Well, we started out with icy roads Saturday morning! They were pretty much a sheet of ice in some places! I was so happy I did not have to drive on them. Sharon Martin had the fartherest to drive and we ended up picking her up in the Kmart parking lot because she could not drive up the hill. It was nasty stuff. So we started quite a bit later than we planned and then we met up with lots of other folks who were scared to drive and some just stopped right there in their lane and held up the traffic behind them! So we were late late LATE! Of course the traffic jams didn't help the situation and we were all thankful for my dad who was clever enough to maneuver down the middle yellow line to pass all the petrified people up. He is a good driver and got us safely to the airport and I'm sure there were angels looking out for us as well. I did not know that sometimes they change carriers if you have a layover on your flight. All the times I've flown local and international, it was just one carrier. So I had glanced at my itinerary and saw American Airlines and told Dad confidentally to drop us off there at that gate. So he did and we were just like 25 min. before flight time....and of course needed to go through security and check in yet. We were nervous, knowing that you are supposed to be there 1.5 hours ahead of time, not 25 minutes! I was so sure we would miss our flight. Anyway, so we walk up to the counter expectantly hoping to shove through as fast as possible. Well, the attendant kindly informed us after looking at our agenda that we are starting out US AIRWAYS, not American Airlines! We were not to get American Airlines til we get to Ft. Lauderdale Florida! AAAAAGH! So we ran as fast as we could with our big klutzy suitcases, 3 each! You know it's not very convenient to run with all that stuff! But it was just one gate down so we ran in the rain. The lady said we might want to wait on a shuttle but we were outta there like lightening! We didn't want to miss our flight! So we found the correct counter finally and then while they were trying to check us in the computer shut them out because the cut off time was right then, we were too late. I didn't see it but my sis said they as much as rolled their eyes and mumbled "interesting". Apparently they were not impressed with us but they kindly overroded the computers and send us through miraculously fast! Also, because I had been looking at American Airlines online I had seen we do not have to pay for luggage check-ins. Well, US Airways charges so we paid $60 for checking in our luggage. We were peeved, especiall me because the girls were not expecting this and I was kinda in charge so I felt responsible. We were at the tale end of the line of people at the gate, 15 minutes before flight time. However once we were in the plane, because of the icy runway...I guess, or maybe it was just the weather making the flight time behind schedule but anyway we sat there 51 minutes because we were number 12 in line for takeoff. Well, I wasn't too concerned, just relieved to be on there in time. The flight went well once we were up. It was fun to be with my sister on her first flight. To see her enjoy being above the clouds and experience how it feels for takeoff and landing. It was noneventful which was fine with me.
We landed in FT. Lauderdale exactly the time we were supposed to be ascending in our next plane. I did not feel like even trying to run because I was sure we would not make it. They board 20 minutes before flight time and certainly by flight time the doors are closed. But we ran anyway and it was set up different there than some airports so we went in some circles, retracing some steps and finally finding the right place....only to find out our hunch was correct, too late. The best they could do was give us a flight for 6:45 Sunday morning. I tried to see what they could do for a hotel for us since they made us late and they said it was weather and they won't take the blame for it, it's our baby to rock! However they gave us a number to call for a discount and we got a room for $99 with 2 double beds. It was a nice hotel with a pool. We weren't too upset because hey it's adventure and at least it as that cheap. $25 per person isn't bad. We used the pool and went to a cute Italian restaurant. We enjoyed a pizza.
We had to get up at 3:45AM then to get our next flight but we still got 7 hours of sleep as we went to bed early! We wanted to be there in plenty of time and we were. Security wasn't too bad. We had had to claim all our bags instead of having them go straight to Haiti so we had to check them all in again to go to Haiti with us. In other words, they did not go on ahead of us.
And, while there I either had my camera stolen or lost, not sure which. I had it in the case and hung on my shoulder and within 10 min of it being gone, I knew it. I asked everywhere I could think of and retraced my steps which was a very small area and it was nowhere. THe strap is very thin and would have been a piece of cake for someone to snip it and take it without me knowing it. So I dunno what happened. The camera is 4.5 years old and outdated in the camera world so it's not a huge loss but I really liked it, it still printed out very good pictures and I was not planning to get a new camera anytime soon. So I was not devastated but at the same time I love photography and was pretty sad not to take my own pics. I see things that are unique that others would not see because they are not me. LOL! So I was looking at the disposeable cameras but they only do 27 pics and I usually do 600-800 pics on a trip so I wasn't sure what to do. Also I know that those kind of cameras are not very good. So, while I was trying to decide someone spotted a Best Buys station with a camera identical to the one I lost, only it's an upgrade. The price was not insane either so I quickly bought it and a memory card as well. So I was grateful to God for that! I hope I can hang onto this one now and not lose it or ruin it. ANd I will be sure to call the airport and see if they found it later. I do want it back! It had several memory cards and an extra battery.
Our flight to Haiti was uneventful as well. We all agreed we like American Airlines much better than US Airways. I had never flown US Airways before and I noticed that they only give you drinks, not snacks and they don't give you the whole can, only a cup of liquid and all in all they are not as accomating as other airlines. AA gives snacks and a whole can of drink and they are so friendly and when in the plane they tell us BEFORE they start descending so that we know what's happening when we start plummeting and they tell us the altitude and all that jazz. The other airline didn't tell us as much and they told us they are descending after they were already doing it!
Debbie and a guy from the mission were waiting on us. We hopped into the back of the truck. Away we went, and I mean AWAY we went! LOL! There are no speed limits here and they drive as fast as they can handle it to get where they want to go fast! So forget the neat hair and plan on dust ALL over you because when we finally got to wash our faces, there were little rivulets of black on our faces. It was great, standing up on the back of the truck and flying so fast that you felt as if the Rapture could happen any second and spiral you on up to meet Jesus! And, flying so fast at times you felt like you could not get your breath either. The scenery was pretty, lots of mountains and a huge lake and lots of greenery and banana trees and lotsa tap-taps which are brightly colored contraptions to all things and people. People ride on top of vehicles some and ladies carry things on their heads. It was interesting trying to get pictures of everything real fast before the moment is gone. I wonder how many of my pics will get because we were flying so fast!
We briefly saw the Clinic then. Drove by it. We ate lunch at the IFM base and then piled approx. 25 people in the back of the truck because there were guys what needed to go along to the Dominican Republic. Another hair flying trip with dodging other vehicles on the road! We finally crossed the border and got to see where Debbie lives. We will be staying with her. There is a German Baptist couple who lives here. They are very nice people. Debbie has her own nice room. She will be here for at least 6 months. She came in January.
Tomorrow we will start painting the church. Debbie says we will learn to be flexible. You never know what a day holds and don't plan too much because you take it as it comes. We will not be helping in the orphanage after all. They only have 5 or 6 children. The clinic doesn't have many cholera patients anymore either, like currently only 5. So I don't know what all we will be doing, gotta take it as it comes.
We will have church every day except one day. Often girls church. Speaking of church, I must go get ready! It's time to soon go!
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