We returned to the Delta Counter/JFK, Gate 04 and once again we lined up with the other passengers to re-check the Visas again and to await for the madness to begin! For those of you who've never flown internationally to Ghana, on Delta Airlines, you may not understand why I said we awaited for the madness to begin...you'll have to take my word on that...
The boarding began and we, alongside the other non-revenue passengers played the waiting game. Finally! At the last minute we heard our names called, we were so elated, yes, we were on our way!! Oh, I forgot to mention that at the last minute Delta requested that our carry-on luggage be "checked-in". Most of us had packed all our clothing and toiletries in our carry-ons so that if our main luggage did not arrive with us in Ghana, we'd still be okay. Sounds like a good plan right? I did have enough sense to grab my laptap and one change of "church clothes" from my carry-on to put in my tote bag...just...in...case.
After stowing our personal items on board and buckeling up we were offered beverages and our meal orders were being taken. The main door hatch to the aircraft was still not closed yet, which means, that anything can happen...THEN (it did)..."Would all stand-by passengers please take your belongings and exit the plane, we are sorry but we are experiencing a "weight" issue." The airline opted to accept cargo in the form of freight (which they make money on) and requested we get off. What? We could not believe this was happening, WOW!! At this point we waited in the corridor where we were assured we'd get our carry-ons back, and we did not! Okay. What to do? We called my brother-in-law Pastor Fernando Cabrera who lives in the Bronx and he and his son, Joshua, came to our rescue! They picked us up and we stayed another night in New York. A good thing that came out of it was that we were able to attend New Life Outreach Intl. in Bronx, N.Y. and join in the Sunday morning celebration and worship.
At this point my father decided to head back to Richmond on Monday, this was proving to be too taxing for him and he was already scheduled to return from Ghana on that Wednesday; he would plan another trip, as a "revenue passenger" next time. Our little team was becoming discouraged and losing heart. We all agreed that dad should return. We did go back and forth, trying to decide what to do. Should we cancel and go home or keep pressing on?
Was this God trying to stop our journey? But He could've stopped it way earlier. Was He protecting us from something? Was He protecting my father's health? Yet, we coninued to see the hand of God at work providing us with free lodging and transportation. He was caring for us all along. Monday afternoon came and we were united in the same thought of pressing onward with the journey. (To be continued)
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