We have housing!

 I love how quickly God answers our prayers! Jesus not only answered our prayers for housing, but in my opinion gave us the best option ever! My team and I will be staying with my good friend Nikki Hyodo and her family in Nairobi. As an honorary Hyodo, I'm pretty stoked about this.
Obviously there are many amazing advantages to this for us: staying with some amazing friends, we'll have the advantage of living with "locals" (Nikki and her family are American, but have been missionaries in Nairobi for several years), it's financially beneficial, and the Hyodo's are associated with a couple of near by orphanages. I am definitely planning on taking advantage of playing with beautiful babies during some of our down time.
We are now down to about a week and half before we leave, starting to check things off the list:

• Prescriptions are filled for anti-malarial drugs and anti-diarrhea drugs (check)
• Vaccinated for Typhoid and Yellow Fever (check)
• 3 bottles and one purse size bottle of 98% Deet insect repellent (check) 
• Memory foam travel neck pillow... Oh yes. (check)

Unlike some of my other classmates, I haven't started packing yet. I have, however, collected the majority of the travel sized toiletries I plan to bring and I have mentally begun my packing list. Yes, you read me correctly. My check list is currently only a mental list, but "start packing list" is on a list in my planner ;)
Tomorrow I plan on shopping with my roomie for a few of the last minute items.
I am growing more and more excited as the days draw closer, but I still have to keep my head in the game! Many projects, quizzes, exams, and papers are still due before we leave.
Some things on my heart I'd love prayer for:

• Stamina, time management, and endurance to get through these next days of school before the trips. 
• Good health for myself and all of my classmates (now is not the time for sniffles and sore throats!)
•  I've still been having some issues with pain management with my back and neck from the accident I was in early November; I've been a bit nervous as the days draw near about leaving my chiropractor and massage therapist for a month. But I know that Jesus is sufficient for me and in my weakness He is made strong. But a little extra prayer coverage is always nice :)
• Also prayer for logistics related to the accident, I've been having issues with one of the insurance companies and having to refer them to my lawyer - prayers that nothing will happen with that while I'm away. 
• Prayer for our hearts to begin preparing for the things to come, that Jesus would make us open and would create special opportunities for us to meet people and share the faith in Africa and along the way.
• And lastly safety and health for all the NU nursing teams around the world. 
• The 6 teams are: Kenya, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, and Bethel, Alaska 

Thank you all for your love and support!  12 days till Kenya...
Until soon,
Amanda