My first week

Hello everyone! I have survived my first week of DTS!! It has definitely been an adjustment, but I feel settled in loving it. Swaziland has such a slow, laid back pace. It's easy to fall in love with the place. And the people are so incredibly friendly and helpful.

There are a total of 7 students in DTS: 2 Americans (including myself), 1 Botswanan, 1 Ugandan and 3 Swazis. Quite the mix of cultures. The food has been good. I think my favorite thing they have here is called pap (pronounced "pop"). It's the staple food and is basically cornmeal. But I can't get enough of the stuff. :)

It's quite interesting bathing here. This is running water and showers, but no hot water. So I can either take cold showers or boil water and bathe out of a bucket. It's actually quite fun. I know, I'm weird. But there is something that feels good about conserving water. I mean, I literally bathe in about 5 liters of water a day. It's so cool.

I found a couple running partners here, which has helped to keep me sane. But oh man, it is ALL hills here. I think by the time I get home I'm going to be able to outrun my sister. :)

It has been awesome to be surrounded by like minded individuals and I feel like God has really started to open up my eyes about what He has in store for me. I'm so excited about the weeks to come and what God has for me.

I will be posting pictures as soon as I have a flash drive to transport pictures from my computer to the internet cafe. And as God is revealing things to me, I will be revealing them to you! Oh, I'm getting a cell phone today, so people will be able to call me. :)

Love to you all! You are in my prayers!

Today is the day

Hi all,

Well, the day has finally arrived. There have been months of preparation, days of saying goodbye and hours of packing. It has been difficult saying goodbye to everyone I love, but I'm excited for what comes next. I'm excited to be back in the country that stole my heart and to see where God leads me. And frankly, I'm tired of saying "goodbye" to people and I'm ready to start saying "hello"! :)

I started getting a little nervous this morning as I was taking a shower. I feel like I just have to keep going on auto-pilot so that my nerves don't get the best of me. Just keep breathing and praying, Michelle. I had a great conversation the other night with a really dear friend. She reminded me to remember the last time I heard God speak clearly to me and keep focused on what He spoke to me. I just have to keep remember the heart I have for Africa and its people and that trumps all the difficulties that I have faced and the struggles I will have while I am gone.

For those that want to track my flight or pray for me while I am flying (taking off, especially!) here are my flight details:
I leave PDX at 6:41 pm on 7/14, leave San Francisco at 10:27 pm on 7/14, and JFK at 11:15 am (EST; 8:15 am PST) on 7/15.

Thanks to all of you for your love and support. I will be updating my blog when I am able to and I will let everyone know how they can be in touch with me as soon as I find all that out. For now, email will be my main form of communication. I don't know when or how often I'll be able to check it, but until then, ciao!