Monday, January 10, 2011

Monday January 10, 2011

We were a little disappointed when our flight was delayed from Houston to Little Rock, but it turned out a blessing when we arrived in Lima and there were no other people in the airport...whizzed through immigration and customs, making it through with 50 bags of medicine and none being checked. Got to the hotel around 4 AM (hour ahead here-and got everyone checked in and off to their rooms only to find out they were going to turn off the electricity in 15 minutes and be off for 8 hours, which also turned off water.
We were expecting to have to pay a considerable amount for the extra weight in our bags from Lima to Iquitos, but our wonderful travel agent here talked the airline into letting us take on all our second bags free!! We need every penny we can get since we are now having to pay for 3 boats.
Speaking of the 3 boats, for any of you who havent' heard, the boat we were planning to get on went back under water one week ago, so David and Larry Johnson has been frantically trying to make Plan B for the past 5 days. This is not an easy thing to do since we've lost our money (there is a little hope we may eventually get our money back from the original boat) and there is not another boat big enough to hold all of us within 5 days river distance. They came up with a solution called the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The Good is a boat that sleeps 18 that has rooms with individual baths and air conditioning...a good thing to have in tropical weather. Had to tweak the arrangements and put 31 on this boat to sleep, putting extra mattresses in each room and mattresses in the dining room. The Bad (my home for the next 2 weeks), is owned by a Frenchman that Larry says gives a new meaning to the word "negotiation." It is described (by David) as a "clean" boat that sleeps 12 (not 13, not 11, but 12...cooks for 12, not 13, not 11, but 12!) For those 12, there are 2 1/2 baths and no air conditioning. Then there is the Ugly, which is a huge cargo boat that I have dubbed 'the party barge.' There are about 10 or so sleeping on this boat in hammocks and mattresses David and Larry bought to put on the floor. No air and I'm not sure about bathroom situation here. The good thing about it is, it is big enough for us to hold clinic on, that that solved that.
We are having breakfast and will be loading the boats in a bit. Will be a few days before having internet again.
Nae

5 comments:

Reesie said...

Is it selfish that my aunt and I hope that my mother, Lawanna, is on the "Good" boat? We also hope you were all able to fit in an 8 min shower before your power was turned off the first night. Our hopes and prayers are with all of you. Sounds like you are a resourceful group. We appreciate the update. Love,
Reesie and Nay.

Bill Yancey said...

Thank you for the update. We are praying for your witness on this mission trip. Now, you are able to get to ALL the LORD has in store for you to minister to. The 3 extra boat crews too ;-)

Pam Willett said...

Thanks for the update. Sounds like plan "B" is working. God always provides! Wish I was with you! You are in my prayers daily! Keep us posted.
"Pammy"

Megan said...

Thank you so much for the update! My family will continue to keep everyone in our prayers! Please pass along to my Dad, Bob McMahon, how much we love and miss him and hope to hear from him very soon!

With Love and Prayers,
Megan

Pat said...

Thank you for the update. Medical and Mission people are gifted to be resourceful. I hope you guys got a good bath in Lima. I wonder if Mike and Bo are staying in the hammocks, they are use to camping, but this sounds like advanced camping. Our family and friends are praying for you guys. Carter Tucker said hello & is praying daily. "kinda" wish i was with you guys. Tell Miek, Bo & Doyne hello GGG
Love Pat