Traveling...

Hello all,

After leaving St. Louis yesterday, I had figured that I would have time to update this blog as well as access to Wi-Fi, but was I sorely mistaken…

As a first time world traveler (by myself) the whole flying process couldn’t have gone smoother up until this point. Getting through St. Louis and Chicago was a breeze and not at all what I had thought it to be. However, the time allotted to me was exactly the time I needed to make it through security and the like at each airport, which left no time for internet usage other than what I could quickly do from my phone.  I am just glad I only have myself to look after, I couldn’t imagine getting a whole family through all this. 

Upon boarding my flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I have a whole three seats and a window to myself! It has made this whole trip very relaxing! Also, when it came time for dinner to be served, they ran out of chicken right before the stewardess reached my section. I reluctantly agreed to eat the lamb with Arabic spices and rice and I was kind of disappointed to not have a “regular” meal before I eat rice and curry chicken for the next few months. This is especially true, since I hadn’t been able to eat an “American” meal in Chicago due to time restraints. Right as I started to dig into the lamb and rice (which was really good) the lovely stewardess brought me a new meal with chicken that she had acquired! So I ended up actually with two delicious meals and polished them both off to tide me over for the duration of the 13 hours I had left on this leg. (I must have really been hungry) Showing yourself friendly really does pay dividends into your well being in life, so I have found.

 It’s amazing how He has gone before me and prepared my steps, and this is only the beginning! Put your confidence in Him alone and He will order and direct your path. It’s that “Faith Within” which Bro. Aaron Bachelor spoke about yesterday that keeps me going. All this other stuff is just a bonus!

 I am currently in Abu Dhabi spending the night at the beautiful hotel Cristal Salam. I was privileged to meet up with the current pastor of the church here in Abu Dhabi, Bro. Brad Reed, and have an authentic Arabic dinner with him. It was such a treat. He also took me around the city to see what I can see at 9pm at night. It is so cool to see what God is doing around the world and to meet people like Brad. I will be leaving in the morning for the last leg of the trip to Dhaka. This trip has been fun so far, but I cannot wait to get to my final destination!

                                            Below: Emirates Palace Hotel

                                   Below: Abu Dhabi Cityscape from Heritage Village