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Our plans have changed significantly due to a strike at the Nairobi airport.
The Good News is ..... that we were able to spend last night at Heart Lodge in Nairobi...yes, this is the same place that Don and Joy stayed at when they were in Nairobi last year!
The Bad News is .... that we do not have any of our luggage....just our carry ons!
To back up just a bit...
We had a great flight into London...arrived on Time! We were able to go into London and take a 1 1/2 hour bus tour around the city to see the highlights. The weather was wonderful and we were able to sit up top of a double decker bus!
What should have been our first clue of things to come was when we arrived back at Heathrow and our flight to Nairobi was delayed because Kenyan Airline was waiting for a plane. We then changed our flight to Rwanda to a later one because we would miss the first connecting flight that was reserved for us. We saw a wonderful sunrise on our flight to Nairobi.
At this point in time, we had not slept since leaving Toronto as we only managed to cat nap on both of our evening flights.
Upon arriving in Nairobi at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, we realized that the first flight that we were booked on was just boarding so we did try to get back on that flight but it was booked solid. We were just as glad that we missed it because later on in the day those people were still sitting in the "holding area" for the flight.
It was very chaotic at the airport. We spent a greater part of the day sitting in the Java House coffee shop located at the airport. Luckily, they have wonderful coffee and sandwiches.
We moved from there to see if we could figure out what was happening and encountered Chaos
everywhere that we went! We found a somewhat quiet corner in the airport where the benches were padded....so some of us...mainly the young ones! were able to stretch out and sleep!
We then found that the airlines were giving out lunch/dinner vouchers so we ate! and the meal was quite tasty. The left hand still didn't know what the right hand was doing at the airport but we were finally told to go through customs, get out luggage and the airlines would pay for a hotel for us.
We were blessed that Brian thought to bring his cell phone and Don had Jean's phone # (our contact in Rwanda). We were then able to get hold of Malcolm Card, CBM rep in Nairobi. Malcolm made the arrangements for us to stay at Heart Lodge. We finally were able to get to bed....into a real bed..around 11:30 last night....that is 4:30 p.m. Saturday, TO time....(remember that we had not slept since getting up on Thursday morning!)
As of right now, 2:00 p.m. Nairobi time, we will be staying here for one more night. Brian and Don are at the Airport trying to find out what is happening and to see when the next flight is leaving for Rwanda.
We spent the morning with Malcolm trying to problem solve. The rest of us are at the Village Market Mall (also a familiar place to Don & Joy) but will soon be heading back to "Home Away From Home" where we will be spending tonight as Heart Lodge is fully booked! It too is a lovely
oasis away from the chaos that we have been experiencing.
We are ALL well and in great spirits! We have been experiencing God's love and graciousness throughout all of this. Our sense of humour has not left us and the more tired we get the more funnier our jokes seem!
Please continue to pray for us...for we know that it is only by the power of your prayers that we are safe and sound and doing well!
Oh yes! We have spoken with Grace...she is fine but missing us as much as we are missing her!
The Good News is ..... that we were able to spend last night at Heart Lodge in Nairobi...yes, this is the same place that Don and Joy stayed at when they were in Nairobi last year!
The Bad News is .... that we do not have any of our luggage....just our carry ons!
To back up just a bit...
We had a great flight into London...arrived on Time! We were able to go into London and take a 1 1/2 hour bus tour around the city to see the highlights. The weather was wonderful and we were able to sit up top of a double decker bus!
What should have been our first clue of things to come was when we arrived back at Heathrow and our flight to Nairobi was delayed because Kenyan Airline was waiting for a plane. We then changed our flight to Rwanda to a later one because we would miss the first connecting flight that was reserved for us. We saw a wonderful sunrise on our flight to Nairobi.
At this point in time, we had not slept since leaving Toronto as we only managed to cat nap on both of our evening flights.
Upon arriving in Nairobi at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, we realized that the first flight that we were booked on was just boarding so we did try to get back on that flight but it was booked solid. We were just as glad that we missed it because later on in the day those people were still sitting in the "holding area" for the flight.
It was very chaotic at the airport. We spent a greater part of the day sitting in the Java House coffee shop located at the airport. Luckily, they have wonderful coffee and sandwiches.
We moved from there to see if we could figure out what was happening and encountered Chaos
everywhere that we went! We found a somewhat quiet corner in the airport where the benches were padded....so some of us...mainly the young ones! were able to stretch out and sleep!
We then found that the airlines were giving out lunch/dinner vouchers so we ate! and the meal was quite tasty. The left hand still didn't know what the right hand was doing at the airport but we were finally told to go through customs, get out luggage and the airlines would pay for a hotel for us.
We were blessed that Brian thought to bring his cell phone and Don had Jean's phone # (our contact in Rwanda). We were then able to get hold of Malcolm Card, CBM rep in Nairobi. Malcolm made the arrangements for us to stay at Heart Lodge. We finally were able to get to bed....into a real bed..around 11:30 last night....that is 4:30 p.m. Saturday, TO time....(remember that we had not slept since getting up on Thursday morning!)
As of right now, 2:00 p.m. Nairobi time, we will be staying here for one more night. Brian and Don are at the Airport trying to find out what is happening and to see when the next flight is leaving for Rwanda.
We spent the morning with Malcolm trying to problem solve. The rest of us are at the Village Market Mall (also a familiar place to Don & Joy) but will soon be heading back to "Home Away From Home" where we will be spending tonight as Heart Lodge is fully booked! It too is a lovely
oasis away from the chaos that we have been experiencing.
We are ALL well and in great spirits! We have been experiencing God's love and graciousness throughout all of this. Our sense of humour has not left us and the more tired we get the more funnier our jokes seem!
Please continue to pray for us...for we know that it is only by the power of your prayers that we are safe and sound and doing well!
Oh yes! We have spoken with Grace...she is fine but missing us as much as we are missing her!
Tell Brian to wear his yellow shorts, that will get you out of the country!! John & Linda
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