New Orleans Mission Trip 2008

We thought we were off to a good start, but.... about 45 minutes after take-off the pilot came on to tell us there was trouble in the cock pit. We made a slight detour at the Indianapolis airport. We were greeted with the Indianapolis fire brigade and had a personal escort to our terminal. We thought the 4th of July parade was all over, but instead we WERE the parade on the 5th of July! We decided to stay on our original flight (where there were actually many different options to choose from) and continue on to Memphis. Then at around noon we found out our it would not be taking off until 2:30 in the afternoon, which would have caused us to miss our connection in Memphis. So instead, our nice ticket man, Ken, assisted us with a new flight with United Airlines that led us back to our "Sweet Home, Chicago". Before boarding, not one, not two, but three of us were selected for special screening in the security section. Aren't We special! There we were given the royal treatment by the TSA.

United Airlines welcomed us with a First Class ride straight through to New Orleans. See what happens when the detour you through Indiana? They bump you up to first class, baby! Talk about flying in style! First class consisted of leather seats, warm towel, 6 passengers, and don't forget the snack box. We landed on time thinking all is well. We went to retrieve our luggage but Chris and Pastor Elaine's didn't arrive. We were told that Chris's luggage was 'en route' to New Orleans but Pastor Elaine's was definitely "MIA" (it is actually 10:36pm right now and we are seated outside the church waiting for their luggage to arrive while we write to you).

After turning down one too many 'one way' streets, we arrived at St. Paul's Church and were warmly greeted by the group from New Ark, Delaware (our roomies for the week). Our sleeping arrangements consist of 3 rooms lined up with bunk beds with inflatable mattresses.

It is now twenty of eleven and we are still seated outside the church waiting for our final luggage to appear. We are told it should arrive by midnight... we'll see how that goes.

This is the four ladies of New Orleans saying goodnight and we'll get back to you tomorrow night!