Well, I am 6 days and counting from departure. It has been a very emotional September. Saying goodbye is hard. Everyone keeps asking how I am feeling about everything and the answer is easy - sad and excited.
Saying goodbye to close friends and my family is very painful. The days have been full of tears and emotion as I make my last rounds to see family. There have also been quiet times, lots of laughter, good conversation and times of reflection. My son, John, tells me to keep thinking about it like I am going off to college. I know there will be visits, telephone calls and email when possible and, of course, snail mail. It is really not goodbye, just so long for now.
The exciting part is that I am actually leaving. I depart from Philadelphia, then to Amsterdam and then on to Nairobi. I will not know where in Kenya my orientaiton will be held until I get to Philadephia. I will get some inoculations and basic safety training in Philadelphia for a day and half before leaving for Amsterdam.
I continue to work on the packing. My pre-departure checklist arrived from the Peace Corps and I had a new list of things I need to gather together - strange things, too, like 12 passport pictures.......and normal things as well. A good kitchen knife was on the list and one good fry pan! This weekend will be my final opportunity to actually get myself down to the 80 pounds I am allowed to take with me. Lots of clothes will have to go by the wayside. There are some basics I will find a way to cram into the 80 pounds, like 21 sets of underwear,my gore-tex rain jacket for the rainy season and some good books.
This is probably my final post until I arrive at my orientation site or maybe even later than that. Continue to pray for me as I learn the language and the culture of the people I will serve. I am absolutley sure I will be utterly and absolutuely homesick for each of you. I am also confident I will be learning and growing each day I am away. My love to you all. Email or post comments to me. I will be looking forward to them!
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3 comments:
Hi Patty,
We will be praying for you as you travel next week and begin your new adventure! I have a possible contact for you in Nairobi. Have you heard of Harmon Parker, Bridging the Gap in Africa who builds bridges there and is a missionary? Our daughter, Kelly's boyfriend and family have been to Nairobi a couple times with a program connected with BGSU. Harmon wants Justin to come there again this January and February to help set up some media technology stuff for his organization. Harmon will be speaking at the B.G.Covenant Church this Sunday at 10am and talking about his work in Kenya. Frank and I are planning to go to hear him and support Kelly and Justin who will be leading the worship music. We'd love to have you join us if you're able.
Harmon's blog address is http://www.bridgingthegapafrica.blogspot.com/
God Bless You,
Pam
Pat,
All the best as you set out next week. I'll be checking in regularly looking forward to hearing about your adventures and good works.
Ellen
Patty,
I just came across your journal about your adventures in Kenya. I added a link to your page to a database I collected of Peace Corps Journals and blogs:
Worldwide Peace Corps Blog Directory:
http://www.PeaceCorpsJournals.com/
Thanks for volunteering with the Peace Corps!
-Mike Sheppard
RPCV / The Gambia (’03-’05)
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