Saturday, January 31, 2015

Today was packing day for the Journey 2015 team, at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener.  All but one of 25 members were there, including 3 Helens.  Also, a couple from Pennsylvania will be joining up with us in the DR.  Several rooms had tables set up with labels for the various categories of supplies: school, adult medications, child/infant medications, needlework, sports, etc.  As each person arrived, they were assigned an area and began unpacking and sorting all the contributions.  All cardboard packaging was removed to lighten the supplies.  We then had a short lunch break accompanied by instructions from our trip organizers Tim and Cath followed by ‘choir practice’, compliments of Uli and Donna - we will be singing 2 songs (containing some Spanish parts) at a church service the day after our arrival in the DR.  We then divided into the different rooms and began packing hockey bags, trying to bring the weight up to just under 50 pounds. The owner, contents and weight of each bag were recorded in order to expedite check-in at the airport and distribution of goods in the DR.

Cath briefing the Journey 2015 Team

The 3 Helens - Young, Younger & Youngest

Some Supplies for the Pregnancy Clinic

Harry & Chuck Sorting Medical Clinic Supplies

Donna & Marlene Sort Personal Hygiene Items

100 Bottles of Vitamins from Jamieson's

Youngest Helen Weighs a Bag

One of Our 2 Songs

Some of the team members prepared materials for two crafting activities: ‘arm knitting’ scarves and making tambourines.  These activities will be done with girls at an orphanage and kids at a school, respectively.

Marliese, Sarah-Jean, Donna, Margaret & Pauline ‘Crafting'

Some of our 50 Hockey Bags

Three weeks from today we will arrive in the DR where a new adventure awaits us.  Our itinerary will include both work and relaxation and of course - lots of warmth!!  

Vic, our ‘Number Cruncher’ gets a little Divine Guidance