Our Pennsylvania people met up with the Minnesota crew at the airport in Amsterdam. The layover of several hours was a great time for everyone to get acquainted and to have some good strong Dutch coffee.
Getting everyone together on the same plane into Kilimanjaro was the first important juncture so I was feeling good about the smooth start we were off to... I should know better by now!
As we made our way thorough the final security to the gate, I noticed that an airline representative had pulled the Zillmers aside. I walked over to hear that due to some "technical issue" there were not enough seats on the plane and that they had been randomly chosen to lose their seats. After some tense negotiating, the issue was resolved in some weird way and we were back on track.
Nine hours later and we found ourselves in the enthusiastic embrace of the many friends who made the trip out to the airport to welcome us. Rev. Urio, Sister Elle, Rev. Steven Massawe, Munguatosha, Nelson, Oscar, and Munisi were all there to greet us and I am sure I am forgetting someone. The Sisters of Ushirika Wa Neema had made a little flower arrangement for each person in our group.
In the midst of all the hugs and greetings I turned around to see my good friend and frequent Vision Trip participant, Ed McNulty standing there. This was a shock because when preparations were being made for this trip, Ed was disappointed his schedule did not allow him to come. Ed decided that it was worth joining the group even if he could only stay for four days!
Sounds crazy if you have never had the experience I suppose of stepping off that plane under this dark African sky to be welcomed by saints of God who also happen to be good friends. Ed has had this experience many times and knows that even four days on the ground here is worth the marathon journey!
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