Very mixed feelings there. I was so ready to be home...see people, sleep in my own bed, Chic-fil-a and chips & queso. But, so NOT ready to leave Kenya!
After a great flight to Nairobi, getting bumped up to a seat with a BED, I knew it would be hard to sit in the regular seats without being a spoiled baby. My prayer before I left was that God would put me in the seat He reserved for me, and to be open to His work around me.
On the flight from Nairobi to London, I sat with two young guys. One was a British-Arab medical student who was doing work for his last year course in Kenya. His dad is Kenyan-Arab and he lived there when he was younger. The other guy, Ernest, was on his way to Portland, OR to begin studies as a university student. He had never been out of Kenya, only in his village near Bungoma in Western Kenya and in Nairobi where he had gone to college. He had never flown, never traveled. He was a very sweet guy. As it turned out, he really needed us. It was all new to him....from how to put down the seat-tray, to using the headphones and video system, to knowing what to expect when changing flights. He asked us many questions. I enjoyed watching the other guy, I think his name was Amir, talk to Ernest. Very nice guy. I do believe that God placed me where He needed me. I was even able to pray with him before we landed. It was a great experience. But, I only slept for less than two hours!!! And the flight left at midnight, so I had already been up all day!
Then, another blessing...I was bumped to World Plus on the remaining flights! Not quite as nice as One World with the lay-down bed and nice meals that I had going, but still MUCH more room than coach! Even more, I had the opportunity to talk to Paul, a man flying to Michigan for work. We had some interesting discussions about religion. He believes in all religions...God is the same, just worship Him, but don't worry about all the "rules" of the church. Hmm. Well, that led so easily into discussion about who God is, and that the differences between religions hinges on belief in Jesus and His purpose in our Salvation. He has some "issues" with the legalism of the church, with good reason. But, even hours later as we parted, he said, "Thank you, Trena. You have given me much to think about." Again, I believe God placed me in the exact seat He wanted me! What a faithful God!
The journey did not end there. After clearing customs in Detroit, we reboarded. It was a very empty flight; no new passengers, but many dropped off. We were scheduled to land in Houston, of course, but were diverted to Dallas due to bad weather. Great! So close, yet so far! We were circling from Lufkin to Hunsville over and over, waiting for the skies to clear. They didn't. After de-planing at DFW, claiming baggage, and going back to the ticket counter, we find out that our options are very limited. Not only were many other flights to Houston delayed or cancelled, British Airways is not domestic, and has NO scheduled flights from Dallas to Houston! We would have to get on another airline...along with everyone else trying to get home. And the earliest would be the following day around noon. So, we all decided to rent cars and drive home. There were only about 40 people on the flight. It was crazy! Complete strangers were grouping together to form groups to drive together! And, we had all come from all over the world, gathering at a connecting flight in London! I rode with Laura (coming home from Iraq), Randy (on his way home from working month on-month off in Qatar), Andrea (returning from Moscow where she had been teaching 4 and 5 yr old ESL for two months) and me (from Kenya!!). How random! Who would have imagined such an ending! I can't tell you how glad I was to see Kris and Dot and Tag in Huntsville!! She met us, along with Andrea's parents, so we didn't all have to drive all the way into Houston.
I finally made it home!!! I was not able to sleep on the last flights, either. I dozed off during two Friends episodes, but was awake by the time the 30 minute show ended. So, all total, I think I slept about 3-4 hours!! I had been awake for 50 hours before finally hitting my bed! That was a GREAT night!
All in all, glad to be home, sad to be home. Grateful for the time God gave me to spend in Kenya. Thankful for the opportunities to live and serve. Anticipating what He has for me in the future.
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