Currently, I am sitting in the airport just outside of where I board my flight tomorrow morning. This is the least fun part of my trip, and I think that I am working myself up about it.
My first two flights went well, both landed about 15 minutes early. I cried the first part of the flight from Erie to Philly, but the man next to me was very kind and tried to talk with me to get my mind off of it. Even now, I am still scared about the fact that in a few short hours I will be flying into a foreign country. My second flight was long, but the woman who was also sitting in my row was fantastic company. She is a traveling bartender, more accurately a snow bird. She was on her way back to Ft. Lauderdale from Maine where she was taking care of her father. She was very sweet and we had lots of good conversation.
So here I continue to sit, I think I may try and find a nice corner to curl up in and sleep for a little while...
Please pray for my safety as I spend the night here, and for safety flying into Cap tomorrow morning. Also pray that Jane, the woman picking me up, is there right away and I do not have to wait alone.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
My last full day...
...was filled with packing, and planning, and errand running. I have one bag completely packed and it is weighing in under 40 lbs. I am waiting on some clothes that are hanging up to dry before they will be packed to take. I deposited money into my bank account, stopped at my doctor's office to pick up an updated immunization record, and to Wal Mart to pick up luggage tags and locks. I updated both my iPod touch, and my iPod classic with new music and movies to occupy me during my flights.
Tomorrow I plan on finishing up the packing, visiting with my Grandparents, watching a video for my big project in Integrated Methods and dropping the CD off at school, and finishing with a farewell meal at Chic Fil A, because I won't be able to have any for the next 6 weeks.
Please keep me in your prayers tomorrow evening, I board my plan leaving Erie at 6:18 PM, my first flight by myself EVER. So needless to say, I am quite nervous about flying on my own, and staying the night in an airport, and flying into a country that I have never been to before.
Mèsi ak bonswa!
Tomorrow I plan on finishing up the packing, visiting with my Grandparents, watching a video for my big project in Integrated Methods and dropping the CD off at school, and finishing with a farewell meal at Chic Fil A, because I won't be able to have any for the next 6 weeks.
Please keep me in your prayers tomorrow evening, I board my plan leaving Erie at 6:18 PM, my first flight by myself EVER. So needless to say, I am quite nervous about flying on my own, and staying the night in an airport, and flying into a country that I have never been to before.
Mèsi ak bonswa!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tying loose ends..
Today was really a fantastic day. I spent most of the day just resting and packing. Then around 3 I started calling the Academic Affairs office to try and get ahold of Michele Wheaton, the woman who was assisting me yesterday with getting my class schedule fixed. I was finally able to get ahold of her and she was able to fix my schedule. I am now registered for all 10 of my credits making me a full time student. This will reinstate my scholarship and grants and because my schedule has been fixed early enough, my bill will hopefully be corrected soon.
I also received my "text book" in the mail today, which I ordered two weeks ago. I was worried about the book not arriving in time, but it thankfully arrived minutes before I finally got ahold of Michele.
I also got my taxes finished and I will be getting a refund, this is really great news because I was beginning to worry about paying for my luggage to get down and back. This makes me feel more comfortable financially considered that I am going to have no income for the next six weeks.
The last thing that will hopefully be settled is my PHEAA. I am praying that God will end this drama, and provide me with the aid that I need. I am also praying that it is decided on before I leave because it will be difficult for me to make phone calls and pay bills while being in Haiti. I am confident that this will be resolved before I leave because God has sent me on this journey and will therefore make provisions to allow me to go worry free.
I also received my "text book" in the mail today, which I ordered two weeks ago. I was worried about the book not arriving in time, but it thankfully arrived minutes before I finally got ahold of Michele.
I also got my taxes finished and I will be getting a refund, this is really great news because I was beginning to worry about paying for my luggage to get down and back. This makes me feel more comfortable financially considered that I am going to have no income for the next six weeks.
The last thing that will hopefully be settled is my PHEAA. I am praying that God will end this drama, and provide me with the aid that I need. I am also praying that it is decided on before I leave because it will be difficult for me to make phone calls and pay bills while being in Haiti. I am confident that this will be resolved before I leave because God has sent me on this journey and will therefore make provisions to allow me to go worry free.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
In one week...
