The end of one journey, the beginning of the next...

Hello from afar!

I am now in Pemba!  It was a long journey and I am glad to finally be here.  I have been resting a lot, allowing my brain to catch up to my body.  It is VERY hot.  Even the people that have been here for years live in a constant state of sweat.  Of course, I know that ladies don’t sweat, they glow... I have been GLOWING BUCKETS!!!  I arrived in with one piece... I started with 2 pieces of checked luggage.  The heavy one (70lbs) arrived, he light one (50 lbs) did not.  I am amazed by this circumstance because I did things differently and because of a few good God ideas along the way, I am not stressed at all about this missing bag!  I packed equal amounts of clothing in each of my bags, including my carry on, so I have 2/3rds of my clothes!  I was planning on buying a brand new back pack before I left but a friend gave me her old one instead (saving lots of $$$)... If it was a new back pack missing I would be anxious but because I did not spend the money I am at peace!!  While I was in YVR I randomly bought deodorant... so weird for me... the most important thing in the missing bag is my toiletry bag.  I am amazed because I have everything that I need.  A friend here is in charge of donations left behind by visitors so she hooked me up with flip flops, shampoo, and a new toothbrush.  All these simple things make me smile!!

Since I have been here I have chased several canine sized cockroaches out of my room, my house, three different bathrooms, and one from inside my bug net.  I might stop chasing them and just start naming them... I might look for some cockroach leashes in town so that I can take my new pets for walks!  Other than more bugs than I remember, I am settling in very well.  I love catching up with old friends and hugging kids all day long.  I have yet to take many pictures since I have been here but I have cleaned my new house... the water was the colour of mud and almost as thick!

I am still adjusting but I absolutely love being here!!!! I will write more interesting blogs to come but I think that my brain might be in that missing bag... or it melted in the heat... or a cockroach ate it while I was sleeping J

Thanks for reading this little update!

Until next time, Candace

PS  Here are a couple of pictures from my travel... my travelling buddy is named Cheeky and she proved to be a lot of fun!!!

Before I Go...

I have heard that just before a pregnant woman goes into labour she goes through a 'nesting' stage.  She gets this urge to clean and make sure everything is 'right'.  I am not pregnant!!! But I am nesting.  The 'due date' is tomorrow and everything is on schedule.  I am officially really, really excited now.  I think (hope) that I have everything in order and I am now working on packing! My methods are a little odd but I am praying that everything will fit!  I have stacked everything on the couch and now I have to get the couch into the bags... I am so thankful for my friends!!

I wanted to quickly update my blog to touch base with you before I take off.  I truly believe that this is an adventure that we are on together!  

I would love and appreciate your prayers!  I start my day tomorrow with a little flight to Vancouver.  I then board a 14 hour flight! I get to stretch for 2 hours in Hong Kong then I board a 13 hour flight followed by a 4 hour flight!!  That is 31 hours of sitting still, and we all know me!!!

Hopefully once I finally get to Pemba (on Saturday) I will get to go swimming before I even unpack! (my bathing suit is in my carry on).  

Quick prayer points: Quick and easy adjustment back to life in Pemba, No illness (not even once!!), that I can learn more of the language, that my practicum would go smooth, and just the basic protection stuff!!  I want to encounter God on this adventure!

I love you guys, thank you for journeying with me!!

Below are pictures of the task at hand.  First a pic of my couch covered in most (not all) of my stuff to pack, then a pic of the three bags I am taking, Then a couple of Laura trying to come with, and then a picture of the couch and bags in perspective... quite a task but it will be completed!!!

Love always, Candace of the Bush Bush

Back to the Land of Squatty Potty's and Bucket Bath's

FRIENDS.... FAMILY.... RANDOM BLOG READERS,

I am SO very excited to finally update my blog, although it has taken a while ;)
I am bursting with JOY because I am headed back to Pemba in about a MONTH!!!

If you haven't seen me recently you might be wondering what I am doing this time and I why I am leaving a month and half earlier than usual (I love that going to Africa is becoming 'usual' for me!!!)

I am just about about finished my third year of Nursing school (WOOOHOOOOOO), and for my year end practice experience I am going to be working with a Canadian RN who is serving as a Public Health Nurse with Iris Ministries in Pemba, Mozambique. We will be working on some health education projects in two local villages which you will hear more about in weeks to come.

This is the same organization that I went with before. After six weeks of being a Nursing a student I will transition into a role similar to my last trip. I will work with the missions school and hug as many children as possible :)

I am Obviously, just slightly, really, really, burstingly, excited about this next adventure and chapter in my life. I will try to blog regularly and I will post pictures when I can.

If you like numbers like, you can count down the minutes with me until I leave using the counter at the right of this page --> --> -->
(or find it on my blog at candaceinafrica.blogspot.com by clicking here if this comes to your email)

Also, if you want my blog updates sent to your email inbox, you can sign up using the subscription box.

Thank you for joining me in this next adventure!!!

Candace

PS: Here are those long overdue pictures from the Congo