And We're Off

I am slightly closer to Africa than I was yesterday. I had a flight to Dulles, then a planned stay overnight with the woman that I am traveling with, or rather supposed to be traveling with. When I got to the hotel last night there was a message for me at the front desk- she wasn't coming. She had a very rough day yesterday and due to flight delays and problems was unable to make her scheduled flight or any flights after that. Trying to travel within the US right now is insane (thanks Spring Break!). I am now traveling the rest of the way alone.

Obviously, this is a huge change of plans, and a scary one. The dynamic of the trip changes considerably, and while I have no issues with riding on a plane by myself, it will be significantly harder to navigate the transitions alone. I am specifically praying that I will have a smooth check-in and that they will let me keep both of my carry-ons, and I will have no problems when I change planes in Africa. On Monday morning I should be arriving at my destination. I need prayer. Although I have been prepared for what to expect, I know that it will be very daunting and that there are a number of things that could go very wrong. Please pray for courage and protection, that I would not be detained, and that I would find my escorts immediately.

When the woman behind the front desk at my hotel handed my the little sticky note with trip-altering message on it, I was like, "Really God? Really? You want me to do this by myself?" Apparently the answer to that is "yes." I'm actually doing fine, which I attribute to lots and lots of prayer. I got a decent night's sleep, and am looking forward to a long hot shower with lovely clean water and a good breakfast. It's probably the last time I will have either of those two things for almost a month, so I intend to enjoy them. On a funny side note, in the flurry of emails that went around last night regarding the travel issues, the woman who runs the non-profit that has assisted us described me as "seasoned" and "well traveled." It made me laugh, because I have been outside of the United State four times. Twice to Mexico on church trips to visit an orphanage (one of those being a day-trip, the other two days), once to Paris with my mom, and, of course, to Uganda. Honestly, I don't even know if those Mexico trips should count since I was eight on one of them. The point is, I am not a traveler. When Jeff and I plan trips for ourselves we go to [pick your adjective: boring, nice, quiet] places like Wisconsin and Indiana. Don't misunderstand, I adore Africa and I am excited to go back, but that is not because I love to see new places, it's because my son is there. For my son, I will endure this "seasoning"- because sometimes a little seasoning is the price you pay for your kids. I just got my "wake up" call, which apparently was unnecessary, but that means it is time to get ready to go. I know this is getting redundant, but please pray. I really need it. Also, pray for my friend who missed her flight- she has to contend with a harder situation than I do, as her remaining flights are unconfirmed.