Sunday Evening 10/11/2009

It is 7:15 Houston time and we are on the flight from Houston to Amsterdam, our first leg of the trip to Rabondo. Paula and I are on the same row with Paula by the window near the middle of the plane, over the wings. Carlos and Tommy are in the rear of the plane in their seats, Tommy working on his solitaire fix and Carlos watching a movie.

Since we had to revise our plans after the shipping container did not arrive when it should last month, we were told and were under the impression that we could each only bring one checked bag of 50 pounds or less, with any additional bags costing $50 each. I had two bags, both of which weighed under the 50 pounds and I had resigned myself to paying the $50 dollars. The second bag had donated items specific for the trip and I did not want to donate them to another group. The suitcase containing the donated items also included a rolling duffel bag that I included just in case with the intention of leaving both bags at Rabondo.

We get to the airport and in the midst of checking in, we get our first blessing. The gentleman helping us check in allowed us to check two bags each without penalty!! It turned out that Carlos' bag exceeded the 50 pounds. I took the duffel bag out and he reorganized his bag into two and checked them both in. Tommy's bag was overweight and Paula's was under weight so Tommy removed items and placed in Paula's.

We sure looked disorganized to the people in line behind us and they may have gotten frustrated, and for that, we are sorry. But for the three of us to be able to save $50 each, THAT IS A BLESSING!!

The prayers of the saints are surely covering us and we are grateful.