What a Weekend!

On Saturday 20 of our people arrived at TIA to leave for the DR. At the check in area we sorted through about 2000 lbs of gear and supplies needed for the trip. After getting everyone checked in and shifting weight from one bag to the next we discovered they would be delayed leaving Tampa because of bad weather in Miami. Finally 2 hours late they got underway. On approach to Miami they found bad weather and had to circle. Finally they landed but for some reason they couldn't get the cabin door open. After a long wait the door finally was opened and they rushed to make their connection. You guessed it, they missed their flight to Santo Domingo.

After a long wait  in Miami the team boarded a plan to New York. Yes, that New York! You see in order to get to the DR before early Monday morning, they had to fly to NY and then spend the night in the airport and catch a flight to the DR at 11:00 Sunday morning. 

As I write this I am assuming they have made it. You see, I am now sitting in Miami with the remaining portion of the team waiting to board our flight to the DR. You guessed it, bad weather, and we are delayed. We are not sure when we will be heading out. We hope to get there sometime tonight but as with all mission trips we are remaining patient and flexible.

One funny thing happened while still in Tampa. David Neely graciously took Michael and I from worship to the airport. There we met up with his two kids and one other team member. We had a number of supply bags with everything from medicine to food and clothing. While checking in we found we were way over weight. David agreed to take some of the supplies back to the office to be sent on a later trip. We loaded them up in an extra bag for him to take. He wanted to see his kids off at the gate so he received a special pass to go through security. After we all went through we turned around and David had been pulled from line and security was going through the extra bag he had hauled with him. You see, some of the supplies we were sending back were boxes of powdered formula and airport security doesn't like anything powdered. 

Because they wouldn't let him go any further and wouldn't let him leave the bag with them he had to say goodbye right there. Last we saw he was being escorted out with security. Caroline called him a few minutes later and found out he was escorted all the way out of the airport. Thanks David for helping us out and the sacrifice. We hope you are not on any "no fly lists" because of it.

Look for more later from the DR. If we ever all get there!

I Will...

Tim