Out of the snow, into the gate

We've reached our first milestone on the trip to Honduras: we've arrived at Dulles Airport and are waiting for our plane.

We left Staunton at about 8pm, in the middle of a snowstorm that had been gathering strength all day. We and our luggage filled two vans, driven by hearty volunteers from the parish who were willing to get us to the airport in the snow, and who wisely decided to find a hotel room nearby and not venture home until at least some of the snow could be cleared from the roads in the morning. Thanks, John and Erik!

Leaving for Honduras in wintry weather seems to be a running theme. Last year it was freezing rain and heavy ice. This year it was snow. Makes the prospect of sub-tropical weather all the more appealing.

I'd never thought of it before, but there are certain advantages to checking in to an airport after midnight. Only a few of the airline service desks are open, so there are only a few lines to wait in. Passing through security is a breeze--once you find the one security checkpoint in the whole airport that is open 24/7. People are nicer, because there are fewer of them around to be rude. Of course, there is also the drawback of getting to your gate with three hours to spare before your flight, and having none of the concourse shops open. Makes for a good time to nap. Or blog.

So here we are, camped out on semi-comfortable airport seats, gathering our energies for church construction and relationship building and Mayan ruin visiting and a different sort of participation in the Body of Christ. And snow and late hours notwithstanding, we're off to a good start.

May the Peace of Christ be with you,
Paul+