Saturday ---- June 18, 2016/Getting Underway to Bogota

"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.  go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And, behold I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20

It's the long awaited day ...... 13 awesome students and three adults .....disciples making disciples and discipling each other on this AWESOME mission trip to Bogota, Colombia!!

Pre-Departure ....
~ EXCITEMENT!
~ Undeasiness
~ Sleepy
~ Suitcases galore
~ Checking and double-checking - does everyone have everything????
~ REASSURANCE  and p[eace from Mr. Solsman's send-of prayer --- we're ready!!!

Departure ...
~ WAITING (patiently) for the school bus (The Cheese) --- it wouldn't start and needed fuel!
~ Bus finally arrived
~ HEAVY suitcases to load through the HIGH back window since only a few would fit in the compartments under the bus.
~ Elena and Juliana (Woody) accompanied by Mrs. Baden ran alongside the bus --- almost beat us out to Burns Crossing Road.
~ Great bus driver (Ms. Marga) worried that we might be late to Dulles.
~ Lunch and snacks (along with delicious and HEALTY muffins from Mrs. Solsman)
~ Smooth sailing until 495 in Virginia ...bumper to bumper due to accident ahead.
~ TWO HOUR bus ride, but arrived safely ....THEN unloading all those suitcases..... ugh!
~ AVIANCA check-in ...long lines.
~ TSA check-in even longer lines ...but, we managed to stay together!
~ Arrived at Gate B48 with 15 minutes to spare ..... time for Chipotle carry-out for some.

Flight ...
~ AVIANCA 247
~ FULL FLIGHT, but we are pretty much all in the same area.
~ Taylor made sure Sam didn't have to sit next to the flight Attendant in the back of the plane.
~ Great flight ..... 5 hours of movies, sleep, eating.
~ Flew over Cuba ..... Jeremy said, "I hope we don't get shot down!"

Arrival ...
~  No problems in Colombian Immigration
~  Long wait for ALL the luggage.
~  ECA rep met us and we were loaded onto one bus and luggage on the other.
~  Arrived at the Guest House around midnight.
~  Settled into rooms and got familiar with all the nuances..... light switches, toilets, water.
~  Lights out around 1 AM .......

We're on our way to proclaim the Gospel and although we won't be baptizing anyone, we TRUST and PRAY that the GLORY and LOVE of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST will be reflected in (and from) what we do on this mission trip!!!