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August 1987 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle and prairie of Southeastern Colombia
Volume 15, Issue 8 August, 1987
OUR RETURN TRIP TO COLOMBIA
On July 27, we traveled back to Colombia. Since we were not sure how long we would be needed back in the States we did not schedule our return trip until we felt that we had done all that we could. By mid-July, that time had come. It would be several months until the final papers would come out and in the meantime there was not much going on. To be sure, many people wanted us to stay. My family was having a reunion and there were other activities. But it was time to be back "at our Father's business."
So on Saturday, the 25th of July, we packed up everything at my dad's cabin and began moving it back up to Rittman. While it would be nice to again have indoor plumbing and running water, we had enjoyed the solitude. It was with a certain sadness that we left the quiet of the countryside. Things that we had gotten out of our house had to be returned there. We had to get the car ready for storage. And we had to say our last goodbyes to family and friends.
Sunday we visited the Orrville church and then headed home to do the final packing. Even though we had thought we had started plenty early, time was running out and there was still much to do. My parents had planned a family get-together but we had so many things to do that we stayed in the basement packing and getting ready. It was nearly midnight when we dropped, exhausted into our beds.
By 5:30 the next morning, we were up. While Jeanie and the kids got ready, I loaded the car with our fifteen heavy suitcases. By then it was my turn in the bathroom. I showered and shaved and in short order we were on our way to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. No one said too much on the drive up. It seems like at times like that, words are somehow out of place. Once there we unloaded the suitcases and headed to the check-in counter. We had no problem this time and soon headed for the departure gate. At 8:30 boarding began and we hugged my parents good-bye and boarded the plane.
The flight to Florida was uneventful and by noon we were there. We had a five hour lay-over so for the first time there was no reason to rush. It took nearly an hour to check in and find out what gate we would leave from. We headed there and sat down. With time on our hands, we began to think about our lunch. The prices were so high that they nearly gave me a heart attack. We never even use a porter so to avoid those expenses. And there they wanted $1.50 for a can of Coca Cola! We finally decided to forgo a regular meal and snack on a Coke and a cookie. Even then the bill for the five of us was $15.00. We are thankful we don't have to eat there often.
Our departure for Colombia was late and we had a gate change. But by 5:30 we were on our way. We were all so hungry even the airplane meal tasted great. By nine that evening we were landing in Bogota. We passed through immigration and gathered our bags for the customs check. While we waited, I called a friend to come and get us. We had no problems and soon we were on our way to Mark Stringer's house.
We spent the night there and the next morning inspected the progress on the church building. It looked great. Sunday it would be used for the first time. By then I headed to the bus terminal. I contracted with the driver of a mini-bus and the five of us plus all of our suitcases were on our way to Villavicencio. Jeanie got a little car sick but there were none of the normal delays. We were not even stopped at the police checkpoints. With so many suitcases that can be a real problem. Again the Lord protected us from the normal hassle and by mid-afternoon we arrived at our house.
We found everything in great shape and we are now busy unpacking and getting everything back into order. The family that had been staying here began to gather their things as we unpacked. The next morning I picked up the car. It too had been well cared for. Upon returning to the house, I took the family that had cared for the house to their apartment. Then it was to the bank to exchange some money and to the grocery store. There we began to stock up the empty cupboards and refrigerator. Later we went by the post office. We nearly filled the car with books and tracts that had come while we were gone. As word of our arrival began to get out, the Colombian brethren began to show up to welcome us back.
The Lord had again given us an easy trip. We arrived in great shape and soon the house should be organized. Next week I plan to travel out to Loma Linda to pick up the airplane. All will soon be in order and we should be able to pick them up where we left them off with no problem. We thank all of you for your many prayers for us over these past two months. May God richly bless you.
(PHOTO)
Dale cleaning gutters and checking the roof for leaks.