And so are all of their belongings, their animals, and their suitcases. Today they fly out of Haiti on MFI's DC 3 (Missionary Flights International). A tropical wave has been going through the area, which has resulted in their last 2-3 days being very rainy.
Their long, steep driveway partially washed away and they had to rebuild it so the truck loaded with their stuff could get out and on the road to meet them at the plane. Even so, the truck almost tipped over and it took 2 tries for it to get up the rebuilt, muddy, slick driveway. Their stuff got wet, but we're not sure to what extent.
A DC 3 trip is quite an experience. Cargo of all sizes and shapes as well as the animal crates are strapped securely down. Only enough seats are added for the exact number of passengers that are on the plane. It is not known for its amenities! There's a port-a-potty in the back tail area. It's loud and the trip is over 5 hours long. But God uses MFI and these DC 3s in such a vital way! They provide mail, purchasing, cargo, shipping and transporting services for over 300 missionaries.
[We personally used MFI's services for over 20 years. We received mail, packages, cargo and even Thanksgiving turkeys via MFI. We flew into Haiti with them numerous times and were evacuated from Haiti twice on MFI. Our final flight out of Haiti was when we moved 3 years ago...all our belongings, animals and suitcases! We appreciate them and their ministry so much!!]
Once they land at MFI's base in Ft. Pierce, Florida, they will spend the night there. Tomorrow their belongings will have to clear customs before they can claim it, load it up and hit to road to Texas. RMI President, Dan Shoemaker, and RMI's VP of US Operations, Rob Thompson, will be meeting them there in Ft. Pierce to help them load their stuff and touch base with them before they leave. They hope to arrive in Texas Sunday.
Pray for them. They will be bone-tired! Pray for them also as they start down this new path that God has laid out for them. Billy will still be doing his US Sister Church Partnership Coordinator job with RMI. They will still need your support!!
