Haiti....it's all I think about these days (and nights)

I'm cross posting from my other blog. It's what's on my mind today.

Wow!

Four days and I will be on my way.

I have begun packing my personal belongings and I'm proud to say that I think everything is going to fit in my small carry on suitcase. Packing the supplies that have been donated is another story. My office has been taken over and I don't know where to begin. Susan and Nancy are coming over Tuesday night and we will figure it all out.

I am so proud to say that I have raised $1165 in donations. I feel so grateful that my friends and family have shown so much support for a cause that I believe in. I do not have adequate words to express my feelings. So thank you!

I have been having some crazy dreams. They usually involve missing a flight or a bus, figuring out language or travel barriers, being late...the usual stress dream. Last night's was the best...I forgot to bring my camera so I was driving around Haiti trying to find a store that would likely speak English and sell cameras for a decent price. I found a camera but it cost $116 dollars and I thought that was way too much money. I was trying to figure out if the price was in US dollars or Haitian dollars. I then decided to try another store to compare prices (oh, my! This is sooo me.). I was then thinking about how ridiculous it was that I was even considering not buying a camera because of the cost, because how could I be in Haiti without a camera?

These dreams explain my extreme fatigue today! Melatonin tonight and hopefully a good night's rest. This week it is on to last minute details and crossing things off of my to-do list.

I've become overwhelmed by the Haitian Creole language tapes and have taken a break. I'm trying to decide if I should carry on, or just start over and get the basics down again. Any suggestions?

Thanks again my dear friends! I feel your love!

In spite of kicking butt on my to-do list, I am feeling very anxious today. I found out this morning that the group of naturopathic students I was planning to meet up with in the Dominican Republic are NOT flying into the same city as me, so I will be alone getting from Santiago, DR to Cap Haitien, Haiti. This has me completely freaked out.

I have the website for the bus line I need to take, but of course it's all in spanish. Lucky for me I have a native spanish speaking person living with me. But even he could not figure out if/where/when there is a bus from Santiago to Cap Haitien like I was told. I don't think I will be able to breath from now until then unless I know for sure. There is no way I can fly into a foreign country without a step by step plan of what I'm going to do and how.

I confirmed my flight last night. I will fly from here to New York on the red eye Thursday the 24th. Then from NY to Santiago Friday morning. I am flying standby with a family pass on Jet Blue. At this point there are plenty of seats available on both flights, so unless something changes in the next 10 days I should arrive on schedule. I will probably stay at a nice hotel that I was told about. Again, I need my husband to look at the web site and help me make a reservation.

But I seriously need to get this bus thing figured out or I think I might have a little break down!

I'm going to Haiti.

Freaking out!!

And Excited!!

It looks like I'm going to Haiti the end of March. 

I've got connections with family to get an airline ticket. 

I'll be going with a friend. 

And I'll be there for two weeks. 

I'm hoping for safe travels,

many births,

ease of communication,

growth 

and

compassion.

I will keep you posted!

Going to Haiti

It's crazy to think I was scheduled to be in Haiti this week! I would have missed the one spectacular weekend of Sun we've had in a long time. I would have missed all this rain! I would have missed my daughter's 8th grade graduation.

The decision to not go at this time was the right one, even though the journey to make that decision was difficult. I am glad I waited. I needed to put myself first and get my body in order. Things are progressing there. I am happy with my new naturopath and the plan of action we have.

I created a new blog that will be dedicated to midwifery and traveling to Haiti. I'm still working on it but check back and hopefully as things get closer I will be posting more information. Keep the people of Haiti in your prayers!

I'm going to Haiti!

I've heard back from Midwives for Haiti and they have schedule me to be there from June 12-19th. When I received the email confirmation I was terrified. But this is what I want and know that I will be prepared by the time I leave. I am fortunate that several of my friends and colleagues are going before me. I will be able to glean so much information from them. I also have the benefit of time to plan, prepare and raise the funds.

I do not want to travel alone. There are several other midwives who are also trying to leave in June, so my prayer is that we will be able to travel together. I will be relying on much prayer and faith as I prepare for this trip. I humbly ask that you will not only pray for the people of Haiti, but that my travels will be for a good purpose and I will be able to raise the funds and supplies needed for them.