Arrived...August 13, 2017

 Landed in LaPaz...it was an hour stop.  We stayed on the plane while others got off, plane was serviced, and other got on.  We stood up and moved around...using the bathroom, washing face, and getting very light-headed due to the very high altitude.  I was so glad I didn't have to walk through an airport carrying luggage feeling like that!  Ted showed me how high we were!

 Flying through the Andes Mountains was amazing!  Ted and I were listening to music...and I started with the tears!  "How Great Thou Art"  and "You're About to Climb"

 This trip has been a long time coming!  We have planned, saved, prayed, shopped, packed, and prepared...and now...after some struggle...we are here and it is very emotional for me.

 How wonderful a gift God has given us that we could do this with our children!

 Coffee and time focusing on what God has done for us...overwhelming to us...and I see it in our faces here!

 Santa Cruz, Bolivia, South America....

 All our luggage made it safe and sound!  Customs opened 4 of the suitcases and casually looked...they allowed all the gifts to continue on with us!  The porter helped us through customs and out the door...where Bud and Karen were sitting...already there waiting for us!  What a relief to see them...knowing that we made it...struggles and all!

 They hired two taxis to take us to the mission house where we were to stay for the night.  Ash and I rode with Karen.

 Mission house in Santa Cruz

 Sunday afternoon lunch...Ted and Teddy had alligator two different ways. Alisa and Ash had beef and fried plantains. I had fish...South American catfish, I believe.

 Right away...we were served juice...mixed with water...and it was delicious!  Bud and Karen advised not to eat the salad, but the oranges were ok.

 This is a place they like to come and the people know them.  We enjoyed our first authentic meal in an authentic setting.  I was asked by one of the men if I was freezing...cause I didn't have a coat on...the Bolivians are all cold right now...it is their winter season (feels like a typical Michigan summer!).

 We went back to the mission house to rest and clean up.  The shower was cold!  We thought this was to be the normal way...later...we found out the hot water heater was probably out of propane gas.  Oh well...a cold shower helped revive us and get us clean!

We sat and talked.  Then we went for a walk to see some night sights and get some snacks/water for the trip to Vallegrande.  We spent some more time talking and learning some things that would help us during our stay.

 We met another missionary lady that works with another orphanage in the other direction of Vallegrande.  What a neat lady!

 Night time taxi ride back to the mission house.

 "Hey, let's drink together!  Remember when Tommy said that?!"  We sent a picture to his parents.  So many people from home were praying for us and encouraging us through this whole trip...it was fun to keep everyone updated on Facebook or with text messages.

 Bud and Karen showed us how people may greet us...things they would do or say.  They told us about meals...eating what was put in front of you...even if you didn't like it...you need to eat it...and if you get sick...that is a way out!  Instruction on toilet use...no paper goes in the toilet...and yes, it is hard to remember.  Tell them immediately if we get sick...there is medicine to help!  Don't be miserable.  We planned to get going early...so we headed to bed to be up early for breakfast and our trip to Vallegrande...about 5 hours!

 A little lizard...on the outside of the building!  Whew!

Take Two...August 12, 2017

 Ready to head back to the airport and catch our flight to Atlanta and then Miami and then LaPaz and finally Santa Cruz.  We booked with United...and no part of our trip will now be with United!
This day was hard...it was harder than the first day!  There are not many pictures...because there were not many moments we cared to remember.  Air Canada made a mess out of the plans that the nice gal made for us.  They saw two of the same name in our party...and deleted one because surely it was a mistake!  5 people and now only 4 seats even though we paid for 5 tickets
Customer service is not a high priority in the air travel industry...we now know personally and understand why some people just lose it in these situations!  We were amazed!  But one gal from AirCanada personally took it upon herself to fix the problem...and it was no easy feat!  We got through customs and immigration and headed to the gate...realizing the time they gave us in Atlanta was not going to be enough.  I called to see if I could get a wheelchair...knowing that that could possibly help us make the gate as I couldn't walk fast or run with my family.  We found out from that phone call that things were still messed up for the flights with American Airlines...still 5 people and only 4 seats.  The gal stayed with me online while Ted was on the line with United...again.  We thanked both gals as they each made sure on each of their ends that we were set for the rest of the trip...5 people and 5 seats to match the 5 tickets!  God only knows what will happen!
The American Airline agent we stopped at and asked a question told us, "No worries!" as we walked away.  Oh...lady...you have no idea how many times I have been told this as we planned this trip!

 We boarded for Atlanta and everyone just breathed a sigh of relief...the adventure of flight was now beginning!  Before we taxied out to the runway, they asked for people to change seats.  Why?  I don't know...there were lots of empty seats...so maybe balance?  Ash and I raised our hands...she wasn't so sure...what did we have to lose?  We were on the back row!  We ended up in the first seats of first class!

 "Ash, it never hurts to volunteer!"  When we said we would move, they had said something about row 19 or row 5...and then they kept motioning us forward.

I think God did that on purpose...a reminder that He knew it was a struggle for us.  He was still working all things out...not easily...but we were still on our way!

 The views of the clouds were breath-taking!

 We made it to Atlanta...a huge airport!  We had to wait to pick up our luggage and go check in...and we had an hour to do it.

Humor helped us deal...sometimes...when we were in the mood.  Teddy was a good sport!  We teased about putting him in the luggage compartment if they didn't get our ticket/reservation/seats figured out.

