Above Photo: Our team assembled VERY EARLY for departure at the Ivano-Frankivsk airport…even though we were at the head of the line and early, the departure was NOT imminent! This may be the photo of the last smiles of the day…
The large group of 18 arose very early to assemble at 5:00 for transport to the airport and an anticipated return to Montgomery late that night. All transportation was present and on time and the ride to the airport went very well. This was the last thing of the day that went according to schedule.
The morning’s dawn was very late because a heavy fog had descended on us. This delayed the departure two hours but that delay was only the “icing” on the cake following a situation that almost canceled the entire process.
A new change in effect is that any additional baggage must be paid before check-in. We arrived and found first place in the line only to be told that no check-in was permitted without a paid baggage receipt. So, all had to file to the Cashier. We thought we could pay on a credit card but no we could not. We had to pay in Ukrainian Grievna. The total came to 11,000 grievna. No one had that amount. No exchange booths were opened that early in the morning. The national law forbids official bills being paid in a foreign currency. Gif and Simba had said they wished they could stay and it looked like that wish was about to become true not only for them but for the other 16!
Then we were told there was an ATM that would give us grievna. Thankfully Tanya had a card with her from one of the bank accounts that has grievna. Tanya and Ivan went to the ATM to see if it had that much money in it. While they were gone all others began digging in their pockets to see how much grievna they had. We came up with a mountain of bills but most were 1 & 2 bills and getting a total of 11,000 from that denomination would be amazing. To be sure it was quite a spectacle at 5:00+ am. Finally with the ATM and the combined amounts we paid the baggage and one-by-one each walked through the security door and into the waiting room.
Several of us were to stay to see the plane leave. We walked up to the second floor and waited and waited and waited. Finally, someone came by saying the flight was delayed because of fog. So, we went to have coffee. We waited and waited and another update said it would be a 9:30 departure. At that point we were saturated with coffee and decided there was no need in remaining. We received word that the group finally boarded and arrived in Kyiv.
I am not sure of the narrative after arrival in Kyiv but they had to reclaim baggage and check in baggage and go thru security and passport control and get to their departure gate. Eventually this was navigated and they were at the gate ready to board. All seemed well. But then I received this text from Johnny:
“Well…we just landed…back in Kiev. Evidently, we hit a bird in takeoff that damaged some equipment and had to turn around. Not sure of delay time. But we only had one-hour window in Amsterdam. So likely we are delayed in Europe.”
A frantic effort followed to try to find a way back to the USA as scheduled but all was impossible. Eventually the group was divided and split into two groups flying thru Vienna instead of Amsterdam and arriving several hours apart from one another.
As I write this one group has left and is on the way to Vienna and the second group is drinking coffee and waiting to depart. All has worked out, so it seems, but Scott Lockwood was to pilot a United Flight and be in London on Monday…not sure how that will happen!
Below are some photos of the travel adventure.
I leave Ivano-Frankivsk this afternoon (Sunday) at 4:30. I am going to Kyiv and have a full week scheduled there with visits to surrounding distribution sites and meetings regarding our efforts. There seems to be someone who questions my “existence.” Consequently problem after problem has arisen to stall approvals for our shipments. I am told that if certain payments are made then problems will evaporate!
At this point allow me to “chase a rabbit”…on these trips I often visit orphanages that have children infected with parasites–as long as the parasite feeds from the host they survive. Let me be very clear…if a parasite is discovered the physician immediately sees that the proper treatment is made so the evil parasite is removed. Perhaps a clearer description of the process for removing a parasite is in the directive “Terminate with extreme prejudice.” As long as the host feeds the parasite there is danger.
Continue to praying for those traveling back to the USA today and pray for my efforts this week!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
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