33 days left . . . and so much to do! This week was busy in regards to getting everything prepared to leave for Ghana. I bought plane tickets to and from JFK International airport, submitted my visa application to the Embassy of Ghana, and had a rather extensive meeting with Passport Health this morning!
VISA APPLICATIONS: Our team should get our passports with approved visas within the next 10 days. Please be praying that with everything going on in our government right now that this process is not delayed. What an interesting process all of that turned out to be. I've never seen such specific instructions before - down to how exactly to affix your passport picture to you application. (If you apply for a Ghanaian visa anytime soon be sure to use glue and not staples!)
IMMUNIZATIONS: In researching the immunizations we would need before leaving, I had found what I would consider a rather substantial list and was not particularly looking forward to that doctor's visit. This morning, however, I was pleasantly surprised. I went to Passport Health in Virginia Beach to get all of my shots and was blown away at how helpful and kind they were. I ended up being there for about an hour and a half, but unlike any doctor's visit I had ever been in before, I was actually face to face with my nurse that entire time! She's a lovely lady named Eileen and I hope to be able to schedule all of my future visits with her. Not only did they provide all the shots I needed, but they also prescribed some medications that could be helpful on my trip and even wrote me a book! :)
In all, I received 5 shots today: Influenza, Hepatitis A, Polio, Yellow Fever, and Meningitis. My poor arms are still a little sore if I happen to move too much without considering my actions first. I must admit though that it was much better than I was expecting. In addition to these lovely shots, I was also prescribed anti-malarial medicine which I will begin taking two weeks before I leave and will continue to take it until four weeks after I return. There is also a Typhoid Fever vaccine that can be received through a pill. That one sounds so cool because you only take four of them, but since they contain "live" ingredients, the vaccine is good for up to five years! Finally, I have another medicine to take only if I get sick in any other way while I'm there. Basically, I'm set! :)
WHAT NOW?: As of now I'm waiting for my visa to be returned, to pick up all my prescriptions, and to start collecting all the "extra" things I'll need to take with me. As always, please be praying for our team as we prepare. We'll be doing some culture and language training next week which I will be sure to pass along. Thanks again for your support. It's such a blessing!(And feel free to comment or ask questions!)
