As I sit here, I am wearing a mishmash of my summer maxi dresses and my winter sweaters as I try to pack for Kenya. It is rather cool (lows in the 40’s, highs in low 70’s) right now in Kenya and since I need to keep my legs and arms covered and cannot wear pants, I am finding choosing clothes to be a bit outside my normal go-to style. But so it goes around here.

So, if the post title didn’t give it away – I am going to Kenya. I leave Saturday. Yes, that is 2 days away! In typical Paulson fashion, I booked tickets less than a week ago and have barely even managed to fully process what I am about to embark on.

I have a 3 week break from my normal hospital schedule that was an unfortunate part of having to schedule a rotation in Ohio during October (more on that later). After going back-and-forth over what to do with that time, Tyler and I decided I should see if I could go to Africa. A few emails later, I had a doctor inviting me to come work with him at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, about 4 hours outside of Nairobi. Getting plans together pushed my faith and patience some (as most missions trips do), but I am so excited to be going and getting to work in the hospital. It is going to be purely amazing! I can only imagine the experience I will have.

Sadly, it is just me traveling. Tyler’s job is not as flexible as it once was, so I am flying solo. However, in a way that only God makes possible, I am actually flying from London to Nairobi with our friend Sabet, which will help make my first night there so much easier. I will be sure to share as much as I can about my experience and hopefully lots of awesome pictures. I am really looking forward to going to see the Elephants and Giraffes in Nairobi and those little cuties I imagine are quite photogenic.

Tyler is actually in Texas right now at a conference. He gets back Saturday just a few hours before I leave. And since our life is whirlwind right now, I land back in NYC on the 6th of October and we are leaving on the 8th to start our roadtrip to Ohio to get me settled in my home-away-from-home for the month. For those keeping track at home, that is a lot of time apart.

So, for now I will continue packing and making lists and I will ask for prayers. Prayers that I will love my time in Kenya, prayers for safety and good favor, prayers for our time apart. Prayers that this fall, despite the fact that Tyler and I will be flying all over the world and country, that we will stay connected. Prayers that this trip will be amazing, I will learn a lot, and I will make invaluable connections. Prayers that Tyler won’t starve to death while I’m gone.

Stay tuned for more posts and updates. I hope to have relatively reliable internet. Email will be the best way to reach me the next two weeks (to avoid international text fees) or you can always call Tyler. Time for an adventure.