My trip actually began Monday morning. I needed to pack and hadn’t done a thing. It was overwhelming and a very daunting task. Something I knew I needed to do but just hadn’t faced yet. I spent the whole day packing, then unpacking. Then shoving and removing clothes I didn’t need. I wasn’t sure what to take or what I would need for a whole month. I knew I would have the use of a washing machine and dryer, but it cost to use and if you know me at all, you know I’m not a big spender.
Around 5:30 PM I began my trip to St. Louis to stay with my friend Kyle (and his family) who was also going on the trip. Amanda, another student missionary, stayed with them as well. It was storming when I left, yet beautiful. A little down the road I ran into a detour that took me about 30 minutes out of my way. However, the scenic route was a beautiful one and I didn’t mind all that much. I continued to STL without a hitch…well, in a sense. I made a wrong turn and became a little lost but easily fixed my mistake with the help of Kyle’s father Randy.
We hit the hay relatively early in order to be ready for an early start the next morning. The morning definitely came sooner than we wanted and we started out the day a little groggy. However, we were soon dressed and ready to hit the road and face the traffic.
Our arrival at the airport and baggage check-in proceeded smoothly until we realized that one of our fellow students, Mike, didn’t have a seat on flight 1603 to Seattle, WA. This discovery was quickly called in to headquarters, a.k.a. Dr. Hufty, and he worked his magic. The rest of the group would travel as planned to Seattle arriving American Airlines at 12:20 PM Pacific time and Mike would arrive a few hours later via Southwest.
The flight went off without a hitch and four hours later we arrived at the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport. We unloaded from the airplane, grabbed our luggage, and continued to the baggage claim area. After settling in and hearing the instructions from Dr. Hufty, most of us set off in search of food. We were to be back and ready to leave at 6:30 in order to catch the 7:15 PM bus to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our 6.5 hours at the airport included games, sleeping, eating, and a multitude of other endeavors.
By 7 PM we were all loaded on the Quick Coach bus and ready to take off on the 3 hour tour. Well, more likely 4.5 or 5 hour tour due to the fact that the bus made stops between Seattle and Vancouver. Our first 30+ minutes were filled with high energy photo taking of the sights in and around Seattle and of the illusive Space Needle. Our eyes deeply drank in the beautiful sights of the magnificent Washington scenery while our cameras flashed incessantly. Our cameras were slowly put away as the sun set and darkness ensued. Some students fell asleep while others continued to talk energetically.
At approximately 10:45 PM we pulled into the border patrol station. We unloaded ourselves and our belongings from the bus and stood patiently in line. Things were going well until it was our Vietnamese exchange student Vu’s turn to go through border patrol. The situation was not looking well when Dr. Hufty received the news that Vu’s trip had come to an abrupt stop. Through the grace of God and much prayer from Dr. Hufty and all of us on the bus, Vu was granted temporary citizenship to Canada and allowed to continue on the trip.
We reloaded the bus and traveled a few miles down the road only to unload once again to switch buses. This last leg of the trip only lasted 15 minutes, but it was enough time for Dr. Hufty to remind us of our goals and to encourage us in our work. Upon arriving at our lodgings at 11:30 PM, we unloaded for the last time that day at the sign that read “Pacific Life Bible College”, our new home for the next 28 days. We were greeted with donuts and a warm welcome by our missionary contact Kelly Manire. After receiving our room keys, we all headed off to make the dorm rooms our own and to say goodnight to a long, successful day of travel. Praise the Lord. :)
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