“Sir, that flight left thirty minutes ago…” So began our trip to Namibia on March 28, 2012. Susan and I sprinted to another ticket counter on the opposite side of the Atlanta airport to search for an alternative way to get to Washington, DC. We were told, “Go get your group; there are seats open on the 12:15 flight.” So we ran back across the airport, beckoned our team, and sprinted one last time with thirteen other travelers and a small group of parents. It must have been quite a sight… each team member dragging 100 pounds of luggage through a crowded airport. Because we had thirty suitcases to check, we didn’t catch the 12:15 flight to Dulles. It was a rough morning…
Five of our team caught a full 2:10 flight and the rest of us boarded the 3:29 plane to DC. The South African Airlines flight to Johannesburg was scheduled to leave at 5:40. The group of five arrived first and boarded the Africa-bound plane a little after 5:15; the rest of the group landed at gate 76 in concourse B at 5:21. Our destination was gate 37. Megan and Andrew were the first two off the plane and they sprinted like track stars. The rest of us followed closely behind as our ‘amazing race’ resumed. (Susan and I are going to have to get personal trainers before we go on another mission trip.) As we ran, I could see the vague image of a man waving his arm, encouraging us to hurry. “We’re going to make it,” I thought. But when Susan and I arrived, most of our group had collapsed on the floor in tears. The door was shut and could not be reopened. No amount of begging or crying or arguing changed anything. Fifteen minutes after arriving at gate 37, we watched our plane back away from the terminal and begin its long journey across the ocean.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This was the Scripture God gave us in our predicament and I would have been fine with it except for five words: ‘always,’ ‘all,’ ‘anything,’ ‘everything,’ and ‘thanksgiving.’ But God wanted us to embrace his entire Word, including the challenging terms… and when we did, He gave each of us a ‘peace which transcends all understanding.’ Even when we were told that flights to South Africa were sold out until April, God still wanted us to rejoice, to be thankful, and to trust him.
Friends of a member of our team came and picked us up at the airport and took us to their home in Virginia. This family of four housed us, fed us, and encouraged us in the Lord. The Body of Christ is so beautiful! The next day they took us back to Dulles where we were greeted by the staff we had begged the night before. This time they had smiles on their faces: “You are on the flight! All of you have confirmed tickets to Namibia!” It was easier to ‘rejoice’ this day. Only twenty-four hours later than our original plan, ten hours after the group of five arrived (they had different adventures), we made it to Windhoek. Only eight of our thirty suitcases arrived with us, but we did not complain. God had rescued us.
We had an incredible trip, full of opportunities to serve people and love children. We felt God’s presence at every turn and we are so thankful. Peace relates directly to what is going on in our hearts and minds. This is why we need God to guard us in Christ Jesus. In the two verses following the ones above, Paul tells us how to think and what to do. We’re learning…
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9