Our free day Monday was an absolute blast! All of our team, some of the Hope of Honduras Home kids, Pastor Sam and his family, and some of the Teen rally guys came. We had a tour under a huge huge waterfall that was slippery and scary! I'll let the others fill you in on the details, I'll say it reminded me of about 10 fire hoses 5 feet from your face trying to drown you all at the same time. Really. Everybody zip lined - 10 stops - one kilometer and 4 of them over that huge waterfall. Super amazing - and kinda scary. I had to remind myself to stop, open eyes, and enjoy. I reminded myself that no one else had fallen off!
Their staff was funny and tried to scare us sometimes. We had BBQ chicken and refried beans and some other stuff that I don't know the name of for lunch around the pool. After coming back, Pastor Matt had a crew serving up all you can eat tacos and quesadillas. We followed up with our last night of sharing back at our hotel. It was a sweet and meaningful time.
Our flights home were interesting and L O N G. We got to the airport early - good thing as it took 2 hours just to check in. Some of our bags were overweight (we had no scale to check them). I really think the airline scale was off as our sound system was packed the same way and then weighted 56 pounds instead of 50. Thankfully the Delta staff let it go - I told them it was all one piece and couldn't be removed. The suitcase was falling apart and TR and David had duct taped it all over, but duct tape doesn't weigh 6 pounds... We had to pull out things of suitcases and stuff into others and it was kinda chaotic - but finally done. After customs we were at the gate and then about 8 of our people were called by name and had to go to the checked luggage area and open suitcases. They asked about some of the leftover dirt in our game pins and took mosquito spray and hairspray (only from some of us!). Our flight was delayed hour and half due to all this checking. When we finally could board, even though we had all gone thru security they searched every bag we had, again.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, we were hoping to make our next flight...if everything went right, we might. But alas, we sat on the tarmac for another 30 minutes after landing due to congestion and a thunderstorm that happened before we arrived. We hurried off thru immigration and reclaimed our suitcases - but no Abigail. The immigration people had stopped and questioned the Perez family - but kept Abigail a long time - like 45 minutes. They would not let me go back to check on her - I asked several people. We sent everyone ahead to try and make the plane, David and Jessica stayed with me and our bags. The next flight had been delayed so we hoped the others would make it. FINALLY Abigail comes running and we get into the security line. We ask people to be allowed to get in front of them as much as possible, finally get thru security. Our people tell us they are going to give away our seats to the stand by's if we don't get there (even though the pilots were also delayed...no one told us that) and we removed shoes to run as fast as possible. Atlanta is a BIG airport. After running and running we arrive and they check our carry ons and we climb on the plane - only to sit for at least another 30 minutes waiting for the pilots. Our people had insisted they not give our seats away! Sarah had kindly bought me some kind of starbucks type drink - and I loved it. I stuck it in the seat back to get situated and when I tried to take it out it exploded - all over me, the seat and the guy across the aisle one row ahead of me!
Many of our people were really sick with stomach issues (maybe from the food the day before) and they were having a hard time.
Upon arrival - yeah! - in Tampa, 6 our our suitcases had not made it. The bus went ahead with the luggage with our people while the Sharits family waited with me to file the claims. It's Wed afternoon and all the luggage is here now...
Our own beds felt really good. We are all glad to be back and despite the heat and difficulties, glad to have been given the opportunity and privilege to go!
Will put more pictures up as we can.
Praying for fruit that remains.
Denise
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| TR and his cane go zip lining! |
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| Happy Guy! |
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| Joy Conover |
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| Paul! |
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| Pastor Willis |
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| Our buddy, Julian. |
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| Julianne |
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| Brianna |
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| Tina goes zip lining!!! |
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| Mary hanging on! |
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| Ginger, not afraid at all! |
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| Ginger lovin' life! |
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| Mary! |
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| Our photographer and tech support guy, David. |
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| Abigail |
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| Robin! |
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| Denise! |
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| Denise over waterfall. You went over it 4 times. |
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| Wheeeeeee! |
