Now that the Mission of Mercy trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic has been cleared for take-off, it's time to get ready for the trip - which, for me, includes; getting passport pictures, filling out an application to get a passport, set an appointment to get the passport, get medical advice concerning any shots or medicine needed before/during the trip... I think that's about it.. other than getting over a fear of flying and getting over my problem with motion sickness (carsick, airsick, seasick)...

I'm happy to report that I've pretty much taken care of most of the above. At the time of this posting; I have already gotten my Passport pictures (you have to have two of them). I got mine at Walmart for ten bucks. Called the passport office; waited half a day on hold to get an appointment for Friday, April 16th. It was that or take my chances at getting in front of someone during their "Walk-In" time -- 9am-10am Mon-Fri... Yeh, good luck with that. I have an appointment.

My insurance was verified in that I went to the Doctor's office; was told to contact the Health Department to see what, if any, medicine(s) or shots I may need before embarking down south. I guess my insurance is up to date - they took my $50. co-pay; required by my insurance carrier. (Yeh, "Call the Health Dept.; that'll be 50 bucks. Have a nice day.) When I asked the doctor about motion sickness, he told me to just go to sleep. That way if anything happened, I wouldn't know about it. So, I might do that... in the meantime, too... I'm drinking ginger tea and plan to stock up on Bonine (like Dramamine's big brother)... and plenty of prayer! :)

By the way, turns out Dominican Republic/Haiti is a haven for Malaria - so now I need to go back to my doctor, and determine which of 5 medicines is right for me to take (per advice of the Health Department)... hopefully the doctor will be able to write the perscription during the same visit.

For now, that's sort-of it... I have a few Spanish/English phrase books - trying to brush up on my Espangol... I have my passport meeting this Friday and should actually have my passport early June (my info has to go to Washington; then they send my passport to me). My boss suggested I go to one of the military stores to get some bug lotion - otherwise; long sleeves and long pants and 100 humid degrees... I'm getting some lotion... and awaiting our Orientation meeting with Mission of Mercy coming up anytime now.

I'll be posting updates from time to time. This is my first time on a Mission's trip and I'm very excited despite my fears. I truly am trusting in the Lord to take care of those for me - somehow; I know he will. Talk with ya's soon! MG