Ohhhh...and a 10 minute shuttle bus ride and 10 minute walk...and no one is ever moving quickly when you need them to!  We reached the counter at 4:00pm and the lady told us we would not make the flight of 4:35pm.  She didn't even try to help us make it.  She was rude and thought to chew us out about being late...she had no clue what had happened and that we did not cause any of it.  We were so frazzled by that time that neither of us cared to fill her in...and I was sure that she didn't care.  Ted had had enough and said so.  She thought he didn't need to take that attitude with her.  I cried.  The kids were quiet and looked like they wanted to run.  The lady just rude.  We stood at her mercy and she schooled us in how we would now fly stand by...20 seats still available and we were the first 5 on the list for the flight that left at 6:30pm for Miami...still should have enough time to make the 9:50pm flight to LaPaz/Santa Cruz. 

 A snack...some quiet time...everyone dealing with the turn of events very differently...we got to the gate and saw our names on the screen.

 All we knew for sure...we had our passports...and a piece of paper for each of us that had the flight info.  I have never experienced this!  We looked to our world traveler for info and guidance, "I got nothing!  In all my five years of international travel...this has never happened to me...and Delta does not treat their customers like this!"

 We landed in Miami...and had to walk a looooong time and take two shuttle trains to get to our new gate.  We once again were amazed at the lack of helpful information the rude agent in Atlanta gave..."you land at gate D and have to go to gate E...it's not that far."  She obviously had NEVER flown or been to Miami...whole different buildings!

 We got some supper and waited to get our seat assignments.  We took the Dramamine...hoping to be able to sleep most of this long flight.

 We taxied out...and then the captain came on to say we were headed back to a gate because all the bathrooms were not working!!!  A big problem for a packed plane flying for 9 hours!  Unbelievable!  We were delayed two hours.  They handed out snacks and headphones.  They allowed people to get off at the gate to use the bathrooms and stretch.  We stayed put...because we were drowsy and just done.  When we finally took off...it was raining.

I don't remember too much after that...it is like trying to take a nap...can't get comfortable...doze...wake...leg/foot cramp...head bobs around...cold...achey...think you are sleeping...aware of movement around you...a new experience for four of us!  Our world traveler does it all the time...it is not a restful sleep to be sure!  But I'm thinking...the struggle will be worth it!

Ready to go! August 11, 2017

 We loaded up all our suitcases...all 7 of them and 4 backpacks into Ted's car...because we found out the Yukon was not working properly on Thursday night.  Ted figured out how to take one of the seats out...and we all fit comfortably for the drive to Toronto.  We also ended up bumping up our departure time due to construction on the route.

 Ready for the trip of a lifetime!  We checked and double-checked everything and left poor Velle staring at us.  Thankfully, her babysitters were coming over to play and take care of our home.

 We crossed over the bridge into Canada in Sarnia...and then drove to Tim Horton's for a coffee and pastry...and it was the worst cup of Tim Horton's ever!  What a bummer!

 We drove through some drizzly weather and then the sun came peaking through the clouds.  About 15 minutes from the airport, I was looking for where we had to drive to reach long term parking and saw an update on Ted's phone..."Flight cancelled"  UH, WHAT?!  WHY? We called to check on flight and what to do...to no avail.  We continued to the airport.  Parked and headed in to see what was going on.  Thankfully...we had planned to be early and had lots of time!

 All the screens were showing multiple United flights cancelled...with no reason given.  At first, the agents tried to say, "Weather."  Surrounded by glass...with sun brightly shining through, Ted asked, "You don't fly when it is sunny?"

 This gal helped us.  At first, we were told the earliest flight would be on Sunday.  We said, "NO! Not an option." What a mess we had to figure out!  She was able to re-book everything...for Saturday about noon.  It made no sense to drive all the way home and then all the way back (about 4 hours each way).  We stood dumbfounded and found a hotel...the voucher that United gave was for 30% off the normal cost of one choice of a hotel at $175 a room (we had to have 2).  We said, "No, thank you!  We will do it ourself."

 When things go wrong...they pull out the snack cart!  Can I say...it really doesn't help that much!

We waited along with hundreds of other passengers trying to figure out what to do and how to do it and how to let the Raders know down in Bolivia...knowing they were already in Santa Cruz to meet us after dropping off another missionary intern at the airport.

 We re-loaded and headed to a cheaper hotel about 15 minutes from the airport.  Also thanking the Lord for a chance to figure out a cheaper place to long-term park!

 We stayed at the Best Western in Mississauga.  It was comfortable and had a pool/hot tub and breakfast buffet.  Ted used his trusty Trip Advisor app and found Wimpy's Diner for supper!  It was good food and we enjoyed laughing together...especially when Teddy's asked for American cheese on his cheeseburger and the waitress looked at him funny..."uh...we have cheddar or swiss."  Ha ha ha, Teddy, we are in Canada!  "Would you like gravy for your fries?"  Um...do I?  "You are not from around here, are you?  That's how people eat them here."

 The waitress gave Teddy a hard time when he couldn't finish the hamburger!  It was so funny.

 We went back and spent some time the pool/hot tub.  We all slept well and had a yummy breakfast.  I thought I forgot the tube of toothpaste, so we stopped at Canada's equivalent to Aldi...No Frills!  We got some granola bars and toothpaste and took off for the long-term parking lot we found for ALOT cheaper.  They had a shuttle to the airport!  Ready for try number two!