Delayed. This is one of the most frustrating words to hear when you're traveling. For nearly one year I have been working with a team of five people to take a mission trip to Durban, South Africa. We had it all planned out. Plane tickets were purchased. Hotels were reserved. Thousands of VBS supplies were packed. But from the moment we stepped foot through the airport's doors, we were greeted with "delayed."
Here's an overview of the slowest trip to Newark, NJ I've ever taken. We left our church building in Jonesville, NC at 9:00 AM with plans to take off from Charlotte, NC around 2:00 PM. We got to the airport in Charlotte and grabbed a quick lunch as we waited for our group to be called for boarding. However, instead of a line heading into the plane, a line was filing out.
"We're sorry to inform you that the captain has not arrived. We are seeking another. We should be able to take off around 4:00 PM"
Delayed. And so we took laps around the airport and stressed a little over whether or not we would make our connecting flight from Newark to Johannesburg, South Africa. In due time, 4:00 PM rolled around, and the plane was filled with our bags and frustrated friends. We were stressed about making our connecting flight because it was set to take off at 8:45 PM and the initial projected arrival to Newark, NJ was 6:30 PM. It was a doable transfer, but a little close for comfort considering we still needed to get our dinner.
After arriving to Newark, that small stress was traded for a much larger one. We heard that dreaded word again. Delayed.
"Flight number UA198 has been delayed. The captain refused the plane due to mechanical issues. We will be bringing in a plane from Chicago. Estimated takeoff is now 11:30 PM"
Here is where fear began to settle in for me. We had yet another connecting flight from Johannesburg to Durban, South Africa that we needed to make. Otherwise, we would have to find transport for a 6-hour trip to the city or wait for the next flight. This would cause us to get a late start to the full work week we had planned. With this new departure time, we were to land in Johannesburg at 7:35 PM and need to board our connecting flight by 7:45 PM. After the time it takes to get off the plane and go through customs, it was an impossibility. The dominos were falling and each one crashed with a resounding, "delayed."
We wrestled through the reality that we were sure to be late. But as long as we got there in time for our VBS to begin on Monday, it would still be worth it. And so when 11:30 PM hit, we were seated and beginning to be settled in our spots for a long flight ahead. Instead of hearing the roar of the engines, at 11:45 PM we heard our captain come over the intercom and say,
"We're sorry for the inconvenience, but this flight has been canceled. As you exit the plane, visit customer service to rebook your flight and get any vouchers that are due you."
He also cited some fuel regulation that made no sense to us or the flight attendants, but there we were again; delayed. We hauled our luggage back off of the plane, fighting sleep and ready to fight the airline. After hours of calling customer service, standing in line, and chasing down employees we got our final answer. Around 3:00 AM we were told that the earliest we would arrive in Durban was Monday morning. That is assuming no other flight would be delayed or canceled. What was planned to be a 5-day work-week had been reduced to 2 at best.
It was at this time that we sorrowfully decided to cancel the trip and head home. From 3:00 AM to 11:00 AM, when the church van pulled into my driveway, I wrestled with what I experienced on this trip. One question more than any caused me the most trouble.
Why would God provide all the means necessary (thousands of dollars and hours of planning) to get to Durban, but not the planes? Why the delays?
To this day, I still don't have the answer to that question. I'm not sure I will get it on this side of Heaven. However, after talking with the mission team and other brothers and sisters in Christ, here's where I have landed (no pun intended). God was answering the prayers of the saints with the word that had so resounded throughout the trip: delayed.
Perhaps He delayed our trip to keep us safe from a plane failure or troubles we would have faced in-country. Perhaps He delayed us so that we would meet someone on the plane ride home we wouldn't have otherwise. Perhaps He delayed us simply to test our faith. Whatever the reason, delayed is His answer. And so delayed is no longer my frustration but my comfort. For I know "that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Lord willing, we will try to take this trip again in 2024. But until then, I pray that my heart will be satisfied with being delayed.
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