ready...

Tomorrow we leave for the beginning of this new adventure!  Today, a commissioning service was held for our team, where we were each anointed with oil, participated in communion, and prayed for.  My bags are packed, I've said all my goodbye's and.... I am ready to go!  We found out yesterday that our flight is the second longest-- 16 1/2 hours!!  I'm dreading it, but hoping some serious dramamine or benadryl will help ease the pain of being couped up for so long! 

For the length of our trip, internet access is iffy.  Even in some of the larger cities, you can't guarantee anything! But, my hope is to be able to write about once a week to keep everyone informed and updated on where I am and what we are doing.

This is our VERY tentative itinerary: 
                September 8 / Depart Indianapolis
                September 9 / Arrive in Lusaka
                September 9 - 11 / Lusaka
                September 14 - 17 / Chikankata Salvation Army Hospital
                September 18 - October 2 / Choma (World Hope)
                October 3 - 21 / Macha Malaria Institute and Hospital
                October 22 - 25 / Choma
                October 26 - November 5 / Zimba Mission Hospital and Namwianga Orphanage
                November 6 - 18 / Choma
                November 19 - 21 / Livingstone
                November 21 / Depart from Livingstone
                November 22 / Arrive home!
               
Our clinical sites will be in at least one hospital, a Malaria clinic, an orphanage (which I am most excited about!),  an immunization clinic, and house visits out in the communities.  We have been told to expect working with many children.  Life expectancy is right at 40 years of age for Zambians, with HIV/AIDS and malaria being extremely common.  Because of this, there are so many more children than adults, most of whom are orphans.  It seems natural to feel sorry for them, however, we have been cautioned not to pity them.  We are to offer hope, intstill dreams, and have fun getting to know these people and their culture!  I am so excited to spend time immersing myself in this here!