Anticipation...

I hung all my clothes for Africa on the deck 

and sprayed them with permethrin.

This will keep the mosquitoes away,

I hope.

I washed my rain pants and gore tex jacket

 in the water proofing wash, 

hung them outside and sprayed them with more water proofing, 

then threw them in the dryer to finish the process.

I'm packing for hot equatorial sunshine 

and cold winter snowy mountain weather.

I'll be serving in city slums;

air thick with diesel, 

raw sewage 

and rotting garbage.

I'll be hiking through

open cypress plantations,

heather,

 up the snowy glacier,

and down through lush jungle. 

I checked over my packing list for both adventures.

I spoke with a team member who dropped out due to health issues, 

promising to use her Bible Studies with the young women 

if the opportunity presents itself.

I rolled up my clothes stuffing them in large Ziploc bags,

squeezing out all the air sealing them tight.

I organized all my pills:

vitamins,

sleeping pills,

melatonin,

benadryl,

Diamox,

Chinese Herbs/malaria meds,

Cipro,

acidophilus.

Plus:

lemon & eucalyptus spray,

my Go Girl,

Toothy Tabs,

Diva Cup

and adapter,

chargers,

go pro 

and extra batteries,

comb, 

mirror,

sunscreen.

I'm packing a large duffle bag 

full of books, 

flat soccer balls,

soccer cleats,

small gifts 

to leave with the Ugandan staff

and a few extra climbing clothing

for the porters in Tanzania.

I took off my diamond wedding ring,

leaving my mother's band on,

and put on my small silver hoop earrings.

I leave one week from today.

I'm getting excited.

Anticipation...