I have been looking for those ruby red slippers. Somebody said that they sold them at Wal-mart and I actually looked for them on several occasions. I never could find them in my size. I wanted them because I found myself dreaming about just clicking those bright red shoes together as I recited “ There’s no place like home”. Moving is an enormous amount of work and the idea of tapping red shoes together seemed easier--easier yes, reality no.
Reality was that we would end up having just under three weeks to pack and prepare a shipment. Reality was that because there was not time to plan we didn’t have enough space in the shipment. Reality was that when all was said and done and we had our bags packed and tropical storm blew through Florida. Flights were delayed. The bags had to be semi unpacked and repacked. Lord, I am TIRED of packing!!!
In the midst of it all we were so blessed to have the family of God rally around us and help us get through it all. Just before we packed our container, our good friends and pastors Walt and Tina Nelson came by with a donation for our shipment. They saw all our stress and helped us pack a few things. As I chatted with Tina, I asked her the common small talk question. “ How are things going at your church? To which she replied. “ Going... long pause... smile... in the right direction.” That simple little response really hit me. In the middle of so much work, stress, and problem. It was this wonderful assurance that no matter what; we were going in the right direction. I was running toward my purpose.
The day finally came! On August 20, 2008 we boarded a plane headed in the right direction. Boarding that plane was not simple matter. We arrived at Tampa International airport with 17 suitcases, 1 guitar, 5 roller carry on luggage pieces and 1 saxophone, all required to weigh less than 50 lbs. My teenagers we mortified as we had to open suitcases and rearrange a few shoes, books or whatever to keep every suitcase at exactly 49.99 lbs. I don’t blame them, even I was concerned about flying underwear as everyone at the ticket counter watched us like we were free entertainment.
The plane left late from Tampa which put us in Miami a little late. So we booked down the concourse to make the next flight. WE WERE NOT GOING TO MISS OUR FLIGHT! One problem--we hadn’t really eaten anything but granola bars. It was around 2 p.m. and we were starved! So picture it in your mind--me, Nelson and our four boys--all of us with rolling luggage and one with a sax--running to our gate with little guys whining, “I can’t run mommy, I’m so hungry” So we stopped quickly to get some pizza and chinese food to go (all at the same place) and hurried on to our gate. When we got to our gate, everyone is sitting around with that, bored, irritated face that indicated to us immediately that the flight was delayed. So we sat down in a little corner and stuffed our faces until the announcement came over the intercom.
“American Airlines Flight 364 has been moved to gate F-82. Please gather your things and move to gate F-82 as we will be boarding shortly.” We were sitting in F-2.
I had just got settled eating my chicken and fried rice scooped out of the plastic bag that I held as I ran across the concourse! Oh how I wished for ruby red slippers in that moment. Not so much to transport me home but just to transport me, the boys, the five bags, one saxophone and my fried rice to F-82.
We moved. We waited--more delay, It turns out that Tropical Storm Fay was taking up residence in North Florida and consequently flights were delayed in Miami. We ate (not without one of the pizzas spilling along the way which resulted in a great big, noisy, and dramatic melt-down by my very tired 8 year old--more entertainment for American Airlines personnel and our traveling companions.) and finally the words I had been longing to hear rang out as if sung with choir music in the background, “American Airlines flight 842 is now boarding for Santo Domingo”
Finally! We were finally headed home! The flight went smoothly, as tired as we were nobody even slept. The boys next with the window seats kept their eyes gazing out the windows, waiting for the moment when our island came into view. We landed just as the sun was setting. We crowded up next to the window to watch the beauty of the Caribbean coast with palm trees, little shack houses, and motorcycles zipping along the highway from high in the sky. As the plane landed, I felt like an Olympic runner that was finally coming to the finish line. Victory was in view!
Then after so much difficulty and obstacles an amazing, unexpected thing happened. We gathered our 17 bags, 1 guitar, 5 roller bags and the saxophone quickly and easily. We got up to the customs guys, ready to beg for mercy and they just waved us on through. It turns out that they did this because we were missionaries. (makes me grateful when I think of all my colleague who enter sensitive countries secretly and dangerously) We walked down the hall filled with beautiful photos of Dominican children and beaches, and tears came to my eyes. We made it!
Then I heard music coming from outside the door. It was merengue music. We heard cheering and singing. I wondered if there was a Dominican celebrity on our flight. Then I saw their faces. It was our family. Our missionary colleagues. Our staff. Young people all wearing their Kings Castle shirts singing and cheering. Then twenty little girls came running to me with hugs and kisses. It was the girls and boys from Bethesda children’s home. They had a bouquet of flowers and a bright yellow beautiful sign, with words written in gold glitter, “Welcome home to our Missionaries, Nelson, Rennae and family”
I became a blubbering, crying, happy, hugging, kissing mess! As we made our our way outside,( it took awhile, we had to hug and kiss them all!!!) all of a sudden we heard barking and then my boys went crazy! Joel brought our little miniature dachshund, named Holly, running to us on a leash. The boys had missed that dog so much during our 14 months of itineration in the US. They talked about her all the time and couldn’t wait to see her. Having her to there to greet us at the airport was a special gift.
Ketty, my ministry partner and director of the girls home brought us an enormous basket of fruit with papaya, mango, bananas, passion fruit along with a pizza, chicken, soda pop, and a cake. Now the beautiful cake with “Bienvenido familia de Freitas” had unfortunately been dropped at the airport and was not so beautiful but we ate it nonetheless.
We arrived home and our staff helped us get settled in, served us the food, washed the dishes, took 17 suitcases up the stairs and enjoyed the "dropped-on-the airport-floor "cake with us. Our missionary colleagues the Anonbys and the Bellos had stocked the cupboards with food. Elena Anonby made us a batch of homemade cookies and my favorite bran muffins that she makes (mmmmm!!) Sugeily had and arrangement of bird of paradise flowers (commonly found here in the DR) on the table.
