Haiti Needs

As I mentioned on Facebook this morning, I had every intention of waking up early to scour yard sales for good deals on some basic items I need for Haiti.  Instead I woke up with a stomach ache and ended up back in bed.

A friend suggested making a list of all the items I need to see if anyone has things they'd be willing to donate.  So in an attempt to save myself some money, here goes! Some of these items I don't necessarily need for myself, but when we have teams staying at the house they will be nice to have.  It is also MUCH cheaper to buy things in the states and bring them with me, than it is to buy them in Haiti.  The price is about 3x the American rate down there so I'm trying to take as much as possible with me!  

If you'd like to donate any of the following items, simply leave a comment below or email me at allysonhemric@gmail.com explaining what you have available to donate and the best way to meet up with you!

 KITCHEN ITEMS:

• Peeler **
• Hand Mixer **
• Cookie sheets (not dark, & nice enough to withstand a gas stove) **
• Pyrex dishes **
• muffin pan (not dark) **
• Set of steak knives 
• Food canisters of all sizes with a VERY good seal (ex OXO Good Grips Canisters) - This will keep food fresh and ants out of it! **
• Ice Cream scoop
• Sponges **
• Crock Pot Liners
• ZipLoc bags **
• Aluminum Foil **
• Saran Wrap **
• Pot holders **
• Bottle Opener **
• Kitchen Shears **
• Rubber Spatula
• Muffin liners
• Serving dishes
• Napkins **
• Trash Bags (big & small) **
• Paper Towels

BATHROOM ITEMS:

• Towel bars (must fit into a suitcase)

OTHER ITEMS:

•  Basic medications to stock a first-aid cabinet **
• Ibuprofen
• Pepto-Bismol (non-chewable pills)
• Immodium
• Sleep Aid pills
• Sinus medications
• Neosporin
• Drammamine
• Household Needs
• Toothpaste (Crest Whitening Plus Scope) **
• Shampoo & Conditioner (Tresemme or Pantene 2-in-1) **
• Clorox toilet wand refills
• Off Smooth & Dry mosquito spray **
• Clorox Wipes **
• Batteries:  D and AA **
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs **
• Flashlights

I'm sure there are other items I'm not thinking of or have already purchased. The above items are things I'd like to get before I leave.   ** Starred items are necessities. **  Crossed off items have already been donated.

Again, if you have any item(s) you'd like to donate, please leave a comment below or email me at allysonhemric@gmail.com.

Thanks again!

I  have a tax id number I can provide from Christian Light, but you will not receive an official receipt from them of your donation.

This is really happening

This is all really happening...and happening very fast!

When I started this blog, I promised to be honest with my readers and myself.  That means you will be seeing all sides of this journey to Haiti: the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, and everything in between.  This post is a little bit of it all!

I found out on Sunday that I will be moving to Haiti a little earlier than originally anticipated (more to come on that soon).  While I am excited and anxious to be down there, I have to be honest, this is scary!  I keep finding myself stopping and staring off in disbelief that I'm actually moving to Haiti.  Part of that realization has caused me to stop and enjoy the simple things in life.  Things like this beautiful fall weather, the comfort of my bed, the joy of pushing the AC down when I get hot, hopping in my car to run a quick errand or meet friends for lunch...all of those things will be coming to an end soon.  While I am cherishing each moment until then, part of me is really dreading leaving the comforts of home.  I keep finding myself on the verge of tears in those moments.  I try to keep it together, but to be honest it's hard at times.

I think more than anything, I am not looking forward to the transition period in Haiti.  I know there will be moments when I question everything, when the homesickness will seem unbareable, when adjusting to new normals isn't easy...I dread those hard times.  However I am also SO looking forward to all of the good times.  Things like knowing I am doing exactly what God has called me to do, serving the women at this ministry, getting to wrap my arms around the kids at Dorothy's again, and so much more.  Those are the times I am trying to focus on right now.

I know this journey is not going to be easy.  I know the transition may not come naturally.  I know there will be both good and bad times.  I also know that with God, all things are possible and that HE will help me through every aspect of this journey.  This is what I keep reminding myself of.  God's strength is more powerful than all of ours combined, and that is what I am relying on today.  As I work through the details of moving dates, packing, fundraising, etc, I am leaning on Christ. HIS grace is sufficient.

I cherish your continued prayers over me and this journey.

Summer Whirlwind

Sorry to have taken yet another long break from blogging.  This summer has been jam packed with work, fundraising, traveling, visiting old friends, & more!  It has flown by, but here are some pictures from the last few months.

 Jodi came to town for a quick visit!

 Staff trip to Myrtle Beach.

 The girls

 Courtney & me.

 Sisters.

 Barefoot Landing fun with Eliza.

 & with Erin.  We couldn't resist!

