Second/Third Day?

The second day started with my alarm going off and Ina standing over me. As I turned off my alarm he asked, “Are you awake yet?” I thought to myself. Yes. I both got ready and then went down stairs to enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast. On the way Ian and I met others who were also going to Africa. It was during this conversation that Ian declared that he wished he was my brother. We are off to a great start. Breakfast was very good. Then we waited forever for transpiration to the airport. Dr. Tullos had to sit in the back of the van with many suit cases surrounding him and one on his lap. Once we arrived at the airport we went through security with no problems and boarded the flight to Africa!

This flight was intense. It was a 13 hour flight. Luckily I was sitting by Jill Taylor. We shared common interests about the Northern states and had watched “The Dilemma” together. After two and a half hours in we were officially bored. We enjoyed our airline meals for the first time and tried to take naps, which were not successful. On my other side sat tinny little Ethiopian lady. She did not speak any English, but that’s ok because when I helped her turn off her screen when she was trying to sleep, all that was needed was a smile.  The highlight of this flight was me deciding not to use the restroom for the full 13 hours flight, which I succeeded. However, after getting off the flight there was not a restroom till we got on the next plane. Nice. This next four hours flight was not enjoyable, We didn’t have tv’s and I sat by a strange, restless, large, smelly, man. This was not enjoyable. Once we landed in Lusaka we were so ready to be done with planes and it was nice to walk and then sit on a bus and look out big windows at the African landscape as we drove to our hotel. The hotel we are staying is very nice, I have a room to myself which is a plus. I hope to have a restful night before we drive to the mission.

Thank you for all your prayers and support as we continue to travel.

Thanks

Ben

First Day

The first day started with waking up and finishing some last minute packing and then going to breakfast with Garrett at McDonalds. Then I met up at the Reynolds and started packing the vans to go to the airport. The trip to the airport was nice. I went with the Pharm. Students and got to know them a little better. We arrived at the airport around lunch time. I didn’t have anything to eat but a bag full of delicious bread provided by Mrs. Lowery. It was really good and served as a good lunch as I slowly finished off what bread was left in the bag. Thank you Mrs. Lowery!  We met a couple there who was waiting with us to get their luggage checked. It was fun interacting with them and sharing information about our upcoming trips. As we boarded the flight to Chicago there were some problems. They accidently checked Dr. Weaver off the plane and gave her spot someone else. This had to be corrected before we could leave, and resulted in a twenty minute delay. The trip to Chicago was fun. I sat with Ian, and Tessa, behind me sat Anna, and Kari. We had fun as we looked through the Air Magazine and made fun of all the strange products that were for sale and also found a questionable brochure that will not be discussed. After landing in Chicago we had thirty minutes to grab something to eat and then board the next plane. Since we were in Chicago we had to get the deep dish pizza served at the airport. I completely realize that it was not the real Chicago deep dish pizza, but it still felt good. After eating we boarded the plane, and then we sat, and sat. There was a sensory weather piece on the plane that was not operating correctly and had to be removed and replaced. This resulted in an hour delay on our flight to Washington. Luckily I was sitting next to Ian and on the other side of me sat Jill, and Dr. Weaver.  On this flight they had tv, and music play lists to listen to and watch. I ended up watching The big band Theory, and The Defenders. After landing in Washington we went and got our bags and then received directions from a man that had to teeth and a very large tongue to the bus loading area where we waited forever, played eye spy, name that song, and uno. We finally arrived at the Shearton, which is a very nice hotel. I am rooming with Ian. Here at the Sheraton you have to pay for internet, so I am not surfing the web. I hope to be able to sometime soon. That’s all for now, ready for Zambia! 

Update!

We just had our last meeting before we leave for Zambia, I received my itinerary and so I have some updates/corrections.

We will meet up in Searcy Tuesday morning and take a van up to Memphis where our flight departs at 2:30 to Chicago. Then our flight at Chicago leaves at 6:00 flying to Washington and arriving at 8:50. There we will spend the night and depart the next day (Wednesday) at 12:00 pm arriving at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday morning at 7:45 am! Thats a distance of 7187 miles! a 12 hour and 45 minute flight!We depart Ethiopia that morning at 9:30 am and arrive at Harare, Zimbabwe at 12:45pm. From there we fly in to Lusaka, Zambia and then take a bus to Namwinga. That is the full travel schedule and times so you can be praying for us as we travel.

Time to start packing!

God Provides

I am so thankful for all the ways I have been blessed this semester. Thank you all for your prayers and support! I I'm overwhelmed with all the donations I have received from you all. Thank you so much!

Change in plans. Our flight plans have changed recently, instead of leaving on Monday, the 15th we are leaving on Tuesday the 16th. Please continue to keep my group in your prayers as we travel. We will leave early Tuesday morning and fly to Memphis, and then from Memphis to Washington. In Washington we will spend the night and then fly to Rome only to stop in the airport (bummer) and then into Africa. I am so excited! I've been slowly gathering things for the trip this semester and getting my shots and now its finally time to start packing it all. We have our last Zambia meeting before we leave Tuesday (tomorrow) to go over the plan one more time!

This week I am very busy keeping up with finals, packing to leave school and packing for Zambia. Also, as many of you know I am graduating this weekend too on the 14th! So I am very busy but I know God will provide me with peace.

Again thank you for all your prayers and support!