Our very knowledgeable guide, Cesar--pronounced Say-zaar--was great. Yes, he made us practice pronouncing it the correct way. Still, I'm sure I heard a couple of our ladies call him "Seezer," a time or two. We saw the royal palace from the outside, a great cathedral from the inside, the Plaza de Toro (the local bull fighting arena), street performers, great architecture, and royal parks. After our bus tour and a few stops to walk around a bit, Cesar, he took us to an area where we ate a delicious lunch at the Museo de Jamon (the ham museum). I was glad and a little excited to eat there as I had seen Andrew Zimmern go there on one of his Bizarre Foods episodes. It wasn't bizarre at all and lunch was terrific. We shopped for a short while before being shuttled back to the airport just in time to catch our night flight to Malabo, the final destination of our trip.
As we were loading into the plane we heard a commotion at the rear of the craft. A man was yelling something in Spanish and we could tell he was very upset and angry. A few of us were a bit upset thinking about getting into the air with a crazy, angry guy just a few rows behind us. We found out that he was being deported from Spain for not having a passport and that the two men with him were police officers. While that made me a little more comfortable it still didn't stop the thoughts of disaster in the air.
That's when an African man got up from his seat directly behind me and went back to speak to the man. He spoke to him in Spanish and said, "Look. We are on this plane and we want a good flight. Just because you are upset about being deported doesn't mean you should make the rest of us miserable. Now be quiet." Had we entertained angels unaware? Only the Lord knows for sure. The man still wasn't happy but he did get quiet and the last leg of our journey went off without a hitch. That is if you don't count the exception of many crying toddlers and babies and lots of loud women talking and laughing most of the night but somehow the noise wasn't nearly as disconcerting as the threat of a crazy man in the air. Resting in the hands of the Lord, I slept as we flew toward our last stop--Malabo.
Pastor Carroll and Gail were at the airport to meet us and he helped us get through customs. Pastor Carroll also guided our team members through the procedure for their missing bags. Dealing with airport security and the policia in a third world country can be a nervewracking experience. Hopefully everyone with missing luggage will get it by Sunday night and our trip can continue without any more drama!
We went to the job site today and the guys are working hard trying to lay out the details for the tabernacles to be erected while we are here. Ms Gail took us girls around to find a few necessities for a few who still needed some things we just couldn't share but before we went she made a stop near a church she and Pastor Carroll used to pastor and there was a wedding going on. We were given permission to step inside and photograph the festivities. It was wonderful! The ceremony was nearly over and the music was lively and fun. Women who were dressed beautifully brought their gifts down the aisle to the couple, but they didn't walk solemnly. Not at all. They danced their presents down the aisle to the beat of the live singers song. What a fun thing to do! What a true celebration! A wedding should be a happy event and I think all the 'bridezillas' in USA could learn a little something here. I wonder if it could ever catch on here?
We're cooking spaghetti for the guys tonight and I know they will be tired and hungry. I'm glad tomorrow is Sunday so they can perhaps get a little rest before work again on Monday. Church is tomorrow and Benny will be preaching at Pastor Carroll's church while Pastor Gary preaches at another church. I'm looking forward to whichever service I am assigned to. It will be good for sure.
That's it for today unless something remarkable happens tonight--and it could happen. I love you all and miss you. Above all, the Lord is good.
Father, we always ask your blessing and safety on our trips and you have never failed us. Never! I love how you protect us but also how you calm even your desperate ones who could have a way out but cannot yet see it. I think it's going to be a wonderful week and I can't wait to see what you show us. I love you so very much.
Suz
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