A Full Day of Travel and Some

Twenty-eight hours of travel, two different airlines, and crowds beyond measure was just some of the experiences we had as we began the long trek homeward from Cote d'Ivoire. With a send off by the bishop and an wonderful job done by an Air France Service Rep (we all think of her as an Angel) we were off to Paris with connecting tickets to Houston. All the Air France flights to the US East Coast had been cancelled and were cancelled for the next couple of days so with divine intervention we found ourselfs on our way to Paris with tickets on Continental Airlines for the final leg of the journey.

It was an incredible last day in country as we worshipped with another congregation in Abidjan -- Bishop Boni was present and Rev. Cythnia Harvey gave the message. It was truely a moving last worship together and an inspiring message. I am amazed at how the Ivorians can make every aspect of their service worshipful. In this specific service the offering was the most inspiring and uplifting part of the worship -- the music and dancing was so incredible. Music is a vital part of every service and there are many, many, many songs of varing types. Dancing of course is part of the service as well and it is just a part of the cultural worship of a people who are joyful before the Lord. As I watched these families and individuals come to the offering basket -- yes they all line up and come to the basket one by one singing and dancing down the aisle -- I was humbling made aware of what I have and I am joyfully thankful for such blessings. Also would I joyfully give it over to the Lord in the manner in which the Ivorians do -- dancing and singing down the center aisle of the church!

One last major luncheon before we left -- which was hosted by the General of Cote d'Ivoire at the Jubile Church. Then it was time to shower, rest, pack and head for the airport. What an extraordinary day to cap off an incredible time in service to the people of Cote d'Ivoire. On the long journey home there were times when the experiences of the week would come flashing back as there was little time to process in the moment. The long lines of mothers with children strapped to their backs waiting in the heat of the day for nets, the many, many children running in the courtyard as they waited in line with families, the joyful hopsitality of our Ivorian translators and hosts who work endless hours and assisted us in every aspect of our stay. The stories and memories are too many to process at this point and it will take several weeks if not months to come to a deeper understanding of exactly what happened in the time I spent in West Africa. But one thing is sure somewhere in Cote d'Ivoire -- in remote villages, in small towns, in urban areas -- a child will sleep soundly tonight under a net. His or her parents will sleep better knowing that their child will be protected from the deadly disease of malaria. That child will have a better chance to grow up and become all that God has gifted him or her to become and because of that 28 hours of travelling, long lines in airports, intestional problems, and the minor things we experienced on this journey just doesn't seem to matter all that much. To God Be the Glory! Great Things He Has Done!!!!