I leave in one week. A week that cannot go fast enough. I am filled with excitement and a little nervousness.
Yesterday I met with Meg, my future room mate. We talked nothing about travel and everything about getting to know one another. It was wonderfully unexpected. I left our meeting feeling overwhelmed with God's grace and provision to be allowing me to be down in Haiti at the same time as Meg, rooming with her, and sharing many of the same passions for what to accomplish while we are down there.
The afternoon progressed to involve a bill from Mercyhurst, where I realized that I am still only registered for 4 credits, making me a part time student, instead of the 10 I am supposed to be scheduled for. Because of this, my scholarship and grants have been revoked. Very frustrating, and very little that I can do. So I started my day, today, by calling PHEAA, for my PA grant that was revoked about a month ago, about the status of my re-evaluation with the correct information sent it. They received it on February 27th, and I was told to expect another 2 weeks wait to find out the final verdict. Hopefully it will all be correct, because I will obviously be out of the country and unable to make phone calls and meet in SFS. I then called the Registrar's Office to try to get my schedule straightened out. Basically they forwarded me to Academic Affairs where I left a message explaining that I had met with Dr. Belfiore about scheduling for my Independent Study and the two other courses. They told me that they would get back to me as soon as possible.
Yesterday I also confirmed an idea that has been floating around for quite some time, and I believe that now is the right time to reveal it. I was trying to figure out a way to minister to girls in the village and also trying to provide them a skill that they could profit from. I sat making a friendship bracelet while pondering this. Then I realized that I could teach them how to make these! So I have messaged Pastor James to find me find a group of 15 to 17 year old girls who would be willing to learn how to do this. I would teach them how to make the bracelets, bring down the supplies, and pray and talk and laugh with them. I would also pay them $1 per bracelet that they make, I would then bring the finished bracelet's back to sell here in Erie for $2 each, the extra money would go towards buying more supplies for the girls to continue making the bracelets. I pray that they would be able to use this skill to make the bracelets to either send back to the US, or sell in their village. I am so excited to begin this and I cannot wait to meet these ladies and talk with them about Jesus and love them. I am also so excited to tell the women and girls in the US who buy these bracelets about the girls who made them.
I completed most of my packing, and have weighed my luggage and it is coming in at well under the weight limits for flying. This is fantastic considering that I will have to pay per pound on the IBC flight. I have also finished all of my sewing to be done before the trip. So now I am listening to my dog bark at the construction in front of our house that has been going on for the past two weeks, watching some television and praying that these days pass quickly.
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. in this world you will have trouble. but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Yesterday I met with Meg, my future room mate. We talked nothing about travel and everything about getting to know one another. It was wonderfully unexpected. I left our meeting feeling overwhelmed with God's grace and provision to be allowing me to be down in Haiti at the same time as Meg, rooming with her, and sharing many of the same passions for what to accomplish while we are down there.
The afternoon progressed to involve a bill from Mercyhurst, where I realized that I am still only registered for 4 credits, making me a part time student, instead of the 10 I am supposed to be scheduled for. Because of this, my scholarship and grants have been revoked. Very frustrating, and very little that I can do. So I started my day, today, by calling PHEAA, for my PA grant that was revoked about a month ago, about the status of my re-evaluation with the correct information sent it. They received it on February 27th, and I was told to expect another 2 weeks wait to find out the final verdict. Hopefully it will all be correct, because I will obviously be out of the country and unable to make phone calls and meet in SFS. I then called the Registrar's Office to try to get my schedule straightened out. Basically they forwarded me to Academic Affairs where I left a message explaining that I had met with Dr. Belfiore about scheduling for my Independent Study and the two other courses. They told me that they would get back to me as soon as possible.
Yesterday I also confirmed an idea that has been floating around for quite some time, and I believe that now is the right time to reveal it. I was trying to figure out a way to minister to girls in the village and also trying to provide them a skill that they could profit from. I sat making a friendship bracelet while pondering this. Then I realized that I could teach them how to make these! So I have messaged Pastor James to find me find a group of 15 to 17 year old girls who would be willing to learn how to do this. I would teach them how to make the bracelets, bring down the supplies, and pray and talk and laugh with them. I would also pay them $1 per bracelet that they make, I would then bring the finished bracelet's back to sell here in Erie for $2 each, the extra money would go towards buying more supplies for the girls to continue making the bracelets. I pray that they would be able to use this skill to make the bracelets to either send back to the US, or sell in their village. I am so excited to begin this and I cannot wait to meet these ladies and talk with them about Jesus and love them. I am also so excited to tell the women and girls in the US who buy these bracelets about the girls who made them.
