Getting Ready to Go...

I wanted to make a blog for my family and friends to keep them updated while I am in Swaziland! All of you are so important to me, so if you want to know what I am doing feel free to read this as often as you want. Also, I want to hear from you! Email! Call...maybe! I'll let you know when I know what I'll be able to use!

We should all assume that the next time you all see me I will have loin cloth tanlines and have painted on my own tribal tattoos like, "Mswati's Girl"...or some tribal slang on my arm. haha I don't want to ruin the surprise though, so what I will tell you is that I will be leaving June 23rd from Sioux Falls. I need to check into staging in Philadelphia that afternoon. Afterwards, I will official be in Swaziland the 26th doing pre-service training until the end of August. Later I will be placed somewhere in the country for the rest of the time. My title is a community health educator. From what I've gathered, I think I will do a lot of HIV/AIDS prevention and just helping out (working with clinics, schools and whoever needs help I guess). Swaziland is known for having the lowest life expectancy rate in the world (40% below average) at 39 yrs. Its hard to imagine something like this since its 2008 and still a problem. I am sure I am going to learn a lot and I hope to make a lot of Swazi friends. So they can teach me swear words in SiSwati...just kidding!!! (unless they will)

We had a graduation campfire last weekend and some of the best friends a girl could ask for were able to make it! We jumped on the trampoline, enjoyed Alex and Sieff's entertainment up on the deck, and made fun of Matt Lauterbach's leather jacket. :) A question I get a lot is if I am scared. I guess scared doesn't seem like the right word. I guess I am more sad. The main thing that is hard is thinking that if I were able to spend time with everyone that's important to me everyday until I left, it still wouldn't be enough time to satisfy me for the length of time I'll be gone. I don't want to miss out on birthdays or weddings or just normal inside jokes that happen each day. I want everyone to come with me. I don't think that's much to ask. :) Most of my joy comes from the wonderful people around me. I want to output hope and joy to the people I meet in Swaziland, but at the same time I need to make sure I am finding ways to have hope and joy inputed into me. My friends and family at home are good at supplying that for me.

One thing that makes me feel better is that I get a sense of peace when I think of how much I've grown through the past month with the thought of leaving. Just the idea of it all has challeged me. Imagine what God can do with that once I start actually doing it. So to answer the question if I am scared... I guess no. I'm a sad, yes, but that's because its difficult and aren't those the most rewarding experiences anyways?

At least I know what I need to do now to prepare myself. I will have to learn to keep myself accountable, entertain myself and stay motivated. I've always been pretty good about laughing at my own jokes. Sometimes even before I say them...so that should kill a few hours each day. :)

I was reading this book Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. He said, "We aren't supposed to expect circumstances to be easy or safe just because we pray about them. We're only supposed to go into them knowing that we'll be given what we need when we need it." I need to remind myself of that. I know for me this is not an easy experience that I am doing, but that's why i am doing it. God has been working there before I even knew these people existed (and will continue long after I leave). I wonder how I could possibly begin to help in this huge plan He has for them?

Next time I write...I may qualify as an African American. :) Maybe not, but I can pretend. (wink)