Flight fun

Aug 26th, 2009

The flight from San Fran to Germany was a doozy. Ten hours spent in the second in from the aisle, two rows from the very back of a 747 Boeing, with two full grown men on either side of me made it very interesting to attempt to sleep. Half of the time I spent with my head strained to one side or the other, pulling on neck muscles I didn’t know I had. But the man on the aisle seat was very gracious when I had to get up and was willing to accommodate my bathroom trips. I realized for the first time on this flight the beauty of the German language, the superior service of Lufthansa, and the simple joy of a childhood memory.

The German language is something that I am now amazed by. Because Lufthansa is a German airline, everything in the airplane was printed in German and English. All of the flight attendants spoke in both German and English throughout the flight, as did the captain. And many of the passengers I shared the airplane with were from Germany. So ‘danka’, ‘bitte’, ‘nein’ and ‘da’ seemed to be all around me in a glorious harmony of a language I used think was harsh and nasally. Now, however, a new appreciation is realized and once again, the desire to learn a few more languages is ignited. 

Lufthansa... I cannot say enough good things. A few friends had told me how much they loved the airline before I left the states, but I was ready to decide for myself. When I sat down I was immediately in love with the size of the seats. They seemed to recline back further and be softer than other chairs. The service that I recieved from the flight attendants was wonderful and they were very kind. 

While on the flight, the tv was on. I really didn’t pay attention to it much except that I looked up to see a Walt Disney intro coming on. I was interested and then became very excited as I saw an old Pluto cartoon coming on. The one is where Pluto and the seal make friends after the seal helps Pluto get away from the octopus. Its a very short film, but it is something I watched when I was a kid. My siblings, cousins and I used to watch Mickey Mouse cartoons for hours as children. Something as simple as a ten minute cartoon reminded me of home, brought a smile to my face, and once again, reminded me that I am under the shelter of His wing. 

Two weeks from now

Two weeks from today, on the 25th of August, I'll fly out from Eugene, Oregon, and travel to Kigali, Rwanda. The trip to get there will no doubt be interesting, as I don't like to fly and have more than one 8+ hour flight. I'll also be traveling internationally by myself, something I've never experienced. I'm also completely in tune with the fact that I will probably be a little bit of an emotional mess, trying to balance the sorrow of leaving so many incredible friends and family members with the excitement of going back to a place that only ten months ago made such a deep impact on my heart. Wow... There will be a lot going on in those days. Prayers would be GREATLY appreciated.
I got an e-mail informing me that I will most likely be able to volunteer at the hospital in Gulu, Uganda, and even better than just volunteering, I'll be able to help with the new x-ray machine they just got. I'm not really sure how that will work out, as I have an understanding of American medicine and the language that occurs in a hospital is hard enough in English, but I trust that God will break down EVERY barrier, according to His good pleasure. The language barrier is something that I have thought about lately. To me a 'thigh' is a femur, and a foot comprised of tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges. So how much more interesting to try to explain these things to someone who may speak Acholi. This will be a growing experience for sure!
I have been wondering lately if I will, in fact, stay there for longer than two and half months. And how it will feel to leave Rwanda after only about 3 weeks to go to Uganda. Will I want to return to Rwanda? I feel like I will, but I really don't know at this point. I'm excited, though, and open to whatever God wants to happen.
Only two weeks from now... Wow...