So Day 2 of Malaria Pills and I am vomitting and have diarrhea.  I have to try and find another medication to start in less then 4 hours.  Sorry Wegmans parking lot :)  - Rebekah

Sometimes large companies are unbelievable!  I have spent over 2.5 hours on the phone on 3 different days trying to talk to someone at United Airlines about our checked baggage.  Since we had so may shoes, each of us is going to have to check 2 pieces.  The additional bag to be checked will cost us an additional $550.  There is not a person I have spoken to at United Airlines that has the authority to waive our second bag fee.  How enraging!  I guess if we have to pay for the second checked bag, so be it.  You would think I would be able to eventually find someone who has the authority to say "yes" or "no".  No such luck.

On a lighter note..........I have had multiple conversations with people today that are so excited for us. Their enthusiasm is motivating for me, to the point that this whole thing with United Airlines isn't bothering me as bad as it would otherwise.

Stay uned for more updates.  Trip is less than 3 days away!!

   

Tonight we sorted shoes....and sorted shoes.....and sorted shoes.  We ended up packing 741 pairs of shoes into 20 duffle bags to take with us.  There were at least another 300 pair that we packed into boxes to ship to the Restore Haiti organization for later delivery to the people of Haiti.  We never would have imagined that we could collect over 1,000 pairs of shoes. 

The outpouring of generosity of those we know and love...and many more we don't know....is amazing.  We live in a time when some people are so consumed with what life has for them that they miss all of the pain, hurt, and need around.  This shoe-raiser has been an overwhelming expression of the commitment of hundreds of people to help others they don't know and will probably never meet.  To say that I am excited to see this blessing of the people of Jacmel would be a HUGE understatement.

Today in church, Pastor Rick interviewed the Haiti team.  This is the first team to go internationally on a missions trip from the Akron Free Methodist Church.  When I heard Rebekah talking about what we are going to do there, it just makes me all that much more excited for what is to come.  Each one of the 11 has come to this place in a different manner and will bring something unique to the people of Haiti. 

We ask for your prayers for our team and for the lives we will touch there.  Tomorrow night is shoe night and the entire team is meeting at the church to sort through and bag shoes.  Sounds like fun!

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes.  Picked up another 50-75 pairs of shoes from a few folks at HSBC who have been collecting.  Rebekah and Mikayla went shopping with the money folks donated at HSBC and bought 30 pair of children's shoes.  I can't wait to see the people's faces when we show up with 24 duffle bags of shoes.

Today when I get in the truck to go somewhere, the smell of the shoes from yesterday was not good.  I wonder what kind of fungus is among us......hmmmmmmm......we shall see.

Today is T - 8 days until we embark on our journey to Haiti.  Prep, prep, prep.  Stay tuned for further upates.