I completed most of my packing, and have weighed my luggage and it is coming in at well under the weight limits for flying. This is fantastic considering that I will have to pay per pound on the IBC flight. I have also finished all of my sewing to be done before the trip. So now I am listening to my dog bark at the construction in front of our house that has been going on for the past two weeks, watching some television and praying that these days pass quickly.
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. in this world you will have trouble. but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Monday, February 27, 2012
a birthday weekend
This past weekend was my birthday. I officially hit two decades old.
It was quite a strange day for me, my parents were gone for an overnighter, and my brother slept over at his friend's house. So I was home alone, which is rare on a weekend. I made myself a special breakfast of french toast, made my five dresses, and finished up some more small baby blankets to take to pass out at Bethesda.
My lowest point was easily modeling my dresses for my dog, which meant I had to wake him up from sleeping under a blanket. Which meant that he gave me a dirty look before reburying his head. Stinker.
Unfortunately my day wasn't much better than this. I have confessions to make.
Saturday was a low point for me. I was tormented with a panic attack. The realization that in two short weeks I would be leaving all that is familiar around me and going miles away from my bed, my family, my small group, my best friends, high speed wifi internet, WalMart... I mean seriously. Basically I had told myself months back that my birthday was the day that I would get all of my prescriptions filled and officially start packing. The devil attacked me in a wicked way Saturday. I allowed myself to have doubts and fears as to whether or not I really want to go. I was scared. I was anxious. I was sinning.
I went to bed after a tearful conversation with my best friend. Where she assured me that this is what I am meant to do and that I am strong enough to do this. I spilled my fears into God and read Psalms.
I woke up renewed and refreshed. They showed a video in service of Haiti, and the pastors at Zion Church, our partner church, and it was God's answer to my fears.
I sit here in my bed staring at suitcases on my floor. One half filled with school supplies, with my hope that I will be able to fit 2 weeks worth of clothing and six weeks of toiletries in the other half. Saturday I would have been unable to handle this sight, but through God's strength I am able to process this thought and be confident in God's desire for me to go to Haiti. I am thankful for friends like Scott and Meg who will already be down in Haiti when I am arriving. I am thankful for friends in Erie who have knowledge of what to take with me. I am forever thankful for God's provision to allow me to bring school supplies, extra clothing, and excess money.
Many people have asked how to contact me while I am down in Haiti. The best way would be to email me at my personal email address: katiejobczynski@yahoo.com. I also have a Skype account which I am hoping will work as long as I only use the voice calling. My Skype user name is katielynn.j. I can also be contacted through my Facebook page. I will be keeping this blog updated regularly. I am looking into a "Magic Jack" to assist in making phone calls. If I do get one I will provide those who inquire with the number.
Please continue to pray for me as my State aid still has not gone through properly. Also pray for strength for me as I begin to say goodbye to friends, babies, and family these next two weeks.
It was quite a strange day for me, my parents were gone for an overnighter, and my brother slept over at his friend's house. So I was home alone, which is rare on a weekend. I made myself a special breakfast of french toast, made my five dresses, and finished up some more small baby blankets to take to pass out at Bethesda.
My lowest point was easily modeling my dresses for my dog, which meant I had to wake him up from sleeping under a blanket. Which meant that he gave me a dirty look before reburying his head. Stinker.
Unfortunately my day wasn't much better than this. I have confessions to make.
Saturday was a low point for me. I was tormented with a panic attack. The realization that in two short weeks I would be leaving all that is familiar around me and going miles away from my bed, my family, my small group, my best friends, high speed wifi internet, WalMart... I mean seriously. Basically I had told myself months back that my birthday was the day that I would get all of my prescriptions filled and officially start packing. The devil attacked me in a wicked way Saturday. I allowed myself to have doubts and fears as to whether or not I really want to go. I was scared. I was anxious. I was sinning.
I went to bed after a tearful conversation with my best friend. Where she assured me that this is what I am meant to do and that I am strong enough to do this. I spilled my fears into God and read Psalms.
