Three flights and 24 hours later we finally arrived in Ecuador. We flew through customs and made our way to baggage claim. Piles of green and black airporters scattered the airport floor and it was time to start digging through to find my belongings. I had a cute little New York City luggage tag on my airporter so I could identify it easily. One round through looking through all the piles and my New York City tag was nowhere to be found. Taking a deep breath, I thought “okay, I probably just missed it.” So round two of digging began. Still no bag. Here’s where the panic set in. I told my team leader Olivia that my bag was missing and we checked one more time because “Third times a charm”. Yeah, not exactly because, still, no bag was found.
Deep breaths were my best friend at this point. I tried to stay calm and tried to keep my mind at ease even though I was just entering into my first country of the race without all of my things. No toiletries, no medicine, only my daypack and a pillow.
Olivia and I made our way over to the Information station and used our broken Spanish to inform them that my bag was missing. I handed the attendant my ticket and a few seconds later he told me my bag was left in Bogota, Colombia for “security reasons”. He told us that he would have it flown on the next plane out to Ecuador and that I would have my bag no later than 12 pm the next day. I could definitely make it till lunch the next day without my belongings, but I was still frustrated. He got all of our information about where to send the bag and then we exchanged goodbyes. I kept my cool until we left the desk and then silently my tears began to flow down my face. Frustrated after a 24-hour travel day, tears were the only form of emotion I had enough energy for. I was comforted quickly by Olivia and Kate (our awesome Squad Mentor) and then we headed back to meet the group, no bag in hand.
A little later our hosts came to pick us up and we headed to our home for the next two months. We were greeted with beautiful living conditions and the most gracious hosts. I was so happy to call this place home, but it still felt incomplete without my things. I went to sleep in my travel clothes with a hopeful heart that my belongings would arrive the next day.
Morning arrives and I switch into the only other pair of clothes I “in-case-of-emergency” packed in my daypack. After learning about our ministries for the next two months, I reminded my host about my missing luggage and we called the airport to get a check-in with them. They ensured us it would be delivered by 6 pm that night.
Fast forward to the next day. Still no bag. Our first day of ministry began and I was still frustrated. My squad was the kindest and everyone always made sure I had everything I needed but I just wanted to have the comfort of my own things. My pieces of home that I brought with me were sitting in the airport somewhere.
To sum up a bit of an already long story, the airport was supposed to drop off my bag at our Host site that day and they never arrived. We called again and we just decided after struggling on the phone that we would go and pick it up ourselves. After dinner, Olivia and I piled into a car with one of our hosts and a friend and trekked to the airport. We discussed the issue with the airline and told them our struggles.
This time I left the airport with bag in hand and a few extra bucks as compensation for my troubles.
Here’s what I have to say about arriving to a foreign country and not having your luggage: everything is going to be okay.
Also, it’s okay to be emotional about it.
When you pack your life into a bag for nine months and that bag goes missing, it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s not okay to dwell in it though. Every morning and night without my bag I prayed for a grateful heart. I had shelter over my head, a squad so eager to share their clothes and shower supplies with me, and leaders who constantly uplifted me + reminded me that I am a trooper. Most importantly, I have a Father who provided the ultimate sense of hope that, even if my bag never arrived, I would still be okay. He allowed me to find love in the things that I cannot control and told me to trust in His plan. Today, I am thankful for a Father that always provides and a squad that so quickly made me feel like we are a true family.
To anyone back home that knows me, you know I am not a minimalist when it comes to clothes, so I hope you get a chuckle out of me not having any clothes for a few days. To anyone who stumbles across this blog when you lose your luggage, breathe and know the Father will take care of you.
So we are here, welcome to Ecuador.
Welcome month one of the World Race.
