Unexpected things...

It's amazing how interesting things can get prior to a major trip. The unexpected always occurs. We did recieve a wonderful message from our hosts at Kings Hospital, who stated that they are excited we are coming. They have organized a training with the hospital staff and directors, and we will also be able to visit two orphanages to work with the children. I understand that there will be nearly 170 children between the two locations. They did caution that emotions could be on the surface. I think this is highly possible because like us, they are watching the news, too. The news from Japan must affect them and remind them of their own situation over a year ago.

Thanks to the kindness of friends and family, we are prepared. At times, it is difficult to focus on the daily tasks. Sleep is also disrupted a bit as I remember things to pack, or come up with ideas to incorporate into the training. We do hope to connect up with Caroline Maby from France, who is the director of Couleurs du Coeur, a non-profit organization that provides art therapy. There is a lovely article about her work located at

http://www.midiaglobal.org/article/2011-03-11/haitian_children_find_healing_in_art