pre-departure preparations

The mind of man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps. -Proverbs 16:9

With less than one month before departure, I am frantically organizing my belongings into two categories: coming with me to Mozambique, or staying here (most likely in storage). Unfortunately, with an 80 lb luggage limit, most things fall in the latter. I'm wracking my brain for all the things I need to buy... Spicy ramen to last me two years! An extra camera battery in case I don't have frequent access to electrical outlets... A power converter set... An extra pair of glasses... Durable shoes... Good books... The list goes on and on.
Moving and packing are among my top dislikes, so I'm trying to do it all slowly but steadily so that I don't get too stressed. I've been reading through some blogs by previous volunteers in Mozambique to get a better idea of what I'm getting myself in to. Apparently, spider bites are pretty common. Did I mention that creepy crawlies love me? Especially mosquitoes... I can't wait.

Itinerary
Sept 26- departure to Philadelphia, PA for staging event
Sept 29- departure to Maputo, Mozambique with a stop in Johannesburg, South Africa

I will be training in Maputo for 3 months before beginning my 2 year service. During this time, I will be living with a host family, and I'll be learning Portuguese and probably a local language(s)! I accumulate two days of vacation a month after training, which I cannot use during the first or last six months. I plan to use this time to tour Africa and possibly Europe, instead of coming back to the states.

My address during pre-service training:
Vivienne Chao, PCV
Corpo da Paz/U. S. Peace Corps
C.P. 4398
Maputo, MOZAMBIQUE

... Although snail mail will be delayed, please write to me!! I have heard from past and current volunteers that mail is a godsend. My skype username is vivienne.chao, although I'm not sure how frequent my internet access will be. I'll probably be getting a cell phone once I'm in Mozambique as well :)

This Time for Africa

It arrived today, the long anticipated Peace Corps invitation. It's been an arduous year long process, fraught with unexpected twists and turns, not the least of which include my assignment: Community Health Promoter in Mozambique. Like my friend Cameron Bradley, I'll be serving my two years in Africa.
Honestly, I never imagined myself on the African continent. When I began the application process, I expressed a strong desire to serve in Latin America but was disappointed when I was nominated for the region of Central Asia/Eastern Europe instead. Ukraine? Turkey? Not my ideal choices, but the idea began to grow on me.
Leave it to Peace Corps to throw me another curve ball. Not only will I not be teaching English as presumed, but my assignment will be focused on HIV/AIDs prevention.
I've always known I'll accept whatever assignment I am given. I realize that God has a plan for my life and that every challenge I encounter on this journey will only make me stronger and mold me into the person I am supposed to be.
As the initial shock is wearing off, excitement is starting to build. I'll be leaving for orientation on September 27, which seems so very soon...

We'll never be ready if we keep waiting
For the perfect time to come
Won't be steady, I'll never be ready
Where we don't know, though we can't see
Just walk on down this road with me..."
- Mat Kearney, "Never Be Ready"