I suggest the first thing you do is schedule a visit to your doctor to make sure you are healthy. You will not need any shots for this trip, however, if you are not current on your tetanus vaccine, it would be a good idea to get up to date on that - you never know what you will encounter, step on or get cut by on these trips. While you are talking to your doctor, if you are one of those folks who have allergies that cause you to go into Anaphylactic shock, see if your doctor will prescribe an EpiPen for you to take with you on the trip. We've never had a problem like that, but ... you never know. Since medical help can be far away (the nearest big hospital is 2 hours away) you will want to do everything you can to take care of yourself.
And while you are at the doctor, check with him/her about an exercise program. (This will make your doctor very happy.)
What does exercise have to do with mission trips?? Well ... a lot actually.
These are very physically demanding trips. The way I see it, you can suffer some now while you have all of the comforts of home, or you can suffer more there where you have none of the comforts of home. Either way, you're gonna hurt. You will hurt less if you do everything you can to get in better shape for the trip.
It doesn't have to be a lot. Just do something. Walk for 10 minutes. Then next week, walk 15 minutes. Keep doing a bit more and soon you will surprise yourself and you'll be feeling better. I find it easier to keep up an exercise program if I find something I enjoy doing. If its something I like, I'll be more likely to stick with it rather than dread something I have to do because I should. Think of it as time to go out and play like a child, or as time for yourself. Whatever it takes, please, please, please do it. It''ll mean more room in the van. : ) Just kidding. You will be more productive and more effective in serving God if you are more fit. That my friends, is just a fact.
