Esther (my sister) met us in LA where we had a 12 hour layover Friday, and we checked into a Motel 6 to rest for the day. It was the perfect medicine before our 14 hour trip to Taipei. Abe was a star on the plane. We had a little bassinet connected to the wall above our feet where he slept most of the way. His mother, on the other hand, was fighting a searing headache and nausea for the whole entire trip. Boy was I glad to reach land when we arrived Sunday afternoon local time!
It's been amazing to see how people here respond to babies. In the U.S. nowadays, many airlines don't even allow babies to board first. When we arrived to Taipei, we were treated like kings and queens carrying precious treasure. An older lady grabbed our stroller when she saw me struggling with Abe in my arms plus bags, and ushered it through the line... another lady took Abe's blanket and tenderly covered his head to shield him from the cold... throngs of people would part like the Red Sea wherever we walked, making sure there was plenty of room for the baby. What a blessing to see their eyes light up when he would send off a sweet smile in return.
Some seasoned colleagues met us at the airport and stocked our fridge with the necessities (bread and coffee, and fresh mangoes that taste like they arrived on platters from heaven). We've got a stack of materials to read about everything from bus routes to local foods.
It's Monday morning here, and we're adjusting to the climate and the mounds of stuff to unpack. We are so thankful for a house to stay in the next month (we're house sitting for our directors who are in South Africa, their home). Pray for strength and joy as we take in loads of information and try to find our way here. We need to buy a car seat, cell phone, and a just a few more things. Pray for us all to adjust to the heat quickly. (Note to self: the next time we come overseas, we need to pack sandals and shorts in the TOP of our suitcases). Pray for Abe to adjust quickly to opposite time here. He was sleeping 7 hours a night before we left. Pray for that to continue!
Pray for me to walk in peace. It's amazing how different everything feels right now, through the eyes of a parent. It's not like I'm a novice to this travel thing! Pray I would give my anxiety to the Lord and trust my Father to guide us in loving Abraham and the people God has allowed us to serve here.
4 comments:
I am glad to hear you made it safely with your precious cargo! Babies do open up a world of opportunities to meet and interact with people. Praying for God's safety and peace during this transition time.
We are so thankful to hear of your safe arrival this morning! We will continue to lift you guys up to the Lord and miss you at home group.
Hallo Rach & Mark,
Will be praying for your peace level to rise. So winter's over in Penang!
Sorry to hear about your headache, Rach. Hope it's a repressed memory by now.
Ciao,
EB
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