Hey guys! Looks like it's my turn to post. The name's Eric, and you can consider me the team member that likes to hear everyone laugh and is up for whatever. Here's an update on our travels:
On Monday we all met up in Gallatin for one last American meal before heading out to the great unknown. We got to the Nashville airport and were seen off by Justin and the folks (and sister). After a group prayer, we headed out through security, bidding Tennessee goodbye. We had a bit of waiting, but managed to pass the time by whatever means were available (pooling our pocket change to buy a six-pack of gum). The flight was comparatively short. Within four hours we were on the West coast of America in the LA airport. Here's about where jetlag started becoming noticeable. Our flight wasn't until about midnight Pacific time, which is fairly late for Eastern and Central. As we waited for the call to board, we had a good laugh on how there were so many levels: first was 1st class, then business (at this point we started joking about even more levels), then ruby sapphire and emerald clubs (at this point we laughed harder about the fact that we were right). We decided we were somewhere around the "talc" level, maybe "limestone." We boarded our second flight on time. Over the course of the flight, we were treated to all the benefits of intercontinental travel: dinner, breakfast, and, get this, complimentary socks. Seriously.
I'm fairly sure we got some sleep in there, but I can't be certain. Now, things have gotten pretty weird as far as keeping time goes. Since we passed the international date line, we've completely lost June 6th. Never had it. On the plus side, we'll be getting a second August 1st in a few weeks.
Sometime early that next morning, we arrived at Hong Kong. Our layover wasn't nearly as long as the one in LA, so we only had time to comment on how messed up our sleep schedules were. Loraine did provide us with some laughs, however, as she seems to be the most heavily hit with jetlag.
Finally, Kuala Lumpur. We landed sometime around noon. After passing through customs and more security, we exchanged a bit of money for the local currency (Malaysian fives have a hole in them!). We bought tickets for the train and got in touch with our local missionary contact. He got in touch with (unsure of spelling, so going with American equivalent) Steven who met us at the other end of the railroad. He's a really great guy.
He's taken us in for the night, and is even taking us sightseeing soon! He and his wife have shown some serious Malaysian hospitality. She's a linguist, so Brad and her have been going back and forth about Asian languages.
All in all, things are going great. We haven't had a single delay since we started, and I've nearly finished reading my book (Don Miller's an awesome writer). And here you are, reading this as if it's happening so far away, like on the other side of the world, and it is. But I'm only using that as a metaphor. What I'm saying is, don't go reading this thinking you aren't having any effect. Alot of you guys supported us financially in getting over here to begin with, and alot of you guys supported us with encouragement. And it doesn't end with us getting here. No way. Even now, keep praying for us! Never underestimate the power of prayer. Here's what you might want to keep in mind: safety (that's been a big worry of all our parents...) and our readers.
posted by Eric @ 6:45 PM
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