Friday -- "To fly.....or not to Fly"

Friday – “To fly…..or not to fly”

All day Thursday we were in constant contact with our travel agent.  Due to the devastating fire at the International Airport in Nairobi, all flights have been in question.  The airport was closed for several days; reports were that a few flights had resumed, but no concrete confirmation that ours was.  Back and forth…..do we pack, or not??  Finally, by late afternoon our agent reported that he had word from their Swiss agent that it was confirmed!  Packing complete.

Friday morning……off to the airport.  The three of us from Houston left to meet the rest of our team in D.C.  Apparently even in our instant communication era news does not always connect, for United in DC insisted that the Nairobi airport was closed and there would be NO flights!  They even told our teammate from DC to go home for there would be no flights and there was no point in checking in!  She was patient….and persistent, and they reluctantly allowed her to check in, though still insistent that she would be stranded in Zurich (our connection point to Nairobi).  The rest of us had some of the same as we transferred in DC; same news…..you will not be able to continue from Zurich.  At that time, we had a friend returning to the US from Malawi who was at that very time in the Nairobi airport in the make-shift tent erected for arrivals and departures, so we knew it was open.  We were told to proceed on to Zurich “at our own risk……”  After an hour delay on the tarmac, we lifted off for the journey to Zurich, knowing that now our transfer margin was reduced to about 20 min.  Not good.  We had to get boarding passes and such, so the minute we landed and exited the plane, we rushed to the next gate, procured boarding passes and quickly boarded the plane……yes, to Nairobi!  After the up and down, go and no go journey, at last, we arrived in Nairobi Saturday evening!

We had jokingly said that the immigration/ visa process would probably be more efficient than usual with all the sudden adjustments….and truly it was!  We entered the large immigration tent, stood in a shorter than usual line and in the shortest amount of time we’ve ever experienced, were cleared to get our luggage.  All the bags were lined up outside, and in the dimness of the evening, we searched out our bags.  Thankfully, all but 2 were there – Kara’s and one of ours missing.  

Greeted by our hosts outside, we realized the miraculous journey we had completed!  Our Kenyan friends assured us that they had been in constant prayer, and there rejoicing from all that we were truly in Nairobi!  Nothing but praise and thanksgiving abounds.

So to our United folks in DC – the airport is open, there are flights from Zurich to Nairobi, and there is something yet to be refined in communications. …….and God is greater!!