Fourteen 16-gallon lidded containers teeming with household goods, clothing, books, teaching supplies, and miscellaneous packages that we are ferrying from the states to the long-term missionaries on La Gonave, are stacked in our living room. There is also exercise equipment, boxed Akea chair and cushion, and one larger container with the things that wouldn't fit into other totes.
Last night, we acquired a mosquito net (along with too many insect horror stories!) used regularly for two years on St. Lucia from a veteran Peace Corps friend, which we will tuck into a box along with the last bunch of gifts that are going from a SC grandmother to some precious grands in Haiti.
Each box has been sorted, packed, weighed and reported to MFI, the group who flies missionaries in and out of islands in the Caribbean. Content lists have been developed for our sake when unpacking and to, Lord willing, make working our way through customs at Port-au-Prince a bit smoother.
We've searched out our passports and birth certificates and have them at the ready. Making the car switch with daughter Meg today when she arrives with her Suburban into which we will load most of our wares for our year in Haiti. We'll send her off Sunday in the Prius which her family will babysit for us while we are away on this pre-service year visit.
Working on the Haitian creole. One-on-one instruction. Video instruction on line. Holding our own up to Unit 10 (out of 15) in the language program we are using. Flash cards. Practicing speaking like we know what we are talking about!
Mail and newspapers have a scheduled stop and start date. Neighbors and friends will be keeping an eye on the house. Plants have been adopted.
Ticking the items off the list.
Won't be long now...
