKING: Wedding bands.
• Reasoning: Showing signs of wealth can put you in danger.
• Yes, this makes me very sad.

That is all the physical stuff.  But emotionally, I have packed some odd stuff as well.  I am very excited, but also very nervous at the same time.  I have only been out of the country once, in the Bahamas for my honeymoon less than a month ago.  I feel it didn't really count... So I think I can say I have never been out of the country, really.

I have tried to emotionally prepare for the poverty I will see.  Looking at pictures of others who have traveled there breaks my heart, seeing them in real life... I cannot imagine.  I am "packing" courage, more courage than I have ever felt I have needed.  Courage to see God in all of the people and the condition they are in.  Courage to love people who are different than me.  Courage to be open to a new life that is different than mine.  Courage to be myself in a different culture.

I have attempted to prepare to have strength, more strength than I have ever felt I have needed.  Physical strength to do the physical labor that is demanded of me everyday, all day in the heat of Haiti.  Emotional strength to lead a team of others through the week and to help them have strength as well.  Mental strength to keep myself together and to remember that even if the week does not go as I have planned, it is exactly what God has planned.

Compassion is something I am packing in the "handle with care" section.  Compassion is something that I try to be careful with.  I want to have compassion, I want to show others that I care.  But, I also do not want to be condescending.  I do not want to force my beliefs and ways on the people I meet.  I do not want to only "do for," I want to teach and discuss and help and learn from.  I need to remember that compassion is something from the heart and that pure love is the only way pure compassion can happen.

Lastly, I am packing flexibility.  My "go with the flow" attitude.  Flights may be delayed, schedules may be flipped upside down, food may be different, jobs may be difficult, it may rain on our heads all day.  I need to be ready for anything and respond with a smile.

NOT PACKING:
Control.  I do not have control over this week.  I do not want control over this week.  I want to hand it over to God and say, what happens is up to you.  I trust You, fully and completely.  I need to let go and let God.

Well, my packing list has lots of check marks beside it and the bags are looking full!  Sorry no pictures today, I didn't figure you'd want a pic of my red suitcase.  It's pretty standard if you'd like to imagine. (:

I hope to post one more time before we leave, but if not... I hope you all have amazing weeks learning lessons wherever you are, whether it is at home or out of the country.