Thursday, August 5
I woke up about 5:00 a.m., so decided to get dressed and get ahead of everyone. We got down to the lobby and there were several other people waiting for the shuttle also. We got to the airport and unloaded, then got into the correct international line. I then remembered that I wanted to mail the book back to Valerie at the hotel, but completely forgot. One of the workers at the airport said he would drop it in a mail box for me. There are NO mailboxes in the LA airport.
We went through the lemming wait of passengers going through "security." There were so many TSA women that had almost nothing to do. There were three lines to go through baggage check. In the second line, one female just stood at the head of one line and waved people on to the next level and fussed with her hair when she wasn't using her hand. Other women walked up and down the long first passenger line barking orders about boarding passes. I am sorry, but to me there are too many employees doing not much of anything in the way of security and probably getting paid way more than their civilian counterparts, and it really does not make security any better, just more inconvenient. JMHO
We got to the baggage screening place and they found something suspicious so we went through a second screening. Turned out to be computer wires and sea salt Henry bought for gifts. The two men were really kind about having to go through our carry-on luggage. I suppose it is better to be safe than sorry, and it is a good thing we got to the airport a few hours before needed. No longer can you just get there at the last minute.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
This morning Joe had his third scheduled driving road test. It did not work again. The car we borrowed has an engine check light on and the DMV would not let Joe take the test. The owner said he has had the problem checked numerous times and the problem cannot be found; nevertheless, DMV said no. While down there Henry decided to renew his license and that process took about three hours of waiting. Much like Japan. Then again, getting through DMV is not a swift thing on most days.
We again tackled the luggage thing and I think it is down to what we are finally going to take. One more checked bag would be convenient; Henry wants to save the fees. I said we have wasted lots of money on this trip, especially all the stuff poured into the now-wrecked car. We shall see if we can get another bag, just to lessen the weight in the others if nothing else. We fly out tomorrow evening. This trip is quickly coming to an end.
Monday, August 2, 2010
This morning we went down to Solomon's Island Rescue Department so Henry could get a physical for the life insurance policy he wants. The EMS lady who does it lives down there; she had her two kids in the station. I really liked the shirt on the one five-year-old.
The physical went well. Some of the people at the department go to Pastor D's church; the one we were in the last Wednesday in June.
This afternoon we tackled the task of packing and making things fit into as few pieces as possible. The domestic flight Wednesday will probably charge us for the checked luggage, 4 pieces so far, and they are close to the 50 pound weight limit. It was much easier when the limit was 70 pounds and checked luggage was free.
Meanwhile the face is nicely turning darker red and blue. I could be a bandit without the mask now.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
This morning the bruising is starting to creep to my right eyebrow. I could cover some of it with face powder and my hair, but it will have to go as is.
It is Missions Emphasis Sunday at IBC today. Two missionaries are in the service. The Bunnells served in Russia for a few years and now have a ministry in London, reaching the Muslims in one part of that city. He said they were given three buildings to "revive" the area and they will set up a church and outreach area from there.
He said recently while in London on a Sunday he went to a place in Hyde Park called Speakers Corner where probably 30 people just talked about anything they wanted. One guy was dressed in pink and said that if everyone would wear pink it would be a better world…one of the crazies. Another large group was two guys shouting at each other. One, a supposed Christian, was yelling vile things at a Muslim and he doing the same in return.
As Mr. Bunnell listened to this, a Muslim came up to him and engaged him in conversation. The man ended up saying something about the Muslims taking over London and then doing the same in the USA. Well, the Holy Spirit spoke to Mr. Bunnell to calm down and tell this man about the gospel. So for the next hour he quietly talked to the man and he was really interested in what was said because he had never heard that before. Mr. Bunnell had to catch a plane, so could not go further, but believes this Muslim will get saved. Mr. Bunnell has reached several former Muslims who are now ministering to their own people in the Arab world and in Europe. Muslims can be reached and converted.
The Larsons are with Reseeding America, a church planting group with our mission board. He showed a DVD about the SW USA and the need for churches among ethnic groups that are in large numbers around the bigger cities. Some men have started churches and are reaching a diverse group of people including Cambodians, Mong, Philippino, Vietnamese and many others. They truly have an international church in the USA. We gave Peter's email address to Mr. Larson since Peter wants to start a church sometime in the not-too-distant future.
I took photos of Sara, Anna Gill and Anna Long, who are all MKs and born within three weeks of each other. Sara has enjoyed these new friends.
Also took another family photo, but with out me in the picture for obvious reasons.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Henry made calls to some local pastors to help us out a little this morning. Henry is going over to the towing lot and check out the car to see if it is possible to drive back to MD. We are not sure what the insurance will cover. Meanwhile Sara and I waited at a Red Roof Inn.
We called Ken and Mary Gill to let them know we did not make it back last night and told them what happened. They offered to pick us up if we needed it.
I am doing fine, the swelling has gone down quite a bit and I can cover the bruising with my hair for now; it will get worse over the next few days, I am sure. The lady at the front desk allowed us to move into another room temporarily with the luggage, so they could clean the one we were in. Sara and I lugged everything from the car and our big luggage to the other room.
Day 1 of
bruising
When Pastor Ogden and Henry got back from the towing yard, he said the car is not salvageable and will probably be totaled by the insurance company. The back right door cannot open and the left one is sticky. The frame is bent. Henry also said they went to two car rental dealers and neither had one-way rentals. We thanked Pastor Ogden for his kindness; gave him a picture I had of us three years ago and he said we could call him if we needed.
We decided to call Ken and Mary; this was about noon and they would be here after 3:00 p.m. Meanwhile we waited in the new room, careful not to get on the beds or make a big mess. The Gills arrived about 3:30 and we loaded their van and headed up US 81 toward Northern Virginia. After stopping for dinner at a Subway, we got back to their house about 7:30. I managed to do the laundry for the week. Matthew came over after work about 11:00 p.m. My face was bruising nicely, just like the ER doctor said it would—the swelling would go down, the bump get softer and the blood under the skin would gravitate down toward my eyes and cheeks. It will be interesting make-up the next few days.
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