 Quick trip to Maryland to visit these beautiful ladies!  A much needed ID5 reunion!

 Fun on the boat.

 Love these girls (and Andrew!)

 Found my future dog.

 Stopped in VA to see Jessica Deen!

 Erin & I got slimmed by the group that raised the most money for my move to Haiti.

 Things got a little messy with Andy.

All done in love of course!

 Held our first fundraiser for Haiti, a Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction.

 Family came out to support!

 We had over 200 people attend that evening.  I was so amazed with the support from everyone!

 Raffling off goodies!

Kathleen helped run the Silent Auction table.

It has been such a wonderful summer, I'm not ready for it to end! The next step is to begin planning our next fundraiser.  Thank you again to everyone that donated items for the Spaghetti Dinner!  And thank you to everyone that volunteered and came out in support!  It means the world to have so many people standing behind me as I begin this journey.  Here's to the next few months full of fundraising!

Long Time no See

It's been awhile since my last post...sorry about that!

I haven't been in much of a blogging mood recently.  Mainly because there hasn't been a whole lot to tell that hasn't already been said. 

So a quick update in bullet points...

-I got accepted through Christian Light Ministries as a Missionary.  That means people can donate towards my ministry & it will be tax deductible!

-I am in the process of scheduling speaking events at various churches (let me know if you'd like me to speak at your church or small group!) & organizing a large spaghetti dinner & silent auction for my fundraising!

-The Haitian Goods I am selling have been VERY popular so far, which has been great for initial fundraising!

-Camp starts on Monday.  I have been SUPER busy preparing for camp over the last few months & am very excited to finally have kids & staff in the building!

-I have completed training with all of our staff for this summer & everyone is now CPR/First-Aid certified.

-I'm staying with my cousins Adam & Rebecca this week while Dee is out of town.  Getting to play mom for a week has made me remember how much I despise waking up before the sun is up, but other than that it has been lots of fun!

-Rebecca's cat, Leah, is cRaZy but it has made for a very entertaining week so far!

Well that's about it!! Hopefully the blogging blues will clear soon & I'll have more exciting posts coming!

Haiti Trip in Pictures (and some words)

 The guys helped free a car that got stuck on the way home from church.

 

We spent the afternoon at the hardware store called Eko Depot.

  

The pool got filled!

 

Jeannot learned how to take care of the pool.

 

Which led to lots of jumping off of the roof for the guys!

 The guys did a lot of construction & electrical work.  This outlet created quite the adventure for them.

 The guys built a screened in porch off of the dining room.

 They put up PVC pipes to redirect the off flow of rain water from the roof. This will keep a lot of debris out of the pool.

 Jared made a beautiful fountain on the side of the pool for Debbie (sorry I don't have completed pictures).

 The house I may be living at when I move to Haiti.  Donna is looking at renting this house and then sub-leasing rooms out to people like me!

 The upstairs kitchen.

 Stairs leading down to the first floor.

 The hall on the 2nd floor.

 Main bath on the 2nd floor.

 The balcony off of the master bedroom & guest room.

 The owner of the house talking with Donna.

 The gate that would allow us to lock off our living area (2nd floor) completely from the 1st floor.

 The beautiful architectural details in the main living area on the first floor.

 The owner offered to put up a sliding gate outside of these double doors, & bars on the windows for added protection.

 We made a couple of visits to Dorothy's.

 I got to hug my sweet Johnny.

 Kevin got a taste of what everyday life is like at Dorothy's.

 I got the privilege of being the first person to teach Sophie how to swim.

 We went to a beautiful restaurant called La Reserve on our last night.

 They had a beautiful waiting area with a pool table.

 The whole team plus some guests from Sherrie's.

 My dinner - Filet Mignon

 Dessert - Cookies & Cream Ice Cream

And last but not least, a picture with these two lovely ladies, Donna & Erin.  If everything goes as planned, they will be my roommates in Haiti!!  I'm so blessed to call them both my friends.  We had such a wonderful time catching up & reminiscing about how our paths unknowingly crossed over the last year.

It was a wonderful trip, and I cannot wait to be back down there full time!!  I am now working on meeting with Christian Light Ministries to complete the process of joining their team of missionaries.  I'll be traveling to Jacksonville, FL on Tuesday to meet with them in person. I hope to have everything lined up very soon!! This would allow me to funnel donations so that donors can get a tax deduction.

After I meet & get things in order with CLM, mom and I are going to meet with a CPA to discuss all of the tax information I'll need for this move & fundraising.

Then last, but certainly not least, once those two things are done I will begin fundraising!!  I need to raise around $30,000 to make the move for a year.  If you would like to donate, or know of a church, small group, or other organization that might want to help in my fundraising please let me know!!  I am open to any and all ideas.

This is a God-sized goal. I'm trusting that He will take care of everything!

Thanks again for your prayers & support!