Close Call
We had an early morning as we headed out of the hotel in Hamilton to the Toronto airport, heading to Peoria, Illinois today. This was one of our quick turn-around days, with very little time to spare.
And wouldn't you know...it was the day the computer system was down at the airport. On top of that, we didn't know we needed to be there so early to get through customs. So by the time we arrived, we stepped into an already chaotic situation, late and in danger of missing our flight.
The first lady at the ticket counter had little tolerance for our situation and was quite unhelpful. Thankfully the Lord sent a compassionate woman along who had the authority to help us out. But even she had a hard time figuring out how to solve our dilemma!
We sent Lauree and our two sound guys on ahead, with no luggage, figuring at least they could get to Peoria and start set-up. It was too late for luggage and the rest of us to make that flight, so we put our hopes on the Lord (and the compassionate lady!) for finding us seats on another flight.
With just minutes to spare she was able to get the last four seats on the next plane headed for Chicago...first class seats no less! We walked on the flight, sat down, and literally took off breathing huge sighs of relief and thanks to the Lord!
But then there was the Chicago airport to navigate...and let's just say it didn't look good for getting us on the connecting flight to Peoria! If it hadn't been for Mel's question to an airport employee about the fastest way to another terminal, I doubt we would've made it! But his directions to a little known gate with a shuttle bus (who would've ever known!) were just what we needed!
We were literally running through the next terminal, hearing them page our names, as we made the fastest beeline ever to the gate! Our boarding passes were waiting for us, we grabbed them, quickly boarded the plane, sat down, and the doors closed for take-off. We were THAT close!
And you know what? Lauree and the guys were on that flight too! It was our original connecting flight that we thought we'd have no chance of making!
With a sigh of relief we rested our heads for the short flight, praising God for his traveling mercies today!
The story doesn't end there though. When we arrived, none of our baggage had made it! All our clothes for the evening were somewhere between Toronto and Peoria! We left the airport for the hotel, not knowing what we'd be wearing tonight but praising God that at least we would be there!
But the Lord was very kind to us. A couple hours after arrival, our bags miraculously arrived at the hotel!
So we're dressed and ready to go for Vision Night #8, sure that the Lord has something special in mind for tonight since we almost didn't make it here!
