Unexpected Layovers!

When you step out of your door and start flying somewhere it can be very exciting! When you step out for missions, it involves more than stressful security checks. Game is on. You are on your way to bring God's kingdom on earth.

We had 5 flights ahead of us to go from Kona, USA to Madang, Papua New Guinea (PNG). We made it to Brisbane and that was a hard night. We wanted to sleep in a hotel, which we rarely do. Most of the time we sleep at the airport. The hotel never got our booking and we were stranded in Brisbane with no roaming for our phones and no hotel, late at night after long flights from Honolulu to Sydney and Brisbane.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

The Uber driver refused to let us stranded in the city and offered to take us to another hotel. (Forgot that the first Uber driver refused to take us and canceled the trip...and charged my card..) We went to 3 more, and there was no rooms available. Suddenly I felt like Mary and Joseph, tired after traveling, needing a place to sleep. With tears in my eyes and Maclau's eyes, we went back to the airport. We are forever grateful to the Uber Driver who took us around, used her phone to call places and then took us back to the airport. Her kindness comforted our discouraged hearts. We put Maclau to sleep and called it a night.

In Brisbane, once again checking for our flight to PNG

The next morning was our flight to Port Moresby, PNG. As we were standing at the gate, we saw men inspecting the engine. The screen turned from Boarding to delayed. A few hours after, flight was canceled. The plane was unserviceable. (I can only think that doesn't sound good). We had to pick up our luggage, go through customs again and did a long line to be taken to a hotel for the night. Maclau asked me "why do bad things keep happening to us?" A fair question. I explained to her what I have seen and lived over the years. There is one person that wants us to be sad, to complain, to feel discouraged and defeated to make us doubt and arrive to our destination with no hope, no joy and zero love to give. I asked her if we were going to let that happen? We all said No!

We stayed in a lovely hotel in Brisbane, courtesy of the airline and we went out for a walk, to the playground and to a nice dinner. We decided we were going to enjoy an extra day in Australia and this time we could sleep on a bed! We flew to Port Moresby the next morning. The plane was still delayed and we missed our connecting flight to Madang in Port Moresby. Here we go again! We made a line for our hotel and we were sent to another hotel for the night. This time just me and Maclau, because Luis went to the ship to be there for a week.

The hotel was a bit sketch. But God! Again provided 2 lovely ladies from PNG who sat down with us for dinner and told us we could call them if we needed anything. God's protection never left us. We found a hair salon and spa at this hotel, and Maclau enjoyed a haircut and new nail polish as a treat! We arrived in Madang that afternoon. We left June 11 and we arrived June 15. It was a long journey, full with ups and downs, but God's faithfulness remained. We held on God's promises and kept our hearts steady in Him. We were happy to finally see our friends in Madang and hug them. We knew God had plans for our family in PNG and we were not going to let little things and challenges take away from that.

We made it to Madang!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

We experienced His goodness and tender care through it all. Did we cry? Yes, we did. But He is a God who loves and comforts, picks us up and renews our faith and strength. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Through every circumstance, we can choose joy and gratefulness.