Day One - Sunday, September 23

Today started out like any other Sunday. We woke up at the usual time and despite having plenty of time to get ready, managed to be in a hurry to get out the door so we weren't late for Sunday School. Henry and Bea rode in with me but Stella, who was already missing her Mama even though we hadn't left yet, decided to walk to church with her. Rebekah walks to church every week, no matter the weather, with Mabel Jane strapped to her back. Stella joined the party this morning and I'm sure both she and Rebekah were pleased.

Any thought that this was a normal Sunday vanished as soon as we arrived at church. Nearly everyone stopped me to wish us well, give hugs, and generally share their excitement about travelling to Africa. It was already an exciting day at church anyway since our friend Harold was getting baptized. Unfortunately, we would have to miss it and while we were truly disappointed, we new we had a justifiable reason.

At the conclusion of Sunday School, the elders gathered around us at the back of the church and prayed for us before we had to leave. They prayed that we would be protected, that our time with Hugo would be valuable, and that our children here at home would be kept safe. It was hard to say goodbye to our kids but we managed it. Henry removed himself from the group as soon as he could and I had to call him over to say a proper goodbye. I think he was sad and just didn't want to show it. Through a lot of tears, we made our way out the door.

Our friends, Bob and Rebekah Rizzo, drove us to the airport in Pittsburgh and dropped us off at 12:30 p.m. We checked in and, since our flight was not until 3 p.m., hunted for a place to eat. We ended up eating in the exact same place we had lunch on November 23, 1997 - the day after our wedding. That day, we were headed to London. While we ate, we read letters that the kids had prepared for us in Sunday School. They were sweet and included the usual artistic elements for which kids are famous. Henry drew a face with lots of tears pouring down the cheeks and a message that said, "I miss you already." We missed you already too, Henry. And Stella, Bea, and Mabel Jane.

The first flight was short - just one hour - and was followed by a three-and-a-half hour layover as we waited for our next flight. We had heard several people complain about the Newark airport but we found it to be interesting, comfortable, and easy to navigate. We did a lot of walking to pass the time. There was a older guy driving one of those airport golf carts that would make funny horn honking noises every time we encountered a crowd, which was all the time. Rebekah bought some chocolate and it would turn out to be one of the best purchases we made for this trip. It was very sustaining when we started missing the tastes of home.

The flight to Lisbon boarded at around 7:30 and once we got into the air, I made my last journal entry for the day. September 23 would end somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. While we were finally on the trip we had anticipated for so long, it was hard to grasp the reality of what was happening. Tomorrow would be the day we met our new son but for now our brains were engaged in the logistics of travel. Rebekah was asleep and I was wishing that my mind would slow down enough to get some rest also. I finally gave up and watched the in-flight movie.