Time flies!

The countdown is on... somewhere around 100 hours left before I hit the skies and head to Africa! WOW!
It's been a long past few days. Thursday it actually hit me-- what I signed on for-- and I didn't handle it well... I was crying, dropping things and not able to concentrate. But things got better Friday and my parents and sister arrived to hang out for a few days.
I realized Wednesday that the packages I ordered to give as gifts to the girls and other folks wouldn't make it to me in time. I ordered them in plenty of time but as of Wednesday, the day they were to be delivered, I was having my mail forwarded to my parents. But miracle of miracles, one of the boxes was delivered a few days ago to my building but put in front of the wrong door... so Friday the box made it to me, I can not explain how happy I am about that! The other box won't make it in time but no worries, I'll hit up a Christian bookstore and get what I need. Thank you God for answered prayers!!!!
It's amazing that so many things have fallen in to place and happened just perfectly and right on time. I truly believe that God has ordained this trip. I may or may not find out why God is sending me to this place at this time... but it's for God and God's glory, not mine, so I don't need to know if I'm not supposed to.
I ask that you continue to pray for me, this trip, the orphanage and my family as this adventure gets closer.
Have a blessed and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!
God's Peace,
Rachel

Two Weeks!!!

Wow! Just finished the amazing adventure of getting Meagan and Craig hitched with some of my bestest friends! Now it's time to move on to the next adventure! I leave for the Congo TWO WEEKS from tomorrow... WOW! So here are some updates:

• I have all of my immunizations. I have also ordered Malarone from my pharmacy and will begin taking that right before I leave for my trip. (It's an anti-Malaria drug.) I also have my last doctor appt today to make sure I'm all set to go. I'll get a few prescriptions to fill so that I can take meds with me to self medicate...
• I have continued to be in touch with the orphanage and folks who are in that area or have been there...
• I will be doing some shopping today to load up on supplies (contact solution, shampoo, etc.)
• I will be ordering gifts to take to all the girls at the orphanage and will continue to pray for all of them (and I hope you will continue to pray for them too!)
• My flight leaves June 1st from Dulles. My sister will come visit a few days before I leave, not sure if my bro-in-law can make it but hopefully! My parents will come visit the weekend before I leave then Mom will drive my car down to her place and take Malachi with her... I'm sure that'll be an adventure for her!
• I rec'd my Visa so getting into the Congo should be okay... (prayers!)
• I've been told that someone will meet me at the airport when I arrive in Lubumbashi on June 3rd.

I'm very nervous and excited but also very at peace. God doesn't cease to amaze me and I look forward to serving God and others this summer!! Please continue to pray for me, those who I'll serving and the family and friends who I'll be missing for three months...
Love to all,
Rachel

(ps- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!)

Moving along!

Finally! I've been working to get this updated for a while now and as soon as I sit down and think about what I'm going to write, something else happens that I'll want to add and I totally get lost thinking about other things regarding the trip :)
So here are some updates, in bullet form because it's easiest. Things are happening so quickly now that by the time you read this I might have rec'd more info...

- I have been in touch with a travel agent who (I believe) is a former UMVIM coordinator in another Jurisdiction. She was also the woman who conducted my phone interview. (Her name is Jan.) She has just returned from Lubumbashi and said that she had a nice (but busy) trip. She is booking all my flights for me and right now I'm looking at about $1700-1800 round trip. (Yes, I really need to dig into my fund-raising!) I'll leave on June 1st and return on August 28th if everything goes through. I will fly to London, then Nairobi, then on to Lubumbashi... the same for the return trip except that I'm going to stay in London for about 4 days. (I'm saving up to treat myself to this small vacation, this will not be paid for with any money from my fundraising.) I've been to the UK before and look forward to going back and visiting some places I saw during my trip five years ago and also to seeing some new sites! I ran out of a perfume I got in Bath and am hoping maybe I can find some more!! :-D

- I have heard from a few folks at the Jamaa Letu orphanage (their Director is actually in the US right now I believe) and I should be receiving my official invitation letter in the next week or so via email... which their embassy will accept, so that I can get my visa. (Which will cost at least $250... Yes, I really need to dig into my fund-raising)

- I have been in touch with some other young women who recently volunteered near the orphanage where I'll be and/or actually lived there! This has been so helpful! They'll been answering all kinds of questions for me and I'm sooooo grateful!!!

- I found the blog of a young man from the UK who lives in Lubumbashi and have sent him many questions regarding the area. His answers have also been very helpful!!

- I have more details about the location of the orphanage, the water and power situation, food, etc.

-I have started a registry on REI.com to help get some supplies I'll need. Just use my name to search for it if you'd like to help in that way. Feel free to stick a note with and/or in whatever you purchase. It will be a special treat to read notes from home while I'm away for three months.

-I am almost done being a pin cushion. Most of my shots are finished... just one or two more to go. I have a prescription for my anti-malaria meds (fun... blah) and will get that filled soon.

Well, those are some updates... please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer them :) I'm enjoying preparing for this adventure God is allowing me to be a part of and can't wait to get to Lubumbashi!

Your sister in Christ,
Rachel

Hey friends,
Sorry this hasn't been updated recently... I've been waiting for some info and have finally rec'd it!! I'll update this ASAP!!! :-D
Thanks for your prayers!
Love,
Rachel

Hurry up and wait...

I hope everyone had a beautiful and blessed Easter!!! I had a totally awesome time with my parents visiting the Cherry Blossom Festival, Middleburg, and checking out some local wineries...

So yes, I'm getting very anxious about my trip since I hope to leave near the end of May or beginning of June and it's already April!! However, here's what I do know so far... the folks my application was sent to are actually not the correct folks, so my application has now been sent to the correct place. A couple weeks ago I spoke with Jan Kaiser who called to interview me for TESOL but realized that's not what I was looking into and we talked about Jamaa Letu Orphanage which is where I really would love to go. I just got an email today that Jan is actually on her way to the Congo now and will talk to Francine (who I believe gives the okay for volunteers) while she's there and HOPEFULLY I'll know something soon. God has taught me over time that when I wait for God to work things out instead of pushing ahead without God that amazing things can happen. However, I don't believe prayers can hurt anything too badly so please pray that I'll hear something very soon so I can dig into fundraising and preparing for my trip!!


Many blessings!
Jesus loves you!

Rachel