The other day, I was reading through my blog posts realizing how depressing the last few have been. It think they reflect how difficult it has been this year especially in the past few months. There has been so much tragedy lately. So many losses from dengue and other culprits. Yesterday we lost a 20 yo otherwise healthy young man to complications of a brain injury from a car accident. He is the third young guy we have lost this year due to such accidents. Life is so fragile. We take life for granted when in reality we need to be ready to face eternity at any moment. I vowed to not talk about depressing things this month, but here I am! Let's change topics. I am going to tell you a funny and yet quite embarrassing story. Those of you who know me well might actually find it surprising that I had not done this sooner.
One of my many jobs here at the hospital is "Volunteers Logistics Coordinator". Once a potential volunteer has submitted their application and been proved, their process is sent to me. I help them fill out the remaining paper work, verify their passports and medical/specialty licenses, collect their itineraries and housing fees, and help set up in country travel from the airport to the hospital. I always remind them just before their travel date, "Don't forget your passport!"
I have prided myself in the fact that in 6 years of traveling internationally, I had never forgotten my passport. Until just a few months ago that is.
I clearly remember that day. Waking up at 3:30 am after only 3 hours of sleep to meet the taxi picking up Rebekah and me at 4 am. Sleeping through the almost two hour ride down our dirt road with potholes so deep that you can bounce your head off the ceiling if your seat belt isn't tight enough. Arriving at the airport just before 6 am and sleepily dragging my suitcase behind me to check-in for my 7:30 am charter flight to the bigger airport in San Pedro Sula.
"Prestame su pasaporte." said the guy behind the desk ("Lend me your passport.")
My sleepy squinty eyes shot open. "*Gasp* Olvide mi passaporte!" I quickly dug out my wallet and verified what I already knew. It wasn't there. It was still in my apartment in Balfate.
I panicked. What else does one do in this situation? I started calling fellow missionaries at the hospital. Four calls later, Rachel sleepy voice finally answered. "HELP ME!!" I sent her to grab the keys to my ATV from Natalia's apartment and drive up the hill to my apartment. After some searching, she found my passport in the bottom of my basket of towels in my closet (great place for it).
Now that my passport was located came an even bigger problem. How do I get my hands on it?? I called another missionary friend whose husband used to sometimes work as a taxi for volunteers. His boss graciously allowed him to go into work late to bring me my passport.
Rachel drove like crazy down the hill and tossed my passport to Omar who peeled out of the hospital gate towards La Ceiba. I anxiously waited at the airport and drank lots of coffee. It was going to be a long day. The flight was to San Pedro Sula was called and my travel buddy Rebekah went through security. Meanwhile I was at the desk pleading the airline agent to hold the plane. "Ya viene mi pasaporte!" My pleading was met with a firm "No!" My flight left without me leaving me stranded in the airport. I called my very reliable friend and taxi driver Alberto. "AyudaMEE! I need you to take me to the airport in San Pedro Sula!" The airport is four hours away in the next big city.
And then came Omar in his shiny royal blue SUV with my passport!! The culprit of any gray hairs that show up on my head in the next six months ( yep ... I pulled out my first one a year ago). Alberto arrived just a few seconds behind him and we were on our way. In spite of all the coffee in my system and being all wound up, I slept the entire trip and woke up as we were pulling into the airport. I rushed through check-in and security and made it to my flight with time to spare. God is good!
Shout out to Rachel and Omar who are my heroes! God has truly blessed me with an amazing group of missionaries to work with! We have our differences but we will do anything for each other.
Praises!
1) The dengue outbreak seems to be slowing down as we have had fewer patients admitted with dengue in the past two weeks.
2) I am headed to the States on Tuesday to spend Thanksgiving with my family!
Prayer Requests
1) For peace and comfort for the family who lost their son yesterday
2) for Safety and no mishaps on my upcoming trip on Tuesday
3) Financial provision is always a prayer request. I would not be here if it were not for all of you! If you feel led to support me financially, you can do so by clicking here.
I have prided myself in the fact that in 6 years of traveling internationally, I had never forgotten my passport. Until just a few months ago that is.
I clearly remember that day. Waking up at 3:30 am after only 3 hours of sleep to meet the taxi picking up Rebekah and me at 4 am. Sleeping through the almost two hour ride down our dirt road with potholes so deep that you can bounce your head off the ceiling if your seat belt isn't tight enough. Arriving at the airport just before 6 am and sleepily dragging my suitcase behind me to check-in for my 7:30 am charter flight to the bigger airport in San Pedro Sula.
"Prestame su pasaporte." said the guy behind the desk ("Lend me your passport.")
My sleepy squinty eyes shot open. "*Gasp* Olvide mi passaporte!" I quickly dug out my wallet and verified what I already knew. It wasn't there. It was still in my apartment in Balfate.
I panicked. What else does one do in this situation? I started calling fellow missionaries at the hospital. Four calls later, Rachel sleepy voice finally answered. "HELP ME!!" I sent her to grab the keys to my ATV from Natalia's apartment and drive up the hill to my apartment. After some searching, she found my passport in the bottom of my basket of towels in my closet (great place for it).
Now that my passport was located came an even bigger problem. How do I get my hands on it?? I called another missionary friend whose husband used to sometimes work as a taxi for volunteers. His boss graciously allowed him to go into work late to bring me my passport.
Rachel drove like crazy down the hill and tossed my passport to Omar who peeled out of the hospital gate towards La Ceiba. I anxiously waited at the airport and drank lots of coffee. It was going to be a long day. The flight was to San Pedro Sula was called and my travel buddy Rebekah went through security. Meanwhile I was at the desk pleading the airline agent to hold the plane. "Ya viene mi pasaporte!" My pleading was met with a firm "No!" My flight left without me leaving me stranded in the airport. I called my very reliable friend and taxi driver Alberto. "AyudaMEE! I need you to take me to the airport in San Pedro Sula!" The airport is four hours away in the next big city.
And then came Omar in his shiny royal blue SUV with my passport!! The culprit of any gray hairs that show up on my head in the next six months ( yep ... I pulled out my first one a year ago). Alberto arrived just a few seconds behind him and we were on our way. In spite of all the coffee in my system and being all wound up, I slept the entire trip and woke up as we were pulling into the airport. I rushed through check-in and security and made it to my flight with time to spare. God is good!Shout out to Rachel and Omar who are my heroes! God has truly blessed me with an amazing group of missionaries to work with! We have our differences but we will do anything for each other.
Praises!
1) The dengue outbreak seems to be slowing down as we have had fewer patients admitted with dengue in the past two weeks.
2) I am headed to the States on Tuesday to spend Thanksgiving with my family!
Prayer Requests
1) For peace and comfort for the family who lost their son yesterday
2) for Safety and no mishaps on my upcoming trip on Tuesday
3) Financial provision is always a prayer request. I would not be here if it were not for all of you! If you feel led to support me financially, you can do so by clicking here.
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