Getting There

It's quite amazing how time flies.  We are in the DR now but our last post noted a need of $1500 that remained outstanding but seemed well within reach considering how God had provided thus far.  Within 24 hours that exact amount was met.  GOD MOMENT!!!!

Then, we submitted our numbers to the spreadsheet person who promptly found an additional need of around $400.  Prayers immediately went out.  We didn't blog about it because that would seem rather shady.  But within a couple days of figuring out exactly where the shortage came from the funding came in abundance.  God is so good.  All that seemed a confirmation of Gods hands on this trip.

We gathered up all the batons in the hands of Jillian and myself and invested many hours distributing them to willing and capable carriers.  After more than a couple meetings we could pour ourselves into packing and preparing.

Packing was actually pretty easy.  If you typically wear it in a normal week, bring it.  This was no quick visit.  We've got to last a bit.  We squeezed it all in and without a single scale in the house, hoped for the best when checking our luggage.  The airlines allow 50 lbs per checked bag.  We were over by a few pounds on my bag and so we opened up on the floor and distributed stuff until we passed.  Then another bag went on.  26 lbs over!!!  There is no way we were going to spread that out. Then, we discovered, because of a scheduling snafu, Jill had a different kind of ticket that allowed her 20 extra pounds per checked bag.  GOD MOMENT!

When we got on the plane there wasn't enough space for all the carry-ons.  Miah had to gate check her bag.  The steward said he would bring a claim ticket. He never did.  We disembarked in Newark and immediately asked about the bag.  The agent asked for a ticket...and that was the beginning of that little adventure.  I went on a long walk, got turned around by TSA (they can yell the word "sir" with the greatest amount of contempt) and we left Newark, heading to the Dominican Republic, with one less bag.

Our flight was otherwise completely uneventful.  We arrived and started unpacking.  We couldn't find  toothbrushes, one flip flop, and shorts.  It was a bit unsettling in a new place, language and ministry while missing some basic comfort items.  And as we waited Miah's bag was delivered, shorts were found and toothbrush discovered.  All told, somehow, we lost a single flip flop between Buffalo and the Dominican Republic.  We made it!

Thanks for all your prayers.  Keep them coming!!!