Unexpected Trip to Istanbul

Well, I can now say that I have been to Istanbul.  The last 24 hours have gone very differently than planned, but have turned out well.   I got to the Richmond, VA airport and was the only one in line to check-in.  Then I went through security where there were about 10 people in front of me.  The flight coming into Richmond from Chicago was delayed, so we boarded the plane a few minutes late.  We were zooming down the runway when all of a sudden the pilot slammed on the brakes.  That was a first for me.  A light had come on in the cockpit indicating a problem.  We went back to the gate and they had us deplane while the plane was looked at.  Several hours later, we were still sitting there.  Thankfully, the staff were very helpful and re-routed me through Istanbul since I would not make it in time for my original flight through the United Arab Emirates. They got most of us onto the next flight to Chicago, which left about 30 minutes late due to the chaos of switching so many passengers and their luggage.  Thankfully, I was one of the first one switched, so I am pretty sure my luggage is probably coming with me.  However, they didn't give me the new baggage tags, so hopefully this will not be a problem in Almaty.

We arrived in Chicago about the time when my plane was supposed to start boarding.  I was in the terminal that serviced American Airlines.  As a result, none of the screens told me where to go to catch my flight.  Someone helped me find out that the international terminal was terminal five and then a security guard guided me in getting there.  Changing terminals required going through security again.  Also, they weren't able to give me my boarding pass in Richmond, so I had to get it in Chicago.  I was racing through the airport and when I got to the gate I realized I didn't need to rush since the boarding process still hadn't begun.

I had a great flight.  I sat next to a man from Somalia who was heading to see family in Kenya.  It was fun to be able to tell him I had lived in Kenya when I was small.  I slept most of the 10 hour flight.  Turkish airlines has foot rests on their planes, which is convenient for those of us that are short but were not very helpful to those that were tall.  The man beside me had his knees up near his chin when he put his feet on the footrest.

Well, I am currently in Istanbul waiting for the last leg of my journey (by plane).  I will arrive in Almaty at 5:10 am and then head on a train to Taraz around 3pm.  I should arrive around midnight.

Nivienne Grace Price

After a rough day, my sister gave birth to their first child on at 3:38 am on April 5th.  They ended up having to do a C-section.  Nivienne Grace was 8 lbs 3 ounces and 20 inches.

God has blessed me so much to allow me to be here with my family during this time.  With my leaving for Kazakhstan on April 16th for 2-3 years, there was such a short window of my being able to be here and meet my niece!  I am so very thankful to have this next week here with my family.

Also, Nivienne was born on the birthday of my Kazakh brother!  It's fun to see my two families drawn together in another way!

Last Minute Blessings

I am in Montana spending some time with my family before I head back to Kazakhstan on April 16th.  Today I received my one-year Kazakh visa.  This is great news as visas have been harder to get more recently.  All the details are lining up for my departure.

We are still waiting for my niece to arrive.  They will start inducing tonight if my sister has not started labor by then.  Please pray for my sister, brother-in-law, and new niece during this time.  Also, my brother-in-law has his dissertation defense for his doctorate degree on April 10th, so it has been a very busy time for him.  It is fun to be with my family during this special time.  

Last week my wallet went missing on my flight from Denver to Montana.  The thing is, it really couldn't have been any better timing.  I noticed it once I had arrived in Montana, so I didn't need any ID to get on another flight.  Also, I had recently applied for a new license due to a change in address.  As a result, the license was already mailed to someone in Indiana who has forwarded that on to me.  My credit cards with new numbers arrived in the mail the next day.  The only other thing I am dealing with is getting my new ATM card, but that is in process.  Also, I guess I will have to buy a new wallet.  Other than that, everything has worked out without much hassle at all.  

I have 13 days before I leave for Kazakhstan and am encouraged by how things are coming together.  The only main thing remaining is that I still need some additional monthly support.  To see my remaining need or donate online see the right sidebar.   

Highlights

I've had a great time here in Muncie!  It is hard to believe that I will be leaving on Thursday for Colorado.  I'm looking forward to time with friends there before heading to Montana for the birth of my niece!  It will be good to catch up with everyone that I haven't seen yet!

The great news for today is that I received my confirmation number for my Kazakhstan visa.  This is just one more step towards my departure on April 16th.  I still have a few more things to finish up and need a few new financial partners, but things are moving along great!  

Another exciting piece of news that I received last week is that as long as nothing changes, I will have 3 people from Lynchburg with me in Taraz this summer to help host delegations!  

In case you are wondering what takes place to prepare to head back to Kazakhstan, I figured I'd give you a list of some of the things I've been doing these last couple weeks.  

• Doctor visit, including updated immunizations
• A trip to the local blood lab for general blood work
• HIV test - needed to get a Kazakhstan visa
• Visiting with friends
• Attending my last board meeting for Inside Out 
• An open house in Muncie
• Packing, sorting, unpacking, repacking, and weighing luggage
• Helping out some in the Interlink office
• Speaking to the youth I worked with in Muncie
• Helping serve meals at Blood N Fire and visiting with my friends there
• Panera and Starbucks have been the most visited locations
• Watching some basketball in the evenings
• A pancake breakfast with my small group
• Getting new passport pictures
• Taking/printing a new picture to give out to friends
• Mailing away my visa application
• Sliding down some great slides at Tuhey Park

Saying Goodbye

I have begun the process of saying goodbye to people for the last time.  Last weekend, I spent time in Maryland and Pennsylvania.  I was able to see many good friends and got to visit with my grandpa.  It was fun to be with so many people that have known me since I was a kid.  It was also great to get to see my grandpa a couple times.

This process of saying goodbye can be tough.  I choose to take these five weeks and make as many joyous memories as possible as I spend time catching up with friends!  I expect that the next few weeks will be filled with lots of laughter!

I have posted a schedule of my travels below and would love to see you.  Let me know if  you'd like to catch up when I come through town.  If you have a suggestion of time and place that would be greatly appreciated as the number of decisions I have to make during these periods of transitions skyrockets.  As a result, any help in the decision making process would be great!

Hope to see many of you soon!

March 10-21 - Muncie, IN
March 22 - 29 - Colorado
March 29 - April 13 Montana
April 14 - April 16 - Lynchburg, VA