Santa 52 Takes Flight

Our most exciting news this week was our flight on a C-130 for Operation Christmas Drop!

The day started early—6:00 a.m.—as we left our hotel, picked up another senior missionary who was joining us, and headed to Andersen Air Force Base. We reported to the 44th Aerial Port Squadron a full three hours before our 10:15 flight time. When we arrived, we learned that our flight—“Santa 52”—was headed to Palau! How fun that we would be dropping supplies on our very own islands.

As flight time approached, an announcement came over the loudspeaker that Santa’s sleigh was about ready for takeoff. We climbed aboard the massive cargo plane, and just being inside was exciting enough. Seeing the Christmas boxes loaded and ready to go made it even better.

We flew for about two hours at normal altitude, but as we neared Palau, the plane dropped low and the back ramp opened. The views were absolutely stunning.

It was fascinating to watch the careful preparation as the crew made sure everything was just right. Then, when it was time, the boxes were pushed out one by one, their parachutes opening instantly to slow their descent. We could see people on the ground waving excitedly below. We dropped two boxes each on two different islands before turning back toward Guam.

It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are so grateful we had the opportunity to be part of it. HERE IS A LINK to the article we wrote about the experience.

While in Guam, we were also able to take care of several things we simply can’t do in Palau—like mailing a Christmas package home (neither Mongolia nor Palau will ship packages to the States), picking up antibiotics to help my stubborn sinuses survive flying, and calling the bank about our debit cards that had been mailed a month ago (which, of course, arrived in Palau while we were in Guam—right after we canceled them). J.D. had also been sick for a few weeks and couldn’t quite shake it, so he was able to visit a clinic and get an antibiotic. These are all things we would have figured out eventually, but we love recognizing the tender mercies that seem to come just when we need them on our mission.

Normally, when we travel, we try to eat local food rather than restaurant chains—but after seven months without them, we were more than happy to indulge! Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Auntie Anne’s all made the list. We especially loved sharing an Outback meal with the Greenhalghs, a couple serving in Pohnpei who happened to be on Guam at the same time.

In other news, we received a Christmas card—from our landlord! That’s one more Christmas card than we expected, and it made us smile.

Today was also the Primary program at church. I love that no matter where you are in the world, the sweet spirit of the children is unmistakable.  Pictures and videos can tell the story, but they don't share the love and joy we feel by serving at this Christmas season!