Kathy prayed that I would have a comfortable flight to Malawi. She knew how I dreaded the long journey into Malawi.
This time I found myself on an overbooked flight. My ticket said I had to go to the airport to get seat assignment on the plane. I was not allowed to check in on line. I did not question that because that is not unusual because of the many plane changes. I had all my seat assignments except the Denver to Minneapolis flight. I had a confirmed flight! I did not think that there was any possibility that I might not get on the flight.
I checked in. They could not give me a seat assignment. I was sent to the boarding area for my seating assignment. Others were showing up without seat assignments. It soon became apparent that all of us were not going to get on that plane. Then the announcement came asking for individuals willing to give up their seat in exchange for a $400 dollar flight voucher. Several who had come to the boarding area after me got seats on the plane, I got the last seat on the plane. A very nice gentleman gave up his seat. Was he an angel? Too me, yes!
Minneapolis to Amsterdam was comfortable. I was in an aisle seat in the middle row with no one in the middle seat.
Amsterdam is a huge airport and Elaine and I had not determined where to meet. The last couple of hours we finally connected. We had to check in for our Nairobi / Malawi connection.
Elaine got her boarding pass and the agent gave me mine. Elaine was in business class for the Amsterdam/Nairobi flight, the agent asked me for my ticket and said, "I can do better for you" and gave me a business seat. WOW! Prayers answered.
We arrived in Lilongwe about 2 pm. We stayed overnight and headed for Mzuzu late morning after some shopping.
There is a major gas shortage here. The government has not been paying it's bills so most of the countries are not giving them petroleum. This is a major hardship on an already impoverished country. People are waiting for days to get fuel. A supply came in the day we arrived. The staff here was spending the afternoon getting fuel for all the vehicles. The present prime minister who apparently was very well liked in his first term has become very corrupt. The political environment is not good.
Today and tomorrow we are doing the children's physicals. I think the afternoon will be spent getting ready for next weeks clinic in the community.
On a lighter topic, when we entered the Village, the children mamas and staff were all waving as we drove into the compound. They are always so excited when we arrive. It makes all this so worthwhile. Africa is like coming home.
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