TRAVEL DAYS

One by one and two by two our team trickled into airports in Midland, Tucson and Dallas early on Wednesday morning.  The excitement filled the air in Midland as friends and family helped carry in luggage and repackage medications and supplies--weighing and re-weighing bags to be sure each one was within the 50 pound weight limit.  Then all circled together for prayers and blessings.  It seemed our team was riddled with tedious issues as we began the day...issues beyond our control and absolutely random!  One by one we approached the counter and checked bags directly to Nairobi.  Krista's paperwork had a kink and the agent worked in different ways to try to clear their error.  Finally as we all prayed, her bags were checked to Kenya and her first boarding pass printed.  We boarded the plane. 

In Dallas we stopped in the jetway to claim our gate checked carryon luggage.  Cherie noticed my bag was caught in the mechanism of the luggage elevator.  We tried to pull it loose, but it was wedged in tightly.  Long story short...three times down and three times up produced a mangled and torn bag with the bottom ripped open like a tin can!  Shredded face wipes, burst bottles, crushed prescriptions could be replaced or ignored.  The cracked lens on Tim's camera was a different story!  AA replaced my carry on bag and cut a check immediately for the lens after we all did Internet research.  (Tim replaced the lens before we arrived!)

Flights and connections from that point were slick...other than seat mates, sick babies and unusual aromas!  Emerates is a wonderful airlines with terrific service.

All luggage arrived with us.  All team members gathered at Kamul safely and healthy with great anticipation!  Maureen had a delicious meal awaiting us.  Reorganization and repacking, we all found beds and slept a few hours.