Argentina
We finally arrived! In many ways, it still feels like a dream. Each of us has faced different challenges leading up to this trip, but I have no doubt that God is in the details. Please continue to pray for the health of our team and their families.
Sunday morning was a special blessing as we worshiped with our dear friends and their families. A huge shoutout to the amazing BBQ team at Northside for making sure we were well-fed before heading to the airport. And what a gift it was to be transported in style—rather than a church van, our friends from Covenant Fellowship in Conroe got up early, drove to Huntsville, and surprised us with a beautiful charter bus. That act of kindness meant so much to our team!
At the airport, Blake and I had our share of travel hiccups. After checking in five bags—some filled with goodies for the conference—Blake limped through security, only to be selected for a random check after forgetting a pencil in his pocket (oops!). Meanwhile, I had to say goodbye to my beloved jar of honey, which was over the limit. But thanks to a kind lounge attendant, I was restocked with a fresh cup of honey for my tea before boarding.
The rest of the group faced a few minor delays but made it to the gate in plenty of time. Our pilot, a little too eager, announced we were ready for takeoff—only for us to be pulled back to the gate for a maintenance issue. Once that was resolved, we were finally off! It was a nearly 10-hour flight in some of the tiniest seats I’ve ever experienced on an international trip, but the flight attendants were wonderful, and everyone took the delay in stride. A win in my book!
Customs was… an adventure. The lines were long (as expected), and getting our group through felt like herding cats. My own misstep? Forgetting to leave my cup of honey on the plane. By the time I reached customs, the lid was coming off, and honey was dripping down the side. The agent’s expression when I handed him that sticky cup was priceless. He quickly passed it off to another agent, who regretfully informed me that my honey wouldn’t be making it into the country.
But that was just the beginning. Sonja, Cathi, and Terri had carefully planned, purchased, and packed suitcases full of supplies for the women’s conference—only for customs to take issue with their foresight. Gage had the honor of being stopped with a load of bags for a thorough search, and Cathi and Kyle joined the fun when customs confiscated all the dessert ingredients Cathi had brought. Ultimately, the agents showed us some grace and advised us to ship any future supplies to avoid the risk of resale concerns.
Whew—on to the next adventure!
After a much-needed lunch and some long naps on the bus ride to Pergamino, we ended the day with the absolute best helado. Our final surprise? “No room at the inn.” Upon arrival, we were told there were no reservations. Thankfully, the hotel graciously accommodated us, and we were met with clean rooms, hot showers, great water pressure, and cold A/C—what more could this weary team ask for?
Your continued prayers mean the world to us as we begin the work we came here to do. Stay tuned for more updates!
