Just received two updates from the team this morning. The first one is from Thursday night. The second, from last night!
Here’s the flight schedule for today…
SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010
#1775 MANAGUA TO HOUSTON 7:00 AM 11:18 AM
#2924 HOUSTON TO OMAHA 12:15 PM 2:17 PM
Some things to note:
· I checked for airport delays just a bit ago…Yesterday, Houston, TX had BIG thunderstorms and much flooding. At least in the afternoon, the airports there were shut down: no flights in or out. As of now, they are experiencing 15 minute delays with departures….(which could actually be in our team’s favor.)
· Assuming Houston is better today, PLEASE PRAY for their connection to be made there. As you can see from the schedule above, less than an hour is SUCH a short time to get 26 people through customs and onto their next connecting flight.
·
Click here for a link to Continental Airlines if you'd like to follow our team's progress!In just moments, our dear ones will be taking off and winging their way home to us! Hooray!!!!! I’ll see some of you at the airport this afternoon. And I thank all of you for your prayers, your kind thoughts and your generosity, all of which have sent and kept this team throughout their journey. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
In Him wth Joy,
Deb
P.S. If you’d continue to pray for them during their ‘re-entry’ back into home life, I know they’d so greatly appreciate it. It is a vulnerable time of fatigue and getting their bearings. Often, the enemy will attack during a team’s adjustment period after their return. Thank you so very much!
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Thursday night quick update from Bree:
Hullo! So, I’d like to tell you a story that actually just occurred. On the way back from the hospital in Managua, Victor’s truck was flagged down by two policemen. They recognized Victor’s truck. The policemen needed a ride; they had a man in handcuffs that they needed taken to police station. (All of you at home are thinking, “They didn’t have a car or anything?!?!” No, they didn’t have a car. Reality check, right?) So, the policemen and their handcuffed companion hopped in the bed of Victor’s truck, and a detour to the Masatepe Police Station was made. We have been told in the past of the amiable relationship between Victor and the police, but this was an amazing demonstration of their trust of Victor Benitez. Amazing. Apparently this is not the first time the police have requested help from Victor. God willing, this wonderful friendship will continue!
Friday night update from Linda:We have had a full day today. The girls went to see the finca (farm) where the guys have been staying. It’s the 4 acres the church owns outside town, and Victor showed us the many trees – mangoes, avocadoes, bananas, coffee. Especially interesting were the giant Guanacaste trees whose branches grow into roots, and form a tree within a tree. We went to the Mombacho volcano & rode a truck up the side of the mountain, looking down on the city of Granada & Lake Nicaragua. After driving down the mountain, ALL 26 OF US went on the zip line!!! That was a victory for members on our team who have fear of heights, to say the least, and was a lot of fun, too. After Mombacho, we had a delicious lunch of Papa John’s Pizza & Fried Chicken, fries, coleslaw & rice. With our tummies full, we went shopping and had a fun time counting out the cordobas (Nicaraguan money) we changed dollars for, and did a quick shopping trip. We surely could tell that Callie & Josee work as cashiers!! It would have been total bedlam without them helping us count back the money. The team (minus Linda) went to the isletas (tiny islands) and rode the boats in the dark, which would have been more lovely had the moon not be hidden behind the clouds. The team came to the church to check on Linda, and the Centro de Fe gave us a despedida de luces – a farewell of lights – with several fireworks. At 5 PM, Linda left the market by taxi to return to Masatepe. Angela had baked & frosted two cakes, and Linda decorated them for the women’s meeting. (Lest you be too impressed, it must be shared that Linda had forgotten all her decorating supplies at home!) The message Linda shared was primarily a testimony & encouragement to the women that God is faithful. He loves us and cares for us. He is worthy of our all. The ladies enjoyed Angela’s cakes & celebrated God’s faithfulness. Nine of our girls, (including Bree, which explains why Linda is doing this update), plus Joe & Jon Harvie packed their suitcases after church, and accompanied Victor to an all-nighter in Managua. They’ll be home about 1 AM, but since all are packed, they’ll have a few hours’ sleep before we leave at 4 AM for the airport. Victor asked them to do the Step Up to Life skit and for Jon to play his guitar for the youth. The rest of us are packing, showering (I can hear the mothers cheering at that news, even from this far away!) and getting a few hours’ sleep before our departure. I make no promises about the aroma of their dirty clothes, Moms, but we have water tonight, and their team shirts have been washed for the trip home, so hopefully that will make them huggable to you. There has been a downpour every day, so we did get into a little mud from time to time. Your kids will be tired (but I’m sure you expected that) but they will be full of stories of what God has done in and through them this week.
