Getting the details

We are gradually nailing down the details of our trip.  Surprisingly, there aren't a ton of planes flying into Port-au-Prince daily, so we are going to spend a good day (at least) traveling.  We are debating whether we should leave Denver early Friday (Oct 1) and get to Miami at 2pm or take a later flight and go through Dallas to get to Miami around 8pm. Our flight to Haiti doesn't leave until 5 am on Sat morning, so we may try to stuff a bunch of us into a hotel room so we can get a somewhat decent night's sleep until the real journey begins.  I'm a little bummed about the trip beginning a little sooner than we expected, because Oct 1st is Jace's 3rd birthday.  However, every time I  look at him, I feel completely blessed that he (and the rest of our family) has so much to be grateful for, and that only drives my desire to complete this mission. 

One of my mission mates, Ashley, has been on numerous trips to Haiti through Red Rocks Church. She sent me slideshows from both her 2009 and 2010 trips.  Her pictures were amazing and only intensified all of my feelings towards this trip.  Her pictures show something that most of us can only imagine and to know that I will be THERE, taking similar pictures myself, in a month can be somewhat of an overwhelming thought. Luckily, I have so much to do, I don't have time to think about it!

We are starting to narrow down our supply list for the clinics we are visiting.  Zander's second grade class has taken up a collection for children's flip flops, soccer balls, colors and coloring books.  It's really exciting to see him get the "mission bug" and inspire his classmates to donate to the cause. 

We have decided to ask for help collecting over the counter medications, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofin.  We are also hoping to get some antibacterial ointment, fun bandaids, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, oral care stuff and q-tips...just for starters.  

My fundraising is going well and I cannot even begin to express my appreciation! 

I still have seats on my casino bus for Sept 18th.  If you mention, this blog, I'll drop your ticket price to $15!!!!  So grab your friend, your gaming card, and your lucky rabbit's foot and come along!

Thanks for reading!

Courtney

Photos from Sara's Trip.

I "stole" these photos from my Sara's blog. It's hard to imagine living a life this way- and these were all taken before the quake. I am counting down the days until I can add my own photos!

How can YOU help?

This trip is not a solo mission by any stretch of the imagination! I need your help to make the most out of this outreach experience! Here's how you can help:

I have set a fundraising goal of $1,500. You can contribute in a couple of ways:

• Join me for a bus trip up to Fortune Valley Casino on Sat, Sept 18 at 6 pm. We will be leaving from the Englewood Walmart parking lot. For $20, you get free transportation to Fortune Valley, free drinks while gaming, and $5 in coin! Not to mention---100% of the bus fee goes to the Haiti Mission!
• I am also accepting financial donations made to Red Rocks Church- with "Eggers-Haiti" in the memo line. You can hand me a check or mail it to me!

Our group is also taking much needed supplies. Currently we need:

• medical supplies
• soccer balls
• children's shoes
• school supplies

Finally, I think I need some help with my own wardrobe! If you have any culturally appropriate skirts (light weight -it's gonna be HOT) I will be happy to take them off your hands!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog--your support makes this giant step out of my comfort zone much easier!

Did you know?

As I prepare for our mission trip, I'm doing some research and learning more about the culture, people and environment of Haiti. Here are some quick-read stats and bullet points...

• Haiti's religion is voodoo.

• 10% of the child population in Haiti will die before the age of 4.

• Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

• 7% (337,000) of the children in Haiti are enslaved. They are as young as 3 years old. They often suffer sexual, emotional, physical abuse.

• $25 can feed more than 70 starving people,

• The language of the Haiti people is Creole.

• 45% of the Haitian population is illiterate.

• $50 can provide medical care for more than seven people.

• 70% of the population lives below poverty level.

• $100 or more can provide an abandoned child with a bed, food and medical treatment for almost a month.

I have committed!

I am thrilled to announce that I have decided to act on the nagging feeling that has been weighing in my heart for months---I will be joining a medical mission outreach to Haiti in just a matter of weeks!

This journey started a year ago when our next door neighbors, Sean and Sara, embarked on their personal journey to Haiti. Hearing their stories and seeing their pictures sparked my interest in helping out the poorest country in the western hemisphere. A few months later, as we all know, Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake. As the media continued to portray the unbearable images from the disaster, I could no longer ignore my personal desire to help. For the last year, everything in my being has been telling me to do whatever it takes to get there and offer my assistance.

Earlier this week, my prayers were answered when I committed to joining a mission team through Red Rocks Community Church going to Haiti on Oct 3. Our plans are still somewhat tentative, but we do know that we will be doing about 3 medical outreaches in Haiti. We will be visiting an orphanage set up by Dayspring Ministries, the group helping oversee this mission. We may also be visiting remote villages (by way of a treacherous 4x4 trek) and helping in tent cities. We will also be bringing supplies-anything from medical necessities to soccer balls to children shoes.

I can't believe I leave in about 6 weeks! A year ago, this was nothing but a dream that I might act on when it was convenient. Today, I am weeks away from stepping completely out of my comfort zone into a life that only exist on the nightly news for most of us. I am anxious, intimidated and beyond excited. Please pray for me as I embark on this journey.