I can't believe I'm leaving today. Thankful that Mom and Dad were in town the past couple of days to help with the packing. Somehow, I didn't get as much done as I had thought by the time they got back from vacation. The plan was to drive to Chicago after work on Friday, stay at a hotel, and take a shuttle to the airport because I would have to be at O'hare at 4am or so.
I arrived at the hotel around 7pm CST and finished sticking little things in my suitcase and carry-ons. I decided that my carry-on was not full enough, so I added a few more shirts and pants. (Eventually, I would be very grateful I did that).
In the morning, I woke up, got ready and headed to my car to drop off some things. As I left the building, I saw blood on the ground and a guy in the parking lot calling me by a different name. I told him I was not who he thought I was. I should have returned to my room and called the manager, but I didn't. I headed to my car and then to the office of the hotel to talk to the person on duty. As I entered, there was blood on the ground outside that door as well. I told the person on duty that there was a guy in the parking lot who was obviously drunk and I didn't feel safe. The attendant walked me back to my building and shooed the guy away. When I left my room to go to the office to catch my shuttle, the guy was gone, but his girlfriend was looking for him. What a start to the early morning.
I made it to the airport, checked in and waited for my flight to D.C. where I would meet up with the group from Delaware/Maryland/Virginia.
In D.C. I found everyone! It was great to see those that I knew and meet the newcomers. The team included: Billy, Keith, Tori, Rachel, Evelyn, Chuck, Lewis & Leah (President of Gospelink and his wife). I had met most of the team in previous years, so it was good to see them again.
We flew out of D.C. to Ethiopia, on to Zimbabwe and finally to Lusaka, Zambia. When we arrived in Zambia, I found that my luggage didn't find me. It had only been checked to Ethiopia, not Zambia. So, I completed the lost baggage forms. The plan was that I would not get my luggage until Thursday when the team headed out to the college.
So remember above that I had packed extra clothing in my carry-on, Praise God that He prompted me to do so! The only things I really needed were soap, towels, and bedding. That was all at the college.
After finding dinner in Lusaka, Keith, Billy and I headed to the college. We were so exhausted from traveling, that we slept part of the way to Chongwe. If you've been on Kazemba Road, you know that there is no way to try to sleep for that stretch of the trip.
I was just eager to get to the college and see the students that I knew. When we arrived at the college, we were met in the library by most of the students singing. They were singing "Welcome to Zambia). It was all I could do not to cry as I entered the library. I met a lot of the students! I also saw most of the Seniors and Mildred (the girl that my parents and I sponsor). Hugs all around!!
What an exhausting trip, but it was good! Good to be in my Zambian home!
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