I woke up renewed and refreshed. They showed a video in service of Haiti, and the pastors at Zion Church, our partner church, and it was God's answer to my fears.
I sit here in my bed staring at suitcases on my floor. One half filled with school supplies, with my hope that I will be able to fit 2 weeks worth of clothing and six weeks of toiletries in the other half. Saturday I would have been unable to handle this sight, but through God's strength I am able to process this thought and be confident in God's desire for me to go to Haiti. I am thankful for friends like Scott and Meg who will already be down in Haiti when I am arriving. I am thankful for friends in Erie who have knowledge of what to take with me. I am forever thankful for God's provision to allow me to bring school supplies, extra clothing, and excess money.
Many people have asked how to contact me while I am down in Haiti. The best way would be to email me at my personal email address: katiejobczynski@yahoo.com. I also have a Skype account which I am hoping will work as long as I only use the voice calling. My Skype user name is katielynn.j. I can also be contacted through my Facebook page. I will be keeping this blog updated regularly. I am looking into a "Magic Jack" to assist in making phone calls. If I do get one I will provide those who inquire with the number.
Please continue to pray for me as my State aid still has not gone through properly. Also pray for strength for me as I begin to say goodbye to friends, babies, and family these next two weeks.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Flights, Insurance, and the End of Term
Today marks the last day of finals for Mercyhurst University (catch that? we're a University now). I had my last final Monday so this week has been pretty low key for me, other than working in McAuley as often as possible. I finished all of my last projects with confidence that I worked to the best of my ability despite ending it all with a nasty cold.
As far as travel plans go, everything is looking fantastic! I have my flights there and back booked, and my travel insurance squared away. I will be flying out of Erie on Tuesday, March 13th at night, arriving in Philadelphia to catch a flight to Ft. Lauderdale. I will then spend the night in the airport, which will save me about $100, then fly into Cap Haitian on the morning of March 14th. For coming home all of my flights are on the same day, April 30th, which just so happens to be my mom's birthday. It was so nerve wracking to plan all of this travel, but I had the help of Julie Thompson, the grad assistant in the Education Department. She had planned all of my flights and found the Travel Insurance for me as well. We picked a plan that included natural disasters, and was also manageable cost wise.
Packing wise, I have lots of school supplies to take for my 19 students. I still have to finish my dresses, but I DID bring my serger up from the basement so I can learn how to use it before I make the dresses. I have made a few small baby blankets to take down and pass out at the clinic or orphanage.
My excitement is building. But so are my nerves. Praying for God's strength and courage to get me through these last few weeks.
As far as travel plans go, everything is looking fantastic! I have my flights there and back booked, and my travel insurance squared away. I will be flying out of Erie on Tuesday, March 13th at night, arriving in Philadelphia to catch a flight to Ft. Lauderdale. I will then spend the night in the airport, which will save me about $100, then fly into Cap Haitian on the morning of March 14th. For coming home all of my flights are on the same day, April 30th, which just so happens to be my mom's birthday. It was so nerve wracking to plan all of this travel, but I had the help of Julie Thompson, the grad assistant in the Education Department. She had planned all of my flights and found the Travel Insurance for me as well. We picked a plan that included natural disasters, and was also manageable cost wise.
Packing wise, I have lots of school supplies to take for my 19 students. I still have to finish my dresses, but I DID bring my serger up from the basement so I can learn how to use it before I make the dresses. I have made a few small baby blankets to take down and pass out at the clinic or orphanage.
My excitement is building. But so are my nerves. Praying for God's strength and courage to get me through these last few weeks.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
an overdue update
things have been incredibly crazy for me lately. tonight is no exception. i write with a heavy heart as my little bird is dying. i'm praying that he makes it until monday so i can take him to the vet's office and get some answers as to why he is so sick.
anyways, last i had updated i received my passport and had gotten most of my shots. now i can write and say that i have ALL my shots, and have turned in my study abroad application. this is really great because it is one less thing i have to worry about right now.
school is extremely busy for me right now, i have finally finished having to go for one practicum and still have two visits left at another. i have a few write ups to complete for both sites as well as a history research paper that is due monday. please pray that i can continue to stay focused and driven to complete my assignments because i am getting to the point where i am just ready to be done.
