Baggage...

We have all heard tales of baggage woes from travelers and it seemed that we were now joining the crowd - I, Sharon, had researched the baggage requirements for Copa Airlines (Panama's official airline) but somehow forgot all about that first leg on Continental from Newark to Orlando - a mere 3 hours of our journey.  Those travel savvy folks out there know my miscalculation could be expensive - $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second - both ways.  I was suddenly feeling quite anxious about baggage.

Two days later and still anxious and not coming up with a good solution brought me to prayer - funny how we don't think of that first.  Prayer it was in the Walmart parking lot. At home it was time to call the airlines and hope for mercy!  God gave me a wonderful customer service person who tried to think of every legitimate way to avoid the fees. A half an hour later she thought of the Continental Platinum Credit Card - first checked piece for each family member is free!  Yeehaw! We have 40 lbs to work with as a carry-on and our second leg with Copa allows for two 50 lb bags at no charge.

Within the hour we were on the line with Chase (not my favorite but it works) to meet a hilarious customer service person.  Her favorite line was, "After two weeks they will begin processing your request."

"Mam, we leave in 6 days."

 "After two weeks they will begin processing your request." (repeat at least 5 times - no joke)

Finally she divulged the customer service number and they walked us through the procedure and got our card overnighted.  Today we received our "passport" to one free checked bag.

Thank you, Lord for an interesting answer to prayer.  The packing is now going well...

Why go?

A number of people have asked, "Why are you all going, what got this started?"  Back a couple of years ago when the Bruce family was home on furlough we had the opportunity to do some homeschooling with them.  They also helped out watching our kids while Tim traveled and I had to take Matthew to doctor appointments. Out of those times spent together Tori and Kimberly got to be best friends and the rest of us all ended up enjoying each other.  We got thinking that Kimberly understood what our lives where like but we didn't really understand Kimberly's - wouldn't it be cool for the kids to go down and learn about Kimberly's life.  So... now we are headed down to find out more about our dear friends lives and hopefully encourage them in all the work they are doing to bring Christ to the Awa, help get some things done, and grow our friendship deeper.  We think it will be hard to beat this trip!  To God be the glory.

Some praises

Today Matthew mentioned, "Mom, I'm so glad that God kept me healthy enough to go with everybody to Ecuador."  That is a huge answer to prayer!  When we first found out that he had an immune deficiency the doctor had told us that depending on what further testing revealed it may show that things were too serious to take him out of the country.  We are so thankful that we are all going together!

The last of Matthew's medications got worked out for the trip! We had to do some modifications since they wouldn't be refrigerated and the doctor's office, pharmacists, our family worked together and it is figured out and cleared through insurance!!! Thank you, Nancy for reminding me that this was God's and I (Sharon) didn't need to be anxious about it.

Travel Prep

The nervously excited part of the trip is starting. By the grace of God we are off on our first missionary trip as a family. We have people who are house sitting - a big thank you to them and the pets appreciate it too, especially the dog! A pile of stuff is beginning to gather as we collect what we will bring down. Passports have come, shots have been given, and the to do list is still growing.

We have found out that two of our projects while we are in the mountains with Kevin & Kathy (www.mountainmissionary.info) will be building a new fence for the garden and painting the school with the school kids and parents. 

Thanks to God, Kevin & Kathy, and all those who are supporting us in this endeavor - this is where we are headed.  The spot in the middle of the picture is the Bruce's home.  Everyone is excited and a little nervous, Matthew has dreams of unending papaya and using a machete, Tori would be thrilled to have plenty but prefers that Matthew's hopes of using a machete do not materialize, Spencer is hoping to buy a machete. Mom and Dad hope that we can all go with servants hearts, be a blessing to those we are with, open our children's hearts to God's amazing world and the diverse people he has put on it and that they would develop a heart for missions and a love for other peoples. Big hopes, but all big things start with ideas and seeds sown of little steps - God's job is to grow it and harvest it His way.  We'll see what He does!