Travel Day

Waking up in Guatemala is clearly an experience. Yesterday was full of excitement as we traveled from Knoxville to Atlanta. Emotions were high as we said goodbye to our "blood" family and drove off with our church family. To say the least we are bonding. The bus ride was filled with anti-motion sickness meds, and a few naps and lots of laughs.
We arrived in Atlanta and as we were checking in, we noticed Ludacris was checking in the same time we were. Tim Knight worked his magic and we stopped and posed for a picture with him. We made it through security, with only a few little slow downs. I got pulled as a random one to search, WHEWWW made it through with no handcuffs!!! Preacher will be so proud!! The flight was packed and we quickly realized all instructions given were also given Spanish...Yep we are headed to a different world.
We exited the airplane only a few at a time, so that we weren't flagged as being different. We had a creepy feeling getting off in a very dark airport. We made it through immigration with no issues, got our bags...we thought we were home free. NOPE.... Josh and I were stopped in customs and sent to a different area...Yep, I was trying not to go into a full on fear cry....Kinda that "I want my mommy and daddy" cry!!! Our suitcases were opened and searched and the took a bunch of our medications that we had for a free clinic because they were expired. I wanted to throw up, but again thought....TAKE IT....JUST LET ME OUTTA HERE!! The scary part was not knowing where our church family had gone. They were all outside of the area where we could no longer see them. We finally were let go, and then as we went exit the doors, all we could see were the reflections of ourselves and the door opening ever so often... The other side consisted of a gate holding people back. (The kids that hold crowds back from famous people). Josh looked at me and said OK, now I a little nervous! We still were not sure were our church family was!!! We took a deep breath and our we went. WHEWW never been so relieved to see Jason Mullins face....and then all of my other "people".
A school bus ride to Wendy's was nexted....OH yeah security in the parking lot consided of a man carrying a shot gun...and thats it!!! We ordered fries and I was eager to try the diet coke....NOT bad!! While we were eating there was a homeless child begging for food, he enjoyed some Wendy's with us. His story....One of 12 children, mom is into prostitution... He was slightly aggressive and as we left we were informed...if you bring in a homeless person it is your responsibility to get them out of the place.
It was dark when we arrived so it wasn't until this morning we could actually see what surrounds us closely. We are going to Antigua today to the market to SHOP...SHOP SHOP SHOP!!!!! WHEWW HEWW.... Oh sleeping arrangements a little different than home to say the least....I already miss my bed, a shower with more than a trickle, a mirror....my potty....but I have 15 of my brothers and sisters with me....and GOD is in it...we will survive and adapt. We are all gathering to SKYPE Graveston. I will try to write later when I have more time....Please continue to pray for this team, and for the folks of Guatemala...
We love you back home!!!!
PS...Grammer and spelling will be back...I am afraid I will lose internet connection....so I will proof later....sorry mom, I know you taught me better....
LOVE YOU MOM, DAD, Keegan, Kaley, Alexander, Shedelah, Lori, PREACHER MAN, Preacher LADY!!!! (I'll include you preacher man & lady since you guys have had to raise me some...OH and yes YOUR baby is fine...he is playing basketball right now, and Sean, your momma is sleeping right next to me) (oh Lori, the travel pillow was awesome, even if your nephew made fun of it, ans Shedelah....HE IS FINE)