It's only July, but it feels like Advent.

We are looking forward to our month in Guadalupe with great anticipation!

As we near our departure next week, however, we are beginning to wonder if we are going to be ready. Preparations for 5 1/2 weeks in Ecuador, away from home and work and family are beginning to feel a little overwhelming.

What do we bring? We have reviewed the recommendations from Padre Jorge and staff and we have communicated with Dr. Christa Balch, who is at Guadalupe now, but we still wonder if we will have the right things. Like enough bug spray. Thankfully, no Zika. 

Is it silly to think about the right shoes?

Nurse Amanda has suggested we read up a bit about parasites. So we have. Still, when a patients walks in with parasites, will we know them when we see them?

And why does work (i.e. our work here at home) always seem to become more complicated before going away.  And this time, it has meant planning for our patents here for much longer than usual.  Stressful for them and us—and our staffs.

Just leaving home is another thing. We have a house sitter. Good. But what if something happens? How much do we worry in advance?

We have three young adult children, all with plans and projects at work, home and school over the next couple of months. Our family has always been our first priority. To be honest, we feel a little guilty leaving them this long.

And yet, we are so very much looking forward to being present to the people of Guadalupe and serving them the best we can.  This has been a calling long in the making. We pray that we will answer it well.

Advent. A time of waiting and preparation. A beginning.

Let's go!