London Flights

Saying goodbye is never easy. But when 9 very special people pray over you and embrace you with tear-filled eyes at the airport, the goodbyes are actually painful. There were moments on that Minneapolis-Chicago flight that I choked over flashback memories of the people I love, of the people I have left behind.

We were early to Chicago which was good, since I only had 50 minutes before my London flight took off. Unfortunately we had to sit in active taxi space for over 40 minutes waiting for a gate to open up. Upon deplaning at concourse B, I checked the departure monitors. My flight to London: concourse C, status: boarding! I've never run so fast. Yet another reason I prefer to pack light in case of events such as these. But as light as I packed, my backpack slowed me down. I recalled the story my parents had just reminded me of less than two hours before. They had to do this with their Europe connection when they came to visit me in Liberia. And here I was, running through Chicago O'Hare just like them.

At the top of the escalator my gate was the one straight ahead. The boarding door was closed but an agent called me by name. "Are you Jonathan?"

"YES!" I panted. They checked my ticket and passport and opened the door. I coughed for the first hour of the flight. But I had made it. My checked bag had arrived ahead of me on an earlier flight, so me and all of my things arrived in London safe and sound. Travel mercies, as Rita Arpon and Mary Anne Bull say, but with a hint of adventure, humor, and irony.

Around the World in 33 Days

A while back I read Jules Verne's classic, Around the World In 80 days. I loved the idea of traveling to a variety of places, meeting numerous people in a multitude of contexts, and literally circumnavigate the globe. In 2006 I began a journey that ended 11 months later traveling from West to East. On February 18 I will depart again, returning 33 days later, this time going East to West.

Although traveling excites me, it is not my motivation.

My purpose in West Africa is to encourage the nationals running the ministry at the King's Arms Academy. My departure from Liberia nearly one year ago was with uncertainty and confusion. Since I have left, I have received word that my Liberian brothers and sisters have assumed all of the responsibilities to running a school and are doing a terrific job of it. I am proud of them. They need to hear that from me in person.

My purpose in Southeast Asia is more visionary in nature. From my desire to work among children and encourage educators in a variety of Southeast Asian contexts, it would most economical to be based in a central Southeast Asian location. From this side of the planet, Singapore and Chiang Mai have looked like excellent choices. However, since I have not been to either of these places, a trip to check things out, establish connections, and learn first hand is in line.

In 33 days, here's the itinerary:

February 18: Travel Day: Minneapolis, Chicago, London

February 19-21: United Kingdom

February 22: Travel Day: London, Casablanca, Monrovia

February 23-March 8: Liberia

March 9-10: Travel Days: Monrovia, Casablanca, London, Singapore

March 11-16: Singapore

March 17-21: Chiang Mai, Thailand

March 22: Travel Day: Singapore, Chicago, Minneapolis