Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Well, we're here!

We arrived in country this morning at about 5:00 a.m. (midnight back home). The beggars at the airport were like flies, literally grabbing your bags out of your hands and even trying to steal your stuff. It was "interesting" to say the least.

Get this--our flight from Nashville to Atlanta only allowed 45 minutes to switch gates...which sounded so simple until we did it. Anyway, when we got to our gate at about 10 minutes 'til takeoff, evidently they had given our seats away. Because when we scanned our boarding passes, new ones printed out...and Becca and I got bumped up to first class from Atlanta to Dakar! Can you believe that?!? What a blessing!

Getting back to the story, though, when we arrived in-country our bodies were saying it was bedtime but the sun was up by the time we got to the hotel. We did get to rest and shower just a bit before lunch, but we're some kind of tired. I don't think I'll have trouble sleeping tonight.

The guys (Pastor Tim Edwards, Missionary Jason Lee, and I) went out to a village this afternoon in order to seek permission to bring the whole group later on this week to share stories from the Bible. They were very gracious and beautiful people. By the way, hospitality is incredibly huge here. To have a guest come to your village is an honor, so they seek to honor you in return. The village chief disappeared for a few minutes and returned with BEER for all of us! Fortunately, our translator was able to explain that we weren't drinkers and, so, we drank Fanta Orange instead...except for the village chief. He went ahead and drank his beer.

Becca and I are chilling until supper in about 40 minutes. Pray that God will give us insight and rapport as we work in a very different, unfamiliar place. The culture and language (primarily Wolof) are nothing like other places I've been.

Hopefully I'll have some pictures tomorrow!

4 comments:

Tracy E. Lilly said...

Wow! Flying trans-atlantic first-class and friendy natives. Sounds like Someone higher is listening to us!!!

knlewis said...

Brother Larry and Becca, May God bless you both and keep you safe. I love the Fanta Orange story, GO BIG ORANGE!!!

Phyllis Hobson said...

I suppose now that you’ve flown first class, there will be no satisfaction in going back to coach or economy (I’m reminded of the Seinfeld episode with that scenario)! Sounds like an interesting, though tiring, first day. We like keeping up with your trip.

Jerry and Phyllis Hobson

Larry Robertson said...

I'm so grateful that you've taken the time to read, pray, and leave comments. THANK YOU!