We Made It...

Written 9/24/08
Kampala town, Marble Arch Hotel

Like all first time mission trips, mine started off on the right foot with lots of problems, and God providing a way through. I was leaving for Louisville from Asbury and realized I had forgotten my carry-on backpack which contained my passport. So Holland Hames and I raced over the opposite way from the airport to Nicholasville where my storage unit is, then backtracked towards the airport in Louisville. We got there at 2:40 for what I believed to be a 3:30 flight which I was informed had left at 2:30… my bad…

After 15-30 minutes of freaking out and being on the phone with Northwest (not helpful), Student Universe (somewhat helpful) and Jes (very helpful) I realized the only way I could get to Detroit in time to make my flight to Amsterdam was to take a plane that left at 4:55 from Lexington airport. So Holland raced me back to Lex 90 mph and I rushed through Bluegrass airport and barely made the flight.

I raced through the Detroit airport, and caught up with Jes at the final boarding call for my Amsterdam flight looking forward to snuggling with my girlfriend for 7 hours… WRONG! Instead I ended up “snuggling” with two overweight men (one of which who was so large he requested we keep the armrest up on that side because it wouldn’t fit if it were down) and got a grand total of 0 hours of sleep on my overnight flight. For those of you who know me well, I realize I always say I can sleep anywhere if I’m tired… well, I stand corrected. Needless to say I arrived in Amsterdam grateful, but at the same time completely exhausted and more than a little frustrated at the fact I had had to double the amount I paid for my ticket to Uganda.

But, as I was walking over with Jes to the gate where we were supposed to meet Matt, there was this Formula-1 racing car to take pictures with and next to it was a “test your reflexes” game. Those reading this would probably find it an understatement for me to say that I am ridiculously competitive over the most insignificant things so of course I stepped up to the challenge and after doing well enough in the reflex game to advance to the next level, I rapidly put together a touch screen puzzle (with the help of my lovely ING assistant) and scored the grand prize in the prize roulette: A 1:27th scale hand held racing model of the Formula-1 car I had just taken a picture with! Great success!

So that changed my mood a little and I watched like three movies on my 8 hour flight to Entebbe (this time I was snuggling with my lovely girlfriend) so I arrived in Uganda a cheerful, if somewhat exhausted young man. I think I’m still recovering some sleep, but otherwise I’m here and yes, mom, I did remember to take my malaria pill. I’ll talk to you guys soon. Post comments if you want, I would love to hear from the people who are actually reading this stuff.

P.S. If you actually read all the way down to here, you rock.

-Travis

When God speaks....

Just 2 short weeks ago my friends and I were delivering books in upstate New York.  Yesterday we attended the funeral service of one of those friends who was the victim of a tragic car accident.  Amber Lynn Volk, a 23 yr old super star.  She brought joy into the lives of so many countless people.  Her funeral was packed with so many sad faces.  

Amber was going to come to Uganda with us.  

I am dedicating this trip to Amber.  I am dedicating it to the memory of her smile, the sound of her footsteps down the stairs to my room in the morning, and the feel of her hug when I was sad.

When God speaks people can't help but listen...sometimes it's not the words that we hear, but  the distant sound of sobbing or the way that the rain beats upon our umbrellas. 

I do not mourn for Amber, because she is right where she deserves to be.  I mourn my future without her here on earth.  I mourn for the orphans at home of champions that will have to wait until Heaven to see her smile..... so here's to you Amber.   ~Jes