Planes, trains and automobiles.

We got to DC an hour late. Which meant that we were going to have tight connections.

However, United cancelled our flight from Dulles airport. So, they rebooked us on a flight from Reagan. South African paid for our taxi, so we are in our way to Reagan for a noon departure. I pray that our flight will be on time and we are only delayed by for hours.

Our Atlanta group was able to run and make their flight.

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Landed in DC

After. Long flight, made an hour longer by headwinds, we have landed in DC.

Now we only have one hour to make it through customs, get our bags, recheck them and make it through security. Praying that United holds our flights.

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Landed safely in ghana

Had an uneventful flight to ghana. Will be on the ground for an hour and then head to DC.

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On the plane to DC

After a layover in Joburg, we are on the plane to DC.

We had an overly elaborate security process at the gate that included a full body pat down and bag search. For the life of me, I will never understand why they insist on not letting water on the plane. Doesn't make any sense.

Regardless, we are here and have a 5 hour flight to Ghana and then an hour layover for refueling. And then the fun begins with the 11 hour flight to DC. Praying we can sleep on the plane.

Making our way home!!!

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RE: Landed safely in Joburg

Wonderful! Thanks! 

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-------- Original message --------

From: "Greghatch@sbcglobal.net"

Date:03/28/2016 7:46 AM (GMT-06:00)

To: Blog ,Rachael Hatch

Subject: Landed safely in Joburg

Made it on time and safely to South Africa!!

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RE: On board the plane to Johannesburg

Good deal!  Be safe. 

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-------- Original message --------

From: Greg hatch

Date:03/28/2016 5:59 AM (GMT-06:00)

To: Blog

Cc: Rachael Hatch

Subject: On board the plane to Johannesburg

We made it to the airport in plenty of time and got everyone checked in just fine. And no issues with luggage this time! Everyone got their proper allowance of two bags a piece. 

We are now on the plane for a short ride to Joburg and then a three hour wait till we take the LONG flight back to DC and then to home.

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Landed safely in Joburg

Made it on time and safely to South Africa!!

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On board the plane to Johannesburg

We made it to the airport in plenty of time and got everyone checked in just fine. And no issues with luggage this time! Everyone got their proper allowance of two bags a piece. 

We are now on the plane for a short ride to Joburg and then a three hour wait till we take the LONG flight back to DC and then to home.

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Headed home.

We had a great excursion yesterday in Victoria Falls. We went on a lion and cheetah walk andwent shopping in zambia. Today we visiting Victoria Falls and it was amazing!!!   

We are at the airport and waiting to check in.  

It has been an amazing trip and have a lifetime of memories.   This group was amazing as was the Paul family.   Will keep updated as we make our way

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Safely in Victoria Falls

After a seven hour bus ride, we are safely in Vic falls for our excursion. We had a 30 minute delay halfway through our trip.  The lights on the bus wouldn't work. Luckily, Gerald, the maranatha lead for the country, is essentially the South African Macguyver. He was able to bypass the switch and hardwire the fuse so the lights would be on and we could continue on our way.  

Everyone is settled into their hotel and we are excited for a day of excursions tomorrow!

 

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An awesome dedication at the school

We had a great dedication at the school today. We got there and we're greeted by the church members singing. They had a number of speakers from the Union and Conference to thank the group and the headmatron from the orphanage had a presentation as well.  

The members presented us with gifts today. That is always very humbling as they can least afford to do so, but want to show their appreciation.   

Our group had the worship service.   I was originally going to preach, but was impressed to ask the group if anyone else wanted to. The youngest member of our team, Israel Nunez who is 17, wanted to preach. He did a great job today and all were blessed.  

We headed back to the dorms for lunch which was hosted by the Union.   On the way back, one of our volunteers took a picture of one of the police officers at one of the numerous checkpoints along the road. They saw it and halted the bus and took him off the bus. They wanted to arrest him!   Some of the locals traveling with us intervened and he got off with a warning. He was lucky!   It took about 30 minutes.  

Once we got back, we thanked our local team members with their team shirts and headed to Victoria Falls. We had a great time in Bulawayo and will always remember this project.  

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All completed at jobsite!

We spent a half a day at the jobsite to clean up, touch up paint and put the finishing touches on.   It is ready for church tomorrow!

Here is a shot of a completed classroom and the site. 

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Answered prayers

God DOES answer prayer. One of our volunteers needs a visa to get into zimbabwe ‎. We requested a double entry visa, but they only sent a single. We requested a double entry before we left the country but they had not responded.   Without another visa, they wouldn't let her back in from Zambia. We have been checking daily, but no response.  

The group prayed about it last night and I got the visa emailed to me today!   Now she can go on the excursion to Zambia with us!  

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Nearly done with construction

All of the structures are done and walls up and windows/doors installed. All we have left tomorrow is some braces and caps on the interior and panels over the doors. Will finish around noon and go for a mini excursion in the afternoon. 

God is good and gave us sunshine and heat on a day we could handle it as most of the work was inside or under the roof!  

Some of the construction crew will work with the children tomorrow so we took a picture with the entire crew.  

They already have the sign up for the school!

