Well I have some bad news about my trip to Liberia. I experienced a three hour delay out of Cincinatti that caused me to miss my two connecting flights to Liberia. Since there are only a few flights per week into Monrovia, I was not able to get on a flight in time to be there for my break.
I could have gotten to Brussels, Belgium, but there were no flights from Brussels to Liberia till too late in the week. So as I was in O’Hare i decided that it would be better to be stuck in Chicago then in a foreign country. There were a few options to travel through other African countries such as Nigeria or Casablanca, I was unsure if I would be let it do to travel restrictions such as Visas and Shots, as I was only cleared for Liberia. I also preferred not to be stuck in a airport in Africa. So after a few hours process, the decision had to be made to cancel the trip. My college Dr. Osborn, was able to make all the flights and is currently in Liberia. I was able to email him the work I did and the class will continue on.
Some who supported me may be wondering about some financial issues. I’m pretty certain that there will be another trip over summer break or next fall. I will most likely keep the money for those trips. In the event that I do not get to go on a trip, I will be sending back all the money as soon as possible. Luckily, American Airlines will reimburse me for the international portions of the trip, as I was delayed by no fault of my own. So that’s the deal on the financial issues. I will be in contact with those who supported me as soon as possible, with details on where I’ll hopefully be going next.
I’m a mix of emotions right now, I’m slightly depressed, saddened, confused, and kinda in a daze. Although I can go on another trip, I thought that THIS would be that trip. I had prepared for this trip emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and the let down was pretty rough. It was a pretty loud and clear signal that the door was closing on Liberia. I’m currently trying to deal with the reality that I will not be in Liberia this week. In some ways, the story of Paul in Acts 16 seems appropriate. For in Acts 16:6-8 we read ” 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.”
Now obviously there are some major differences, but in some ways I see some connections and that gives me hope. If Liberia was my “Bithynia”, I wonder what will be my “Troas?” In some ways, I really feel that I was prevented from going. I also wonder if Paul felt the same confusion?
Well I spent the night in Chicago last night (thank you priceline) and am waiting for a 520pm train back to Grand Rapids through AmTrack.
