Ready or not, here we come!

The hotel is reserved, vaccinations are done, airline tickets purchased, airport pick up is arranged, and my bags are well, sort of packed! Over all, I think we're ready... I think. There's been lots of planning and meetings to prepare, but they tell me even with all the planning something is bound to change. And it has, a few times already. But that is expected, and I suppose it keeps it exciting.

There's more work done to prep for a mission than I could have ever imagined. And I've really only seen a small fraction of it. It is work to get donated equipment into the country, coordinating various traveling schedules, getting over 20 education documents translated into Vietnamese. There's so much more, but everyone does it with passion and excitement for the mission.

And that's partly why I am so excited; to meet these passionate people that put two weeks of their life aside to travel across the world to do a great deed. There's 33 of us in total! Everything from doctors, nurses, EMTs, translators, and a few non medical people like me. And then there's HSCV and CardioStart staff; they've gone out of the way to make arrangements and provide important information. We're lucky to be so well taken care of.

Then, there's also the people that have been indirectly involved that I've been thinking about so much lately. I am so appreciative of the support from our families and friends, those who have helped to fundraise, those who have donated, those who have just given words of encouragement and advice. In about a week, we will arrive in Vietnam coming from all across the world to work on making a real difference, with your help.

I hope to keep you updated on all the events of our time there! Come back and check often!

PS to learn about last year's mission, read the blog: http://www.vietnammedicalmission2009.blogspot.com/