Yes, we arrived at the Delta counter before the counter was even open, we were that early. But we were leaving nothing to chance. Which is why when we walked over to the Delta area, the words from the lady also checking in using the kiosks made our hearts sink. We were walking over to check on our flight, and she looked at us, and said "Well, I guess you guys also didn't get notified that the flight was cancelled". Ugh, heart keep beating, lump in throat. What! Really! Then she left. I started frantically trying to check status when another guy across the way told us it was the 5:30AM flight that was cancelled. The 6:40AM flight was still on time. Me and the boys collectively just finally started breathing again, which is important for the remainder of the trip. We were number two in line when the counter opened up for the day, and quickly made our way through security.
Sam and Davis had been on a plane before as little ones, but had no memories of those trips, so it was fun to experience these first adventures with them. We stopped just inside security and waited for a bagel shop to open up for breakfast. While we were there extremely early, you did not hear one complain from any of us. The bagels were very good. And I think our only memories from waiting at the gate in Birmingham, was of the guy sitting directly in front of us just letting a fart rip. I meant it was no holding back, out there for everyone, and no recognition of it. Just kept on staring out at the tarmac at the plane. After a quick glance at the boys to see if they had also witnessed this event, we all realized that quick glances are conducive to bits of elementary giggles...but we contained them the best we could.
On the plane, we started getting nervous again, as they had to delay our departure for 20 minutes to allow for some folks working their way through security (Wow, that would have been nice the day before if they did that for us). But we only had a 58 minute layover in Atlanta, and I knew we would not be coming into the international terminal. But we enjoyed our first flight to Atlanta, Davis taking dibs on the window seat. And then upon arriving in ATL, I got my first call from Brandon Rawls, saying, you guys coming, they are about to start boarding the flight to Honduras. And we were not yet off the plane from BHM. So off we got and starting our trek to the International terminal. Brandon had given me the gate in terminal F...well, as I thought, we arrived in Terminal A. So I was texting Brandon as we rode the tram from terminal to terminal, and when we finally arrived at F, he told me hurry up, they will close the doors in 5 minutes. So up we went to the main level, and out to our gate where we were not the last on the plane, but definitely pushing things to the limit. Serenity now, that was too close. Exit row seats, and sam took the window seat. Then after an extremely crazy early rising morning...as soon as we were in the air, I fell out asleep...apparently so did Sam. We did wake up for most of the flight, as both Sam and I watched the baseball movie 42, while Davis watched "Free Guy".
On arrival in Honduras, we finally were able to meet up with the Clemons, who had stayed at a local Hilton in San Pedro Sula the night before while waiting for us to arrive. Our bus to campamento had picked them up, and they waited for us to arrive at the airport. Arriving in San Pedro Sula was different this trip, as previously we landed in the major city of Tegucigalpa. Tegucigalpa is somewhat surrounded by barbwire and guys with large guns. San Pedro Sula, or at least the airport, is somewhat away from the city, and seemed reflective in the lower amounts of guns and barbwire. Customs was an extremely long line that took easily over an hour to get through. But after thru and collecting our bags, it looked like there was definitely a crowd there for someone's arrival, but not for us...they slowly parted to let the large group of us through into the lobby.
Tegucigalpa was currently closed to only domestic flights, and the other closer airport Palmerola was booked. So our arrival at San Pedro Sula left us with a 5 hour drive to Campamento. We did get a couple of bathroom stops, which included a stop for Little Caesars for lunch. But a 5 hour bus ride through the mountains of Honduras is an adventure in itself. There is a picture below of a guy standing in his truck, which looked like it also had a cow in the back of, riding down the highway. We also were passing an 18 wheeler at one point, when I car passed us as we were passing the truck...yes, there are no rules on the highways, just suggestions. Constant sounds of horns, not as we use them to warn or show anger, but to them it appeared to be a loud form of "Excuse me, I am about to pass you, GET OUT OF MY WAY". I have videos but they do not do it justice, it was seriously like an amusement park ride in certain areas. Crazy.
I do remember one discussion on the way, as we passed a number of animals all along the roads, and Justin Clemons mentioned that there should be a way to tell the roosters from the chickens around here. Scott Vinsant shared that he just needed to ask his dad about that. :) But one of the funniest moments was at one stop where none of us were getting out, but the bus was filling up with gas. Sonja, recognizing that we were not planning to get out, looked outside to ask "Why is Davis out there helping with the gas". She had completely mistaken him for one of the local Honduran boys...something that we were all afraid might happen. Davis tapped her on the shoulder from behind...Right here.
But finally we made it to Campamento, and into the Day Care just in time for supper. A large group from Texas were already there, and had been able to worship at the church in town (Still sad we missed this opportunity), but they knew we were tired, and let us move to the front of the line for supper. Which was amazing. BBQ chicken and mashed potatoes. They feed us well here. More later. We stayed basically to our Chelsea group on this night, but would connect more and more with the Texas group throughout the week. I was finally able to learn the story of the 8 that traveled to ATL the night before, and they had their share of fun that morning as well. Apparently dropping off a rental car at the ATL airport is a challenge in itself, and they had to truck it over to the international gate, also barely making it thru security. But we all made it safe. We all joined in a short worship, with me fighting to stay awake on this Lords Day. I was completely exhausted. I can't remember the last time I have been this exhausted...As a group began a game of Goat Lords right beside my bed, my eyes closed...never hearing the game...never seeing the lights go off...but remembering the looks in our groups eyes when we thought this week would not happen...and remembering the smiles of everyone today as we finally made it.
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