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Great weather for Wednesday at the jobsite

We had perfect weather at the jobsite.   Cloudy all day with a light rain for 10 minutes after lunch. We got all buildings roofed but one and siding on all but two. Great progress by the team!

We were joined today by half of our vbs team after they worked with the children in the morning. Very helpful to have additional hands.  

We had more guests on the jobsite today. The goats were back as were some cows.   The young cows were mixing it up with the goats and looked like they were going to get in a fight. Then a mama cow got involved and got everyone in line. Pretty funny.

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VBS report

Our vbs team has done great over the past two days. They prepared on Friday and Sunday and have taught over 110 kids each day at the orphanage! They had a concern with the CD player, but God provided for a system at the orphanage that worked better than what we had in mind!

In addition, our vbs leader Robin was sick on Monday am, but was better as soon as vbs started. Here are some pictures of the crew and vbs action.

Answered questions

Every day we go across a train track. Someone asked if it was active.   We found out today that it is as we came to it and found it blocked!   Not for lonEvery day we go across a train track. Someone asked if it was active.   We found out today that it is as we came to it and found it blocked!   Not for long as they we letting passengers off (in the middle of nowhere). g as they we letting passengers off (in the middle of nowhere).

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Tuesday at the jobsite

Had a fantastic day at the construction site. We got the roof on all but three buildings and the siding complete on almost six buildings. Only challenge is with the top panels that let light through. We will get some additional tools to help with that tomorrow. 

Here are some shots of the site as of day four.

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Fantastic day at school on Monday

Got a lot done today. Got two more buildings up with trusses and walls and the rest of the walls up. Got roofs on four buildings and siding/windows/doors on parts of three buildings. Very happy with progress today. No rain!

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Guests on jobsite today

We had guests on our jobsite today. Had goats when we showed up and a group of donkeys hung out all day. Definitely in the country.  

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Very productive day on the jobsite

In spite of rain, we got six buildings up with trusses, one just walls and one with the sheeting. Very good day and no injuries. 

Tomorrow we hope to get all trusses up and start roofing. 

 

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Afternoon in Matobo national park

After we got back from church, we headed to Matobo national park. We drove through and saw some of the rock formations it is names for and we saw a few animals on our mini safari! We saw a giraffe, wildebeest, kudu and impala. After the rain we saw the most beautiful double rainbow. 

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Church at the orphanage

We had church at the orphanage today. They have a small church on the grounds. We filled it overflowing!   They had a communion Sabbath today so it was a high Sabbath. 

We also got a tour of the orphanage today as we won't see it during the week. They are not funded by the government and are funded by the church, donations and by the school.   They eventually want to move the entire orphanage to the school complex in a few years once ‎they get the funding to build the homes.  

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First day on jobsite

Had a great day on jobsite. Lost about 30 mins to rain but great weather other than that. Everyone did great except for Leeann's shoes! She has alabama chrome on them. Got three buildings almost framed in. Great workers from Maranatha to guide us as well

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First day team picture

Here is our team ready to work. We have had a good morning thus far!

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Water issues at dorm

‎We got back from the jobsite and we're greeted by water in both bathrooms. The drain was backing up and flooding the floor. We had to scramble to get it under control and find out how to stop it. We finally did and a plumber is here trying to unclog it.   That means no showers tonight and only three bathrooms to use.   A bit of a challenge. We are praying for quick resolution and that we can shower tomorrow.  

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Job site visit

Visited the job site. One building is up already for a bathroom. We have 11 to put up. The fun starts tomorrow! 

Have a great crew to work with. Group is excited!

 

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Made it to Zimbabwe with all luggage!

‎Everyone AND their luggage all made it to Zimbabwe!   We were greeted by the kids from the orphanage and are now on our way to the dorms.   Praise the lord!

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On the plane to Bulawayo

After some very challenging luggage checkin, we are on the plane to Bulawayo. We pray for all luggage to make it and visas to be ok

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At hotel in joburg

Praise the Lord that everyone's bag made it safely and that we are all in our hotel (except for rakiya who is still in flight).

One big step down. Will be very relieved once we get into Zimbabwe and can start work!

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Landed safely in Johannesburg

No issues on flight. Will send more once we get our bags

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Landed in Ghana

After a 9 hour flight, we have landed safely in Ghana for refueling. We will be here for an hour and then take off for South Africa. Pray for continued safety!

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On the plane to South Africa

After some tense moments, all but one are on the plane. Rakiya's flight was delayed and she will meet us in Johannesburg tomorrow night.

Pray for safe travels and that our bags will be there tomorrow!

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On the plane to dc

We are ready for our first leg of the long journey. All of the group from Houston is on board the plane to Washington, D.C. Where we will meet the rest of the group and fly to Africa. All of our flights but one are on schedule. Praying that our team member from LA will make it in time.

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Zimbabwe mission trip start

Thirty volunteers leave today to go to Zimbabwe for a mission trip to construct 12 school buildings for a church run orphanage in Bulawayo. We will also conduct a vacation bible school for the orphanage while we are there.

We have made it through security and got our bags checked in for the long journey. There was a lot of concern over being charged for two bags but we all got two bags free thus far !

Pray for the group as we journey to Africa that all of our bags make it, that we have no problems with visas and that it won't rain on the job site.

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