It's almost time.  

Two more days until we leave for Ecuador on our healthcare mission.  Why is it that activity seems to speed up right before a trip?

I tried writing a post yesterday, but got caught up in a whirlwind of "things to do"... besides the need to take care of my clients.  We do multimedia marketing, which involves creating marketing that helps clients attract more business easily, quickly and consistently.  In putting together marketing strategies, I've been keeping busy in coaching, writing and creating videos.  So, it has been an interesting time... juggling work with this trip.  Being in the United States vs. Ecuador is like two different worlds.

Yesterday, we received a number of email documents from Zully Alvarado, Founder of Causes For Change International.  We'll need to keep these papers with us at customs in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  You see, since we're bringing so many toothbrushes and toothpaste for the poor children, the government might think we're starting a toothbrush business!  So, we have to prove that everything is being donated.  

Thanks to North Suburban Congregation Beth El in Highland Park, we received five new large suitcases, in which to put all our donations.  (For the past two trips, we've left the suitcases with the people in Ecuador.)  

Thanks to Congregation Hakafa in Winnetka, we received monetary donations to pay for the 2000 toothbrushes as well as other dental supplies.  (The children often end up sharing their one toothbrush with their family!  They have never had a toothbrush before, and that's why my son gives "toothbrushing lessons.")

Thanks to many private individuals, we've been able to cover the costs of our dental supplies and medicines.  Of course, added donations are always appreciated because these children truly have so little.  

So now -- it comes down to these last few days of preparation.  I need to buy protein bars, to sustain us while we're working in remote villages.  Although we get breakfast and lunch, sometimes it's very helpful to have added sustenance.   Last year, we were given a special luncheon treat on the last day of our work... a fish stew with fish eyes!  The Australian volunteer dentist loved it, but it just wasn't my thing.  I ended up choosing to have a lettuce sandwich.  Hopefully, this year, after I filled out a survey of my dietary preferences, I won't have the fish stew again.

I'm excited that we'll be staying at a modest hotel on a beach.  From the pictures we were shown, it looks very pleasant.  I'll be taking as many pictures as possible, so I can share them with you.  We're also going to be visiting another remote island this year, which sounds most interesting.

Before we leave, I'll try to write another blog post.  Lots to do in these last two days.  

I'm also recuperating from a fall on April 4th, where I hurt my right knee and fractured a small bone below my right pinky finger.  The knee still hurts... so I'll probably be wearing a bandage.  C'est la vie.  The show must go on....

Take care...

Lynn Sanders

Park Avenue Productions (www.parkaveproductions.com)