January 7, 2008

This is the day it is really going to happen. We met Jack Eberhardt and Sam Ramdial in the hotel lobby at 5:00 am. Caught the shuttle to the airport. Checked in with all six of our bags. Ate a small breakfast. And got on the plane to Miami.

As we set on the plane we realized it would have been impossible for us to be on this plane without the help and support of a lot of wonderful friends that have helped us so much. This really is a team effort and we can’t thank each of you enough for the help and support you’ve given us and continue to give us. Thanks!!!

In Miami by the time we got to the terminal for our flight to Honduras we had about 10 minutes before they started boarding. Not bad time, huh? While we were on the plane waiting for the rest of the passengers to board Cindy called our daughter and then got to speak to our granddaughter Camille. Not such a good idea. Cindy cried for quite awhile after she hung up the phone.

Our flight from Miami to Honduras was very bumpy which didn’t make things any better for Cindy she HATES to fly. We touched down in Honduras around 12:30 local time. Immediately exiting the aircraft you realize you are in a completely different culture. This is not the orderly culture we are accustomed to. All of our bags did make it and our rides were waiting for us after we got through immigration and customs. After some disagreement over the amount of the tip with the gentlemen who took our bags to our vehicles we loaded up and were on our way to a non-stop week of activities. No need to let the new people get adjusted to their new lives.

We grabbed a bite to eat at the local Burger King. Yep, that’s right, Burger King. Except the menu is all in Spanish but the pictures were big help with ordering. After eating we loaded up the vehicles for the two hour drive from the capital to a town called Danli. If you’ve never been to a developing country driving is an adventure. As one of our teammates said “Why in this culture are they so laid back and unconcerned about time except when they get behind the wheel and then they drive like maniacs.” Boy is that ever true. Nobody follows the passing no passing zone markings on the road. They pass on curves, hills, and anywhere else they decide they want to pass. Semi’s and buses are the worst about this. “Relaxing” and “driving” are never two words that are used together in this country.

We arrived at Danli, checked into our rooms and then had a meeting with a couple of the pastors from that area of the country. These are such poor people but they love God and want so much to share the gospel with those who have not heard. It was a very enjoyable evening. The only frustrating part was not being able to speak Spanish and everything having to go through an interpreter. After the meeting we all went out to eat together. It’s fun trying to order in our limited Spanish and hope you are getting what you wanted.