Getting There
3:45?!... AM?! “I’ve always wondered what those numbers on the clock were for!” Those numbers that only truck drivers and grocery store stockers ever saw - that existed mostly in the realm of mythology for most of us.
There were a surprising number of people, groups actually, at DIA at 3:45 AM... Valor’s Team India was there! But it looked like nobody was moving, just waiting in line... Finally, our line began to move, and by 4:50, everyone had their baggage checked and boarding pass in hand. We had one more chance to have parents and Peruvian sojourners put arms around one another, praise God for His incredible blessings, mercy, and grace that had brought us to this place, and implore Him to continue His blessings, go before us, and reveal Himself to us and the Peruvian children He has ordained for us to meet. “God protect us and transform us; empower us and direct us. Show us more of you and help us to make much of you.”
Then we bolted for the TSA line... The line that started all the way back at baggage claim and snaked its way - at least 15 direction changes - toward the seemingly all-powerful TSA agent whose initials alone would allow us passage! We’re never going to make it! I’ve never seen the line this long! But we quickly realized we had never seen it move this quickly, either. By 5:25, we had all sauntered to our gate. We easily had 15 minutes to spare! God is good, all the time! To Newark!..... Zzzzzzzzzz.... Wow! That was fast! I’m starving!
The descent into Newark revealed perhaps the most depressing vista of twisted pipes, rusted storage tanks, smokestacks, and all the industrial vehicles imaginable.... But we were here! Once our pod had reassembled it was a quick jaunt to our new gate, and....food! Rapturous, delicious culinary delights... ok, it was airport food that cost $12 - $15 for anything substantial, but it tasted pretty darn good!
Our spirits brightened like honey for a warring Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:27-29), and it was time for real competition: Finger Skating - yes, Finger Skating - on the airport iPads! Unbeknownst to us, we had an Olympic Caliber finger skater in Claire, who is currently the global #2 Finger Skater. Smatterings of speed card game, UNO and general chatting made the layover seem like mere minutes.... OK, we couldn’t wait to get going again!
A packed flight to Lima... Seven hours in a flying sardine can... No problem! It was clear that United Airlines can spot real talent and potential: Christian got to hold the demo equipment (inflatable jacket, seat belt, etc.) for the pre-flight safety presentation. In-flight movies, a pretty good dinner (pasta or chicken), a little sleep, and boom! We were there! After a desperately needed bathroom break we headed to baggage claim, and in a few short minutes we all had our bags... But then it happened! Air Bud, I’m serious, the drug-sniffing dog looked exactly like Air Bud! - hit hard on Liz’s bag. Tail wagging furiously, he barked at the bag, stuck his nose right in the bag, circled the bag. So Liz had to empty it out. The culprit: beef jerky and dried fruit! So those were confiscated, all was good. Finally, bringing up the rear, Mr. Z thought he could sneak by the drug dog, but just like Liz, his bag caught Air Bud’s attention. Barking, whining, wagging, the dog was on point! Again, the culprit turned out to be beef jerky, but for some unknown reason (I think they said it was about the packaging) the customs agent allowed Mr. Z to keep his beef jerky stash.
It was then that we met Larry, his sons and some of the others with Lost Children of Peru - great, wonderful people who love Jesus! They have really worked hard to plan out our itinerary so that we get the most out of our experience in Peru. They go before us to make sure we have meals, transportation, and really amazing lodging. We are so thankful for how they have already taken care of us, but even more thankful for how they take care of so many orphans in the name of Christ.
They got us to our hotel - I think it may be right on the approach to the airport! - but with a long day of travel behind us, we all slept well!
There were a surprising number of people, groups actually, at DIA at 3:45 AM... Valor’s Team India was there! But it looked like nobody was moving, just waiting in line... Finally, our line began to move, and by 4:50, everyone had their baggage checked and boarding pass in hand. We had one more chance to have parents and Peruvian sojourners put arms around one another, praise God for His incredible blessings, mercy, and grace that had brought us to this place, and implore Him to continue His blessings, go before us, and reveal Himself to us and the Peruvian children He has ordained for us to meet. “God protect us and transform us; empower us and direct us. Show us more of you and help us to make much of you.”
Then we bolted for the TSA line... The line that started all the way back at baggage claim and snaked its way - at least 15 direction changes - toward the seemingly all-powerful TSA agent whose initials alone would allow us passage! We’re never going to make it! I’ve never seen the line this long! But we quickly realized we had never seen it move this quickly, either. By 5:25, we had all sauntered to our gate. We easily had 15 minutes to spare! God is good, all the time! To Newark!..... Zzzzzzzzzz.... Wow! That was fast! I’m starving!
The descent into Newark revealed perhaps the most depressing vista of twisted pipes, rusted storage tanks, smokestacks, and all the industrial vehicles imaginable.... But we were here! Once our pod had reassembled it was a quick jaunt to our new gate, and....food! Rapturous, delicious culinary delights... ok, it was airport food that cost $12 - $15 for anything substantial, but it tasted pretty darn good!
Our spirits brightened like honey for a warring Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:27-29), and it was time for real competition: Finger Skating - yes, Finger Skating - on the airport iPads! Unbeknownst to us, we had an Olympic Caliber finger skater in Claire, who is currently the global #2 Finger Skater. Smatterings of speed card game, UNO and general chatting made the layover seem like mere minutes.... OK, we couldn’t wait to get going again!
A packed flight to Lima... Seven hours in a flying sardine can... No problem! It was clear that United Airlines can spot real talent and potential: Christian got to hold the demo equipment (inflatable jacket, seat belt, etc.) for the pre-flight safety presentation. In-flight movies, a pretty good dinner (pasta or chicken), a little sleep, and boom! We were there! After a desperately needed bathroom break we headed to baggage claim, and in a few short minutes we all had our bags... But then it happened! Air Bud, I’m serious, the drug-sniffing dog looked exactly like Air Bud! - hit hard on Liz’s bag. Tail wagging furiously, he barked at the bag, stuck his nose right in the bag, circled the bag. So Liz had to empty it out. The culprit: beef jerky and dried fruit! So those were confiscated, all was good. Finally, bringing up the rear, Mr. Z thought he could sneak by the drug dog, but just like Liz, his bag caught Air Bud’s attention. Barking, whining, wagging, the dog was on point! Again, the culprit turned out to be beef jerky, but for some unknown reason (I think they said it was about the packaging) the customs agent allowed Mr. Z to keep his beef jerky stash.
It was then that we met Larry, his sons and some of the others with Lost Children of Peru - great, wonderful people who love Jesus! They have really worked hard to plan out our itinerary so that we get the most out of our experience in Peru. They go before us to make sure we have meals, transportation, and really amazing lodging. We are so thankful for how they have already taken care of us, but even more thankful for how they take care of so many orphans in the name of Christ.
They got us to our hotel - I think it may be right on the approach to the airport! - but with a long day of travel behind us, we all slept well!
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