Boarding a jet plane for a lunch date in Montego Bay, Jamaica may sound carefree, luxurious, romantic, and even extravagant. But wait; you need to read the "rest of the story."
Recently, Bea and I had to get up at 3:30 in the morning, to get ready for a drive to the Tampa airport. Our van was loaded with four 70 pound cases plus two 40 pound carry-on bags. That's over 350 pounds of vitamins, clothing, Christian books, and other materials all to help Christians in Jamaica.
After check-in and security checks we sat waiting in the gate area for the four person team from First Christian, of Largo, that was to join us for the going portion of the flight. They would be staying for a week. The flight to Miami was called for barding, still we saw no one. We waited till nearly the last minute. Now we were wondering if something happened while the Largo team drove to the airport, or if they cancelled their trip. Would Terry Johnson be at the airport in Jamaica? We were traveling as a group to help ease our inspection through customs. Now what would happen? Should we stop?
We boarded the airplane on faith. We found our seats. The flight attendants closed the overhead bins, made the initial safety announcement, and walked the aisle checking seat belts. As the door was about to be closed, four smiling people made their way down the isle. Each person wore a bright yellow tee shirt with bold black letters, JAMAICAN CHRISTIAN MISSION.
The rest of our trip was routine. The flight landed in Miami on time, we had a very brisk walk to the opposite end of the airport. Miami International has signs to inform you the walk is 15 minutes to your gate; 9 minutes to your gate; 5 minutes if you don't stop now, 3 minutes and you can finally rest. We made it, and all without air conditioning.
Bea and I only fly standby. This time the others boarded and we waited. The flight was booked full. Finally the agent called out, "Walter MY-EL-KEY." We were on!
The two hour flight to Montego Bay was smooth. We eat our "health" bars which we brought with us. The airlines got tired of hearing all the jokes about bad airline meals, so they have stopped serving them. Instead, they now tell jokes, which are worse than any of the meals they ever served.
When the aircraft door was opened in Jamaica, we were greeted by a blast of the hot, humid air. We walked down the stairs, across the ramp (not all of the gates have jetways or air bridges) and into the terminal. We walked in from the end of the building, then up the stairs to passport control. Once there, the six of us were divided into different lines for processing. I wish I could have photographed the agents face when I told her that we were there for lunch and that we were flying back in four hours.
Once we cleared Immigration, it was back down stairs to claim our bags and clear customs. The Largo team was greatly delayed, but eventually appeared and claimed their luggage.
It was prayer time! In faith we joined the line with those who had "Nothing to Declare." We were told to open our four cases. However, the agent was so overworked that her inspecting was nothing more than a quick look inside each case. Praise God! We were in!
Once outside, Terry, Elena, and their son Christian were waiting! We loaded the mini-bus, which meant lifting and tying some of the luggage onto its roof.
Terry took us to a nearby restaurant. We were all starved! After enjoying the locale fare, Terry drove us back to the airport for our goodbyes.
We checked in for an uneventful return trip home, back through Miami. I love it when we tell the U.S. Customs Inspector that our cases are all empty. He is able to see the date stamps in our passports, showing we were in and out the same day. He sees our large cases and our carry on bags. You can just about read his mind. Then I explain that I am retired from the airlines and use my pass privileges to take supplies to missionaries around the world. I wonder how many returning U. S. Citizens are passed through customs with the words, "May God bless you!"
At about 9:30 PM we were both back in Tampa and very tired. Before midnight we were home, in our own bed, thankful for "lunch in Jamaica."
For information regarding how ICMCS can partner with your church, please contact the International Christian Ministry Carrier Service at:
ICMCS
Chancey Road Christian Church
34921 Chancey Road
Zephyrhills, FL 33541
