GOING…
Great anticipation filled the air as the Teen Challenge Team joined a total of 96 members from various teams at Newark Airport today with hearts and eyes fixed on going to Scotland! Boarded and joyful, settling carry-ons in the overhead and meeting our seat mates whom God had clearly appointed–the excitement mounted. But after more than forty-five minutes passed they announced that the door sealing rubber that would assure take off was in need of replacement. Would our excitement be dimmed? Would an obstacle rob this joy? With the quiet assurance that our God had everything in control, we waited.
GOING…
Soon the word came that the problem undertaken to be fixed was unfixable and we would have to change planes. Moving en masse, we now arrived at a new gate that would lead us to our intended destination. While we waited, joyful expectation and sleepy smiles were passed around the waiting room along with shared granola bars, nuts and encouragement. Soon forty more minutes passed and we again boarded, emboldened and moving toward our goal. The plan of God and the people of Scotland awaited and He would not disappoint. Navigational equipment glitches resolved, we were informed by our captain that we were awaiting new charts for our journey and we would soon be up and away. All the while, we are being constantly reassured that our eyes are not to be on what we see in the circumstances we face, but the plan being unfolded. It is surely a bigger plan than we can imagine.
As we pushed away from the gate, the sound of silent relief was interrupted by the distinct cough from a team member struggling to breathe. She pressed the call light and requested oxygen. Again our departure was put on hold. We silently prayed. The oxygen tank was not functioning. An announcement was made for medical personnel on board to make themselves known, and more than two doctors and a nurse came to assist. It became apparent that medical aid must be brought on board. As our beloved team member was wisked off the aircraft with a wave and the assurance: “I will be back!” The voice of our captain again was heard as he declared: “Third time is the charm!”
GONE…
We persevere but not because the third time is the charm. We persevere because our hearts are joined in God’s plan for His love, care and assurance to be poured out upon Inverclyde.
They announce that our landing is imminent. We arrived at God’s planned destination. Our team stands on Scottish soil.
