Saturday, February 19th: We are on our way! First stop – England. After getting onto the plane we discovered that our seats were middle row seats. As Steve wanted the outside seat to be able to stretch his legs better, I ended up in the middle of the middle of the plane. With childhood memories of carsickness during endless summer drives (when I’d consistently lose the fight over the window seat to my 2 brothers), I started to think about some bible text my friend Maggie and I were talking about before we left – Psalm 28:9 “be their shepherd and carry them forever”. Well, as I thought how God will carry me forever, I began to relax, knowing that I will survive as thousands of people who sit in middle seats survive unscathed!
As the plane was leveling out, it was impressed upon me to say a simple hello to the passenger on my right. I figured it would be a long trip not to be hospitable, (and we did want to be friendly to everyone we encountered on this trip), I waited for a moment when I could meet his eyes. What followed next was a 4 hour conversation with my new pilot friend, Patrick, from Lagos, Nigeria! I managed to get about an hour’s sleep before we got off the plane and all was well. God is so gracious and surprising!
We did have window seats to Frankfurt Germany and all our baggage made it there safe and sound. Second stop – Frankfurt. Our friends Kerstin and Jochen met us much to their surprise, in a practically empty part of the airport. They said it was most unusual that we were in that part of old terminal coming from England – they expected to have to push through crowds to find us as Frankfurt is the busiest airport in Germany and second largest in all of Europe. What unexpected grace again! We got settled in and had dinner with them, retiring early so we could get some much needed rest from the 6 hour time difference.
We spend today with them in their home and tomorrow we will depart for the next leg of our journey to Kolkata. That’s it for now. Next post will be from Kolkata. Do we still have any snow in Ontario?
Hi Syl & Steve
Not a lot of snow left, but we are about to be reminded it is still winter
10 cm heading our way
Father I ask your protection over Syl & Steve as they journey to Kolkata
I pray for hearts of compassion that love as You love,
eyes that see all that you have to reveal as You see
Ears that hear the sometimes silent cries of the lost
I pray they speak Your words into each situation
To know and understand that You are at work in Kolkata Father
Allow them know Your presence in a very real way as they step into Your story
I pray for the Shaw family, Monique, Stewart, Ben, Tim and Hope -
I pray for them as they continue to step out in faith and trust You
Be with Monique, Stewart and Hope as they prepare to receive the Pauls
May You be with each of them as they set off in Your adventure
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen