I started my journey down to South America on Monday, August 10th. My flight wasn't until 5:16pm, so I had time to sleep in and double check my suitcases to make sure I had all of the necessities. It still hadn't sunk in that within 24 hours I would be on a different continent.
Dad was able to take me to the airport, and he helped me carry in all of my luggage. I was going to originally check 3 suitcases and take a carry-on. However, when we got to the counter, we found out that I could only check 2 suitcases, because of an embargo in Bolivia. My heart instantly sank as the realization hit that things were going to have to be left. Dad convinced the ticket agent to upgrade one of my suitcases to an over-sized bag, which gave me 20 more pounds. So we opened up my suitcases and started pulling things out of one suitcase and stuffing them in another. All in all, I made it with all of the necessities that I will need to get me through these first few months. Dad and I shared a moment and said our goodbyes, then I made my way to security.
In my carry-on suitcase, I packed a projector for my classroom so I could incorporate some technology into my classroom. Getting through security was a little tricky. My bags went through, but then got pulled out to be searched. They pulled the projector out and had to re-scan my bags. Thankfully it all worked out. I just had to repack my suitcase once everything passed inspection. When you use every square inch in your suitcase, it can be quite the challenge to make everything refit again, especially in an airport!
Once I made it onto the airplane, I settled in and fell asleep pretty quickly. The plane ride was uneventful until we arrived in Miami and had to sit out on the tarmac for close to an hour because of a line-up of planes. I got to talk to the passenger next to me. She was from Brazil and was in the States visiting her daughter and family. She was an encouragement to me as she made me laugh as we shared experiences in Michigan, specifically Michigan winters. I had a short layover in Miami, and then boarded another plane for the final stretch to Bolivia. I was so thankful that we were flying through the night so that I could sleep and be semi-rested when I arrived. Before we made it to Santa Cruz, we stopped in La Paz, one of the two capitals of Bolivia, and then took off again for Bolivia.
I made it through customs and then was able to collect my luggage. Praise God, both of my suitcases were waiting for me when I made it through customs! I was then able to go through security before I could leave the airport. Security was like a lottery system. You pushed a button and you either received a green or a red light. If you received a green light, then you could go straight on through to leave the airport. However, if you received a red light, then all of your bags had to be searched. I received a red light, so that meant that someone had to go through all of my things to make sure I wasn't bringing anything illegal into the country. I was worried that they would question me about my school supplies and the projector, but thankfully they didn't dig deep enough to find the projector and they didn't bother with the supplies!
Rick, Lori, and Amanda were waiting for me when I exited the airport We stopped for some salteñas, which are like a chicken pot pie only Bolivian style, and then we headed for my apartment. My apartment far exceeded any expectations I could have had. Katie and Cynthia did an amazing job cleaning and preparing. I immediately felt like I could make this "home" for the next ten months.
God is so good! He knows exactly what we need and provides. I am so thankful for the team of missionaries that I get to serve with in the Santa Cruz community. They have already been a blessing in my life and have made me feel a part of their family. I am really looking forward to the continual building of friendships and seeing how God is going to work!
Thank you for all of your prayers for safe travels!
Dad was able to take me to the airport, and he helped me carry in all of my luggage. I was going to originally check 3 suitcases and take a carry-on. However, when we got to the counter, we found out that I could only check 2 suitcases, because of an embargo in Bolivia. My heart instantly sank as the realization hit that things were going to have to be left. Dad convinced the ticket agent to upgrade one of my suitcases to an over-sized bag, which gave me 20 more pounds. So we opened up my suitcases and started pulling things out of one suitcase and stuffing them in another. All in all, I made it with all of the necessities that I will need to get me through these first few months. Dad and I shared a moment and said our goodbyes, then I made my way to security.
In my carry-on suitcase, I packed a projector for my classroom so I could incorporate some technology into my classroom. Getting through security was a little tricky. My bags went through, but then got pulled out to be searched. They pulled the projector out and had to re-scan my bags. Thankfully it all worked out. I just had to repack my suitcase once everything passed inspection. When you use every square inch in your suitcase, it can be quite the challenge to make everything refit again, especially in an airport!
Once I made it onto the airplane, I settled in and fell asleep pretty quickly. The plane ride was uneventful until we arrived in Miami and had to sit out on the tarmac for close to an hour because of a line-up of planes. I got to talk to the passenger next to me. She was from Brazil and was in the States visiting her daughter and family. She was an encouragement to me as she made me laugh as we shared experiences in Michigan, specifically Michigan winters. I had a short layover in Miami, and then boarded another plane for the final stretch to Bolivia. I was so thankful that we were flying through the night so that I could sleep and be semi-rested when I arrived. Before we made it to Santa Cruz, we stopped in La Paz, one of the two capitals of Bolivia, and then took off again for Bolivia.
I made it through customs and then was able to collect my luggage. Praise God, both of my suitcases were waiting for me when I made it through customs! I was then able to go through security before I could leave the airport. Security was like a lottery system. You pushed a button and you either received a green or a red light. If you received a green light, then you could go straight on through to leave the airport. However, if you received a red light, then all of your bags had to be searched. I received a red light, so that meant that someone had to go through all of my things to make sure I wasn't bringing anything illegal into the country. I was worried that they would question me about my school supplies and the projector, but thankfully they didn't dig deep enough to find the projector and they didn't bother with the supplies!
Rick, Lori, and Amanda were waiting for me when I exited the airport We stopped for some salteñas, which are like a chicken pot pie only Bolivian style, and then we headed for my apartment. My apartment far exceeded any expectations I could have had. Katie and Cynthia did an amazing job cleaning and preparing. I immediately felt like I could make this "home" for the next ten months.
God is so good! He knows exactly what we need and provides. I am so thankful for the team of missionaries that I get to serve with in the Santa Cruz community. They have already been a blessing in my life and have made me feel a part of their family. I am really looking forward to the continual building of friendships and seeing how God is going to work!
Thank you for all of your prayers for safe travels!