"....and we'll need a urine sample!"

As some of you know, I will be embarking on a huge journey this summer. And in order to keep as many of my loved ones and friends up to date on my travels and experiences I've decided to make a blog!!

I've been given the opportunity to travel to Belize in Central America to do a summer internship as a requirement for my Master of Divinity program at Wycliffe College in Toronto. I have a lot of mixed emotions about it...but I'm mostly very excited!! And am looking forward to sharing what I see, learn and feel over the next 6 months in preparation for and ministry in Belize! I've recently been informed that I will be working in the village of Mango Creek in the southern part of Belize, just inland from the coast.

Over the last couple of months I have been trying to take time out of my week to prepare myself for my travels! This has included, an 11 day orientation week organized by the Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries, reading my newly purchased Lonley Planet book on Belize, and the many articles that the wonderful librarians at the Anglican Church of Canada photocopied for me on the history of Belize, AND.......doctors appointments!! I must admit, that my doctors appointment was quite an eventful one. And I've been chuckling about it since then. What should have been an hour long appointment turned out to be closer to two and half hours. Why you ask? Well it's because I completely forgot that part of medical/physical appointments usually include urine samples. The doctor did her part of the medical, checked my ears, my eyes, my mouth, my heart, and then sent me to lab for blood work. After a quick and painless blood test, the technician kindly handed me my plastic cup and asked for a urine sample. I'm sure a look of panic came over my face, and the first words to come out of my mouth were, "Well that might take a while." It did, it's amazing how difficult it is to give urine samples when the pressure is on and you can hear other patients outside the bathroom door waiting to do their duty. I learned from that day, it's better not to make eye contact with anyone after being in the bathroom! :)

Later on that afternoon I headed back to the medical clinic at UofT for my vaccination consultation. After a four vaccinations in my left arm I left the clinic with a pile of reading about the vaccinations that I had been given, including, my personal favorite, Dr. Smith's 5 Rules of Travel. Little did I know how incredibly sore my arm was going to be later on that day from these 4 little needle pokes. (Note: got my needles last Thursday, and can finally sleep on my left side without feeling too much pain - it's Tuesday!) From there, went for a walk with my friend Katie to pick up my Malaria pills, which I found out from the Pharmacist, that there is chance of the pills playing with your mind - it's not uncommon to experience bad dreams and nightmares while taking them - quite exciting! :)

Aside from the craziness of my last couple of weeks, I continue to be reminded of the presence of God in my life as I prepare and pray for the country and people of Belize, and as I am in contact with others who have had the opportunity to travel there. I can't help but feel excited to have the opportunity to minister and worship with the community in Mango Creek, Belize and to be witness the the work of the Holy Spirit in their life and culture!

I ask for your continued prayers for the people of Belize, and for myself as we prepare to work, pray, laugh, worship, and proclaim the good news of God together this summer!!

peace,
Chelsy