The weather was blustery with snow showers, biting wind, and beautiful sunshine. Beginning at 1:00PM today our friends and family came to the church to pray with us, wish us well, give us great big hugs and, yep, some tears were shed. Our energy level is high and the excitement among the team is heart warming. We are grateful to Todd Davis who drove the church van which had the church trailer attached to carry all our baggage. Eight team members traveled in the van and I drove my car with the other five of our group.
In Danville, about 8 miles south of Bloomsburg the van-team had to stop and rearrange the bags as the weight caused the trailer to sway too much. Oh, and the doors of the trailer had to be closed, too! The solution was to put heavier bags in the front of the trailer! Todd drove the team south to pick-up Sandra and meet us at the Philadelphia airport where we are staying for the night.
Team members with me were "up" for a tour of Philadelphia, so we meandered along West River Drive, Ben Franklin Parkway, South Broad Street, Washington Square, Society Hill and then on to Isgro's Paticceria on Christian Street for the cannoli. After a trip by Geno's and Pat's Cheesesteaks, we headed toward the hotel.
By 6:30PM the team was reunited, luggage was in rooms, and we went to dinner. During dinner some of the team shared stories about how they came to be called to this trip. All stories had a common denominator of our Rwanda "Energizer" Sister, Leslie! Her passion, love for the children, Arlene, Dr. John, and the mission touched each of us. Some folks also shared their deep emotions regarding the children, and the strong call to serve those so whose lives were so dramatically changed because of hate.
After dinner, our fearless organizer Paul announced we needed to be on the 3:30AM or 4:00AM shuttle to the airport. Yea! Some of the team thought about foregoing sleep altogether!
All-in-all we are together, united by our love of the Lord, and ready to serve wherever He will have us serve. God is great all the time...All the time God is great!
Tomorrow....ROME!!! (for 50 minutes), ADDIS ABABA!!! (for 60 minutes), then on Monday, KIGALI!!! and onto the Urukundo Home for Children!!!
Thank you all for your prayers, fasting, and thoughts during our trip! We are SO blessed!
Brother Ed
(The pictures from today include the team and the van send-off!)
(The pictures from today include the team and the van send-off!)
