Visit Every City

Day 1 – 14th January 2023

Yesterday afternoon, in the midst of packing my bags and fielding emails and phone calls, I texted a friend to ask him which sermon I should give at services the next day. He opted for the one I already had mostly written. I’m thankful for that since I honestly think it was the message (between the two choices) that was meant to be given. The other message I’ll save for another day (and finish writing it). I didn’t know how relieved I would feel having most of my preparation for both Sabbath services and my trip done. It gave me some extra quiet time with my lovely wife Lena who has been traveling with me constantly for years. This time I’ll be leaving my favorite travel companion home. Someone has to take care of the dog I guess. Since this particular trip wasn’t planned that far ahead, and since Lena actually has her own work to get done, she’s not able to be with me.

We went to Sabbath services in Queens today which is not far from the JFK airport. It worked out for me to plan to catch my first flight in the evening so Lena could drop me off after services and head home. As always, it was lovely fellowshipping with our brethren. They are always so supportive of the need for brethren in other places to be visited from time to time. I really do wish I could bring them all with me so they can make connections with their brethren in faraway places.

There are always certain aspects of travel that are expected, but it’s always good to anticipate the unexpected if possible. I’m traveling on Ethiopian Airlines which usually has the cheapest flights to Malawi and Zimbabwe. This trip to Zim is no exception. Typically on such trips the airline schedules a stopover in the capital city, Addis Ababa. Lena and I have traveled through this airport several times through the years but have never had the opportunity to leave the airport and see the host country. We have mixed memories about the airport as we’ve seen it seemingly constantly undergoing upgrades. The lines are usually long and crowded. They used to allow smoking in various parts of the airport. One time we ate at one of the restaurants with some friends of ours and most of us (maybe all of us) got sick afterwards. When we are there I usually see a vendor selling traditional Ethiopian coffee and serving it in the traditional manner, but I’ve never had the chance to sit and try it for myself. All in all it hasn’t been the most impressive experience.

Lena dropped me off about five hours before my flight is scheduled to depart. There’s a quick stopover in Lomé, Togo and then we’ll be off to Addis Ababa where I’m scheduled to spend twelve hours from touchdown to takeoff. That should be plenty of time to clear customs and explore more of the airport to see what kinds of upgrades have been made since my last visit. I had checked in online yesterday, but had decided to check in at the desk just in case. Since I was so early there were no lines. The one and only desk attendant started to step away after obviously scarfing down a late lunch, but when he saw me heading over he stepped back behind the counter. I handed him my passport and asked a few questions about some of the travel details. I was pleasantly surprised when he said that he had prepared a hotel voucher for me in Addis Ababa. I guess this might be standard practice for longer layovers. He handed me my passport, two boarding passes (for JFK to ADD, and ADD to HRE), and a printed hotel voucher.

Does this mean I’ll actually be able to see more of Ethiopia than just the airport?!

The voucher includes one night in a nearby hotel, an airport shuttle to and from, and breakfast in the morning. I’m only slightly concerned that I won’t get back in time to go back through customs and security, and catch my flight on Monday morning. I’m going to have to do some research once I’m through customs on the other side. I also need to find out if they’ll let me keep my vitamins and medications if I leave the airport (some of the details about vitamins and medicines was unclear on the customs declaration form that was stapled to the hotel voucher). If it all works out I can add another country to my list. I already know I like Ethiopian food. I’ve had it in the US at restaurants and homemade by some of the ladies in the Queens congregation, as well as in Malawi at an Ethiopian restaurant. So far the homemade injera (Ethiopian bread) was by far the best!

I’ll be praying that it all works out and that my journey is uneventful. It’s easy to try and plan for the unexpected, but you can’t always be sure of what things will come. “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:15).

– Lewis VanAusdle