As I write this, it is Sunday morning about 6:20. It is time for a trip report. The journey to Harare was uneventful, though not entirely. We tried to get help from Seattle customs, but they were not willing or able to do what we needed done. They kicked the can down the road to Atlanta. Our noon departure from SeaTac was on time and the four plus hours to Atlanta was turbulent on occasion, but otherwise acceptable. We split an overpriced fruit and cheese plate. That was a welcome treat.
Arrival at Atlanta is where things got a little interesting. There are at least six terminals with a train that runs between them. We landed in terminal A and an hour later our Johannesburg flight was boarding in terminal E. The can Seattle kicked down the road before was to be handled in terminal F. I talked to the desk attendant about timing, diections and flights. Her suggestion, “Forget customs, you will miss your plane otherwise.” So sorry Customs and Border Patrol, we couldn’t finish your paperwork. And we had no issues going forward.
We were aboard on A350 Delta jet, a nice twin isle plane. The seat was OK, a little close but I have been in worse. The flight was 14 hours and 15 minutes. We basically lost Wednesday on that plane. It was late Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta when they welcomed us on board. It was Wednesday night in Johannesburg when they thanked us for flying with them, hoping to see us soon. While I get very little sleep, I did get some steps in. We survived that endurance test. At least they are nice enough to have snacks out the whole flight in all the galleys.
Then the challenge began in earnest. We had an 11 hour layover before we continued on to Harare. We couldn’t leave the International Terminal without paperwork, transit visas which they didn’t give away and claiming bags. Add to that finding a transit motel, a bus to get there, and … well you get the picture. Thus, we sat and walked, and sat some more. After about 10pm local time, most of the stores closed. Two coffee shops and a ladies’ clothing store were the only things still open. We frequented both coffee shops, but passed on the other. We went to our gate area, but were asked to leave there as we were too early So we returned up a floor to found seating, walked, talked, and as every good traveler does, stared at our phones. Finally, we were allowed to the gate, loaded onto a bus, and taken to our plane, an Embrae 135/140. I am not sure which. From big to tiny. A little over an hour later we were on the ground in Harare. Immigration was a breeze, customs, not so much.
After stirring our bags, we had to give an accounting of what was in them and their value. It is my prayer that the Lord overlooks that fact that we may have miscounted, and undervalued some items, and looking back we forgot (really) a few things. The total value we assigned was $220 (donations and used are cheap). The cost for the tariff was $181. While it increases every time, and I act disappointed and a bit frustrated, that is a small price to pay for the joy the ties, scarves, layettes and clothing brings those who receive them. Out the door we went and off to the Central Africa Christian College, where we will be until Tuesday morning.
Since arriving here, the pace as been slow. I am having trouble getting my days and nights swapped over. We have had a couple of discussions with people and made a few shopping trips. This morning, in 30 minutes, we head up the road to Banket to preach and worship. Then back to the college where we meet tomorrow with more people and do some shopping for the clinic at Rushangarumwe. Tuesday, the plan is to return up to Banket and Chinhoyi to encourage friends and then Saturday to head to Chiredzi to continue the tasks at hand.
Thanks for your prayers and more of this will be coming your way soon, well, maybe kind of soon. I will return to this and edit it and maybe add a picture or two.
Added Sunday afternoon: We made our way to Banket to share the morning with Banket Christian Church. They currently meet in a primary school classroom. There were also maybe four other churches of various denominations worshiping at time, an interesting experience to say the least, but not a distracting as I first thought it would be. There were over 100 people, including numerous children. The music was loud, celebrative, and brought us into the very presence of the Almighty. I preached my Focus, Focus, Focus sermon which was well received. After hand shakes, a meeting of the church council and pictures, it was on the road back to Harare and the college. We await Monday.