Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Journey "Home"

Sunday, June 30, 2013

As should be expected by now... We've had an interesting trip home! 

Our 11:30 pm, 8 hour flight from Entebbe to Amsterdam started with us boarding our plane that was at least 85 degrees with an announcement that we have finished boarding but we wouldn't leave for about 30 minutes because they were servicing the air condition. Praise The Lord they were working on fixing it, but why in the world would they pack us into a plane like sardines knowing the air wasn't working?! After about 45 minutes, we started our journey. 

Looking forward to starting with an overnight flight so we could sleep and pass the time, we were quite amazed when we were served a full on meal at 1:30 am. Then a snack at 2:30. And finally try turned off the lights around 4. I was able to get a good 3 hour nap and woke up to yet another meal around 6:30. 

We landed in Amsterdam with only 45 minutes to catch our flight to Manchester. Practically sprinted to the gate. Made it and even had about 10 minutes to hop on wifi. 

Short flight (but don't worry, we were still served food). Landed in Manchester. Followed signs for "flight transfers."  Found ourselves waiting in a triangular room, by ourselves, without knowing what terminal we even needs to be transferred to, because they had not yet assigned one to our Atlanta flight. 

Bus came to pick us up. Transported to the "Transfer Building." Security. Maybe 25 people in front of us. Took an hour and a half. Once we were going through we realized why. Any time they needed to talk about something, they simply stopped the X-ray belt to have their conversation. Directed to a counter where they checked our boarding passes and passports. Picked up a telephone to call the gate to let them know we were there, gave them our ticket information, passport number, and checked bag info. Have we ever heard of computers people?

Directed to a lady to escort us back down to the bus to go back to the terminal we just came from. Same bus driver. 

Finally we made it to our gate and we informed the ticket counter we were there. Security questions, more checking of passports and boarding passes. Had about 2 hours to kill. 


Found good coffee. Got on wifi. Brushed teeth and washed face. Last leg in sight. 

On last 9 hour flight to Atlanta, we were served two more meals and a snack. Watched a few movies. Composed he following lists with Rebecca to sum up our trip...

Top 5 Quotes
5. "The giraffes need practice." Tegris

4. "Dear Lord, please feed your lions." Allen

3. "I can open, but they will open fire." Guard at Murchison

2. "Do you fear the rats?" Vivian

1. "I hear there are 147 orphans in the world. You have 69?" Ridiculous Clerk in Gift Shop at Murchison

Top 10 Memories
10. Auntie Christine's testimony about not wanting to move to House 2 but being obedient and seeing The Lord has a bigger plan than we do. 

9. Baiting enchimas at park and House 1. 

8. Hand washing 27 sets of uniforms, play clothes, PJs, and knickers. 

7. Devotion conversation about marriage in Uganda and changing future generations. 

6. Teaching Aggie to swim. 

5. Sozo choir, Mato dancing, Brad breaking it down at worship at House 3. 

4. Tegris popping out of passenger window to either share pertinent information or make use of his binoculars + the 700 times we took pictures of it and laughed.

3. Base 10 + group of birds + chanting at Kitende = birth of master plan for Sozo partner schools in The Village and Birmingham. 

2. Human/Baboon/Boda-Boda dodge-van on Safari Day 2. 

1. Joining Margaret as Teacher Muzungu and receiving the greatest response -- "Thank you for loving me!"

So, we are back in Birmingham, in awe of God's outpouring of grace and love, yet longing to be half way around the world. Trusting in His sovereignty. Knowing His plan is better than our own. 

Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20

Boarding a plane on Friday to head to Honduras! 😀 So keep posted and I'll have more adventures to share!

No comments:

Post a Comment