a bit of a praise report, a family friend donated a very large amount of money to me for my trip, even though i have INSISTED against it. so, i have started to purchase some (ha) school supplies to take with me. as per Kate's requests, i have 600 sheets of construction paper, 60 pencils, 10 black pens, 10 red pens, 12 glue sticks, and over a thousand stickers. and that's just the tip of the ice burg. i also found 20 "fun" pencils. there are 10 girly printed ones (flowers, polka dots, hearts) and 10 boyish patterns (stars, "super"), 6 butterfly erasers, a deck of crazy eights, a deck of go fish, a deck of old maid, number silly bands, a winnie the pooh coloring book, a scooby too coloring book, letter recognition matching cards, word building match cards, and number cards. these students have no clue that every time i step foot into a store i am thinking of them and what i can purchase to take down for them! this makes my heart swell with grace.
i think that this feeling is something like what Jesus feels for us ALL THE TIME. we feel as though we are great and that we have all that we need, but Jesus is sitting there going "you have NO idea what is coming for you!" i feel like this for my future students. they little idea as to how crazy, excited this college student from a place that gets snow is to meet them, and love them, and teach them, and positively reinforce them through awesome school supplies and be crazy and make them laugh and pray that something that i am doing is absorbed into their minds.
but anyways! so far i have only spent 1/10 of the gift that i was given on these treasures. so, i will fill one duffel bag with the school supplies, then i will use the rest of the money to help pay for sending it down because it costs extra for each extra bag that you put in cargo.
as of last monday, a team from my church has been working in Cap Haitian. i am so excited to be kept updated on what they are doing while they are down there. please pray for their safety while they travel back this week.
i still think about this all and how crazy this still is and how blessed i am to have such a wonderful opportunity through a school i never initially saw myself going to. God led me through a winding path to get me where i am today. all i can do is thank and praise Him for all that he has done, is doing, and will do for me.
anyways, last i had updated i received my passport and had gotten most of my shots. now i can write and say that i have ALL my shots, and have turned in my study abroad application. this is really great because it is one less thing i have to worry about right now.
school is extremely busy for me right now, i have finally finished having to go for one practicum and still have two visits left at another. i have a few write ups to complete for both sites as well as a history research paper that is due monday. please pray that i can continue to stay focused and driven to complete my assignments because i am getting to the point where i am just ready to be done.
a bit of a praise report, a family friend donated a very large amount of money to me for my trip, even though i have INSISTED against it. so, i have started to purchase some (ha) school supplies to take with me. as per Kate's requests, i have 600 sheets of construction paper, 60 pencils, 10 black pens, 10 red pens, 12 glue sticks, and over a thousand stickers. and that's just the tip of the ice burg. i also found 20 "fun" pencils. there are 10 girly printed ones (flowers, polka dots, hearts) and 10 boyish patterns (stars, "super"), 6 butterfly erasers, a deck of crazy eights, a deck of go fish, a deck of old maid, number silly bands, a winnie the pooh coloring book, a scooby too coloring book, letter recognition matching cards, word building match cards, and number cards. these students have no clue that every time i step foot into a store i am thinking of them and what i can purchase to take down for them! this makes my heart swell with grace.
i think that this feeling is something like what Jesus feels for us ALL THE TIME. we feel as though we are great and that we have all that we need, but Jesus is sitting there going "you have NO idea what is coming for you!" i feel like this for my future students. they little idea as to how crazy, excited this college student from a place that gets snow is to meet them, and love them, and teach them, and positively reinforce them through awesome school supplies and be crazy and make them laugh and pray that something that i am doing is absorbed into their minds.
but anyways! so far i have only spent 1/10 of the gift that i was given on these treasures. so, i will fill one duffel bag with the school supplies, then i will use the rest of the money to help pay for sending it down because it costs extra for each extra bag that you put in cargo.
as of last monday, a team from my church has been working in Cap Haitian. i am so excited to be kept updated on what they are doing while they are down there. please pray for their safety while they travel back this week.
i still think about this all and how crazy this still is and how blessed i am to have such a wonderful opportunity through a school i never initially saw myself going to. God led me through a winding path to get me where i am today. all i can do is thank and praise Him for all that he has done, is doing, and will do for me.
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