great question!

okay so Angie wins the prize for the best question so far!

"I had someone ask me about issues with head lice while we are over there. Did you have any problems while you were there? I looked online and found some natural preventative shampoos and I am wondering if I need to get some!"

that is a tough one. :)

i personally did not have a problem with this. i stayed in some really nice places AND some not very nice places. at the not very nice place, my friend got some "bites" that to me, looked like bed bug bites. AND, i was not staying in Ambo but stayed in Addis the whole time. that being said, i think if you want to take precautions, bring the shampoo and pack your OWN pillowcases. i was planning on bringing my own pillowcase and forgot to put that on the packing list, so i will add it now!

we will also likely bring a couple of lice treatment kits just in case. keep in mind we will be loving on these kids and lice in orphanges is VERY common. the orphanage we are working in is cleaner than alot of them, but i think there is still a chance it could happen. i know when we traveled to pick up Eden, they told us to expect her to have lice and bring the treatment just in case. she didn't have lice (they shaved her head), so we just donated the treatment to the orphanage. ...



"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:37-40)

i know you guys get it. you know that Jesus means business--that we OUGHT to DO something!

while i was gone last summer, my husband blogged in my abscence. i only just this week had time to go back and read some of his blogs. they were pretty good. i loved this one and this one.

packing list (will continually update this post)

ok, so this post will be our "packing list" post. i will just keep adding onto it as i (and you) think of things so keep checking back to this post!

Sonia had this to say:
"are showers going to be scarce? You will have a shower in your hotel at both Addis and Ambo so you should be good to go!
Also you can get "travel underwear" at the Basecamp which are quick drying."


you neeeeed to bring a light rain jacket (i am bringing the one i backpack with-really lightweight)
shoes that willllll get very muddy
a very good flashlight (power in ET can be unpredictable)
i am also going to bring an itty bitty book light to read at night
i always travel with flip flops for bathrooms (even in hotels)
LOTS of Purell and antibacterial wipes
i brought Vick's Early Defense Foaming Hand Sanitizer (it lasts 3 hours)
toilet paper
ladies: menstrual supplies are scarce and of poor quality in ET--do not plan on buying them in ET
ear plugs: Addis is loud, hotel walls are thin, there is call to prayer, etc.....
lots of books, games, cards: there are no televisions in our hotels
bandaids (Bonnie says the fabric ones are best)
Neosporin
clothes you don't mind getting very dirty and are able to rinse out in the sink...
nuts, trail mix, protein bars and lots of your favorite snacks
your own pillowcase (just to be safe)





"Intentions are wonderful things. They are the starting points, the defining moments of our lives. But in and of themselves, intentions are wholly inadequate. As a Christ follower, it’s easy to mistake intention for action and stirrings for solutions. I sometimes give myself credit for being a pretty remarkable human being just because I feel angry about injustice, pain over suffering, or empathy in the face of hurt. But even the strength of my intentions is not an accurate indicator of whether or not I will take the time to act, to put faith to work, to be the difference that Christ has empowered me to be. Defining moments are only as good as the lifestyles they translate into."
Nancy Ortberg

meds

Amber brought up something in the meeting: Bring Cipro!



i already visited my doctor and have all my meds ready to go. this is what i am bringing:



Mefloquine

Cephalexin

Cipro

and a sedative for the long plane ride. (of course that is up to you, but i need one)



in addition, i will bring for sure Immodium, Advil, Aspirin, Tylenol, Sudafed, Mucinex, and Airborne

"I am the world's light." John 8:12