Here I am sitting in Dubai airport. Going on hour 39 without
having any real sleep so forgive me if nothing makes sense. However, I did want
to give you all an update while I have plenty of time to do so. My last flight
isn’t for another four hours.
I’ve been preparing for this trip for the last year and
finally the day came. For the last week I’d been saying goodbyes and shedding
tears. Trying to do so when nobody was around. I’d done this before and I could
do it again. It’s not that I wasn’t excited about the trip. In fact I’ve been
counting down the days for the past couple months. I can’t wait to step out of
the airplane and feel the sweet Ugandan air welcome me. And I was rather proud
of how well I held myself together that last week… until Wednesday night when
It was the last one I’d spend with my Travis and his family. That’s when it
started to hit me hard and Trav caught onto that. I sat on his lap feeling his
strong, safe arms around me and I couldn’t stop the tears. How on earth was I
going to spend five weeks without him. 8,000+ miles away? I left the house that
night after hugs from everybody and I didn’t even try to stop the tears from
flowing down my face. How lucky was I to have two families who made leaving so
hard?
Tuesday morning I woke up at 5:00am after 4 hours of sleep,
ready to start my journey. Having caught a virus that’s been going around I
didn’t feel too great but was determined to stay positive. I got all ready,
loaded my luggage in my rig and said goodbye to my own family. I hit the road
for the next 20 miles to Lolo where Travis would drive me to the airport.
Fighting off waves of nausea and a headache on top of trying not to bawl my
eyes out we made it to the airport. Inside the airport I started to feel really
bad, I’m not completely sure if it was from the virus or from the reality that
this is the last time I’d see my fiancé for thirty seven days I’m not sure.
Probably a mix of both. Being human I wondered why God would let me get sick
right before a crazy long trip going to do His work. Again I was reminded that
we aren’t always called to do the easy things. I made the goodbye quick because
I knew the longer it was the more likely it would be for me to not let go. I
hugged and kissed him one last time and forced myself to walk up to security half sobbing
where the guy smiles at me and says “Where are you going to?” To which I
respond “Uganda for a five week mission trip.” He smiles at me and says “Be
careful, and make sure you come back home to him” I managed a “Yes sir” glanced
back one more time and walked through to the other side. If you've never said goodbye to the love of your life you have no idea. Believe me. As mentally prepared as I was, I had no idea what it would be like. It's like your heart being ripped out of your chest, leaving a part of yourself behind. It's like no feeling I've ever felt. But I know, that it will make coming home that much sweeter.
A quick and easy flight took me to Seattle where I had a 5
hour layover before boarding my 14 hour flight to Dubai. Boarding my second
flight I said goodbye to the US. The flight to Dubai was nice and easy, it
wasn’t filled so I had a whole row to myself so I was able to stretch out and
relax some. By the time I landed at DXB airport I was completely lost on the
time and day. International travel does that to you when you have constant
flights and are traveling through 11 time zones. I made it through customs,
picked up my checked baggage which thankfully arrived safely and rechecked it
to Entebbe. Now 13 hours til my next flight. Feeling the wear of travel, lack
of sleep, sick and finding out that I couldn’t even check in for five more
hours I was a little discouraged. I eventually found some food, medicine and a
semi quiet spot to rest for awhile. I was able to chat with Travis via fb
messenger. After being able to talk to him and spending some quiet time with
God I don’t really feel better physically but I am more encouraged.
Now in just over two hours I will board my last flight to
Entebbe, Uganda. I am really looking forward to lying down in a bed and
sleeping for awhile. Even more than that I am ready to see what God has in
store for the me next five weeks. I am well aware that He will take me out of
my comfort zone, make me uncomfortable and I’ll probably do some really hard
things. But I am excited to see in what areas He has me grow and how I can
serve in my beloved Uganda. I won’t lie, I know it will be challenging and I’ll
get discouraged. I know that I’m gonna miss Travis like crazy (I already am)
but my heart is open, willing and ready. Let’s get this show on the road.
Glory to God in the highest. ~KrissElise
