Already a Week

In some ways it’s crazy to think that I’ve already been in Bogotá for one week! I’m enjoying my time here, the people I’m working with, the people I’m staying with. Everything is going well so far! There’s still a lot to get used to, and that will take time. I’m thankful for all the support and encouragement I’ve received from people at home and people here, and most of all for God’s help through everything! I’l write more about this first week (hopefully tomorrow), but first I wanted to share something I wrote while traveling here last week, that explains a quick Facebook status I had posted. :)

February 1, 2013….

Here I am in the airport in Houston (which has no internet so I’ll have to post this later). I’m on my way to Bogota! It’s exciting! But I think I could have done slightly less excitement in Vancouver. After a tearful goodbye with my parents I got to go through some extra security checks, which was no big deal, and I made it to my gate with 5 minutes to spare before boarding. 

Thankfully I didn't need this!  Photo from Houston Airport.

When I reached for my boarding pass and passport I suddenly realized I only had my boarding pass! I don’t know how to describe how I felt. Like my heart stopped for a moment and then how fast it started beating, how terrified I was in that moment. I knew I must have left it back at security, which was a good 10 minute walk away. 

So in my freaked out state I started running back to security, but after 30 seconds I realized I wouldn’t make it there and back in time, so I did a 180 and ran to the desk at the gate to see if they could help me. Keep in mind this whole time my heart is pounding out of my chest and all I can think is to ask God for help.

I’m sure there were some amused passengers in the waiting area who saw me running back and forth. I ran to the gate and all I said was hi (I think, I’m not even sure I remember what I said – it was one word), and she looked at me and said “Kristina Toews, oh good, here you go” and hands me my passport.

All I could say was “thank you, thank you, thank you!” I sat down and tried to calm down, feeling relief seep into me. Another passenger told me she saw someone running to the gate and handing them my passport a minute before I arrived.

Cedric taking a break on my carry-on as I write this blog post!

I am so thankful right now that I’m sitting in this airport and I made my flight. Everything has just found a way to work so far so that I can go to Bogotá, and this situation is no different. I see it as another way God is protecting me and helping me, and I sure couldn’t do this without that.