Day 10, Wednesday, March 11 - Finally Home (Atlanta Group)

The "Atlanta Group" finally boarded their airplane around 2:30 pm after the fill-in flight attendant arrived from Buffalo, NY. Okay, all is well, here we go. Or not. After taxiing out to the runway, we sat for a few minutes until the pilot announced they were having trouble getting the computer to work. Hmm, that could be a problem, right?

 

At 3:09 we left Nicaraguan soil and turned north toward the U.S.  We didn't know that when we deboarded in Atlanta that we would have to walk halfway home just retrieve our bags. Well, not really, but it was a l-o-n-g walk from our gate to customs, then to the baggage carousel.

We weren't overly confident that our bags would be there because they had been checked through to Bozeman. So we were thankful when we finally saw them sliding off the ramp onto the carousel, knowing that we wouldn't have to sleep in our clothes tonight.

 

After finding our way to the exit, we boarded a shuttle for the 12 minute ride to the domestic terminal (The International Terminal is one mile from the Domestic Terminal.) then boarded another shuttle for a 15 minute ride to our hotel. A very late bite to eat, then we gratefully fell into bed about midnight.

Having most of Wednesday free until our 5:30 flight, we contemplated various activities: aquarium, downtown, serve at a soup kitchen. We opted for just laying low at the hotel resting and swimming in the pool. After a Waffle House breakfast, that is. (We had no idea that the Houston Group had eaten at Waffle House last night; we are a team even when separated!)

 

 

 

Waffle House Warriors

(Mrs. Gossack remained at the hotel to rest)

A mile and a half walk to Waffle House worked up a good appetite for those  southern waffles and grits! And God used the walk back to allow us to visit with a lady and a young man who appeared to be transients and to pray with them.

 

 

Time to board. But we still had no guarantee that we'd all be getting  on because they were overbooked to Salt Lake City. After everyone else was boarded they allowed our team on, with Mr. and Mrs. Goede still questionable....... then right at the last minute... they're on, too!

 

 

We must be getting close to home - mountains and snow!

 

A wobbly, windy landing in Salt Lake, a couple hour layover, another overbooked flight. Oh Lord, can you please allow us all to get home tonight?! Thank You! Though He didn't allow us sharing opportunities on our flights today, He did allow us to have thoughtful conversation and sweet fellowship.

 

Our last flight - into Bozeman!

Home at last! Forty two hours after leaving the Project H.O.P.E compound, we landed in Bozeman and were greeted by family members and several from the "Houston Group". We started as a team and we finished as a team!

Along with the "Houston Group", we rejoice in all the Lord did throughout the week - answered prayer, changed hearts and minds, salvation - and will treasure it all in our hearts!

 

Check back in a few days for summary comments from the team.