I made it here!

Well, after a very long and eventful journey that included a stop in London to see Big Ben, the Queen's Palace, and Westminster Abby, I finally made it to South Africa! It is beautiful here- very lush, green and hilly- not at all what I expected. We live in a nice, clean house- four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a little dining room. Quite clean and comfortable. I'm sharing a room with Dara, and there is another girl named Lacey, and two guys in the house- Dustin and Callen. We live on the Africa School and Mission campus- quite safe- good locks, alarm system, and an electric fence that goes around the whole place. The fence separates us from a pond that supposedly houses a hippo. We haven't seen him yet, but we've been watching. There is a small mountain beside us, tons of beautiful flowers, HUGE hummingbirds, and some monkeys (I haven't seen them yet either, although I'm pretty sure we've heard them running on our tin roof!) We haven't needed to 'rough it' yet- there are a couple towns nearby with every western thing you could need. Today we started orientation- it went well. So far I am loving the environment, and am very impressed with the organization. Last night Jayme (Haskey) and Lynn Chotowetz had us over for a great pasta supper (candle light as the power was out). It's fun to have familiar faces here! On Thursday we will be going into a local community, and will be spending five nights there- we get split up, and paired with a local family. We will be eating what they eat, handwashing our clothes, and getting to see what life is really like out here- I'm expecting a big eyeopener! During the days we will be helping with some of the projects that are being run out here. Next time I write I should have some good stories from the community!

leaving tomorrow!

Tomorrow I'll be leaving for Africa! I fly out at 1:20pm- touching down in Toronto, London, J'burg, and eventually in Nelspruit, South Africa at noon two days later! I plan on meeting up with my friend Dara in London- It will be nice to have some company on the long flight! I'm going to miss everyone (especially my new little nephew Mason!). Please keep in touch- I love to get emails! More from Africa....

8 days and counting...

Eight days from now I'll be leaving for South Africa. My plan is to stay in South Africa for 11 weeks -training and preparing for my time in Mozambique. Once in Mozambique I will be working as a part of the footprints program (handsatwork.org) with my friend Dara doing homecare nursing, palliative care, AIDS and orphan work, and who knows what else! It's going to be quite the adventure- I'm getting really excited to go! I'll try to keep everyone updated with this blog, as I should have internet access there. More once I get to Africa...