Today I Met An Angel

Today I had to go to the airport to get a package that Daisy, Kez, and Yem had sent me via FedEx (never send via FedEx) and I was in a great mood because 1)I didn't get lost on the bus, 2)the weather was really nice, and 3) I just had a really nice weekend. I got to the airport and headed straight to customs. There they sent me back to the main entrance of the airport for a pass. At the information desk the attendant tells me that I have to go to the cargo terminal because that's where the FedEx office is. When he asked me anda carrito? (are you driving?) I knew that putting on 3" platform shoes this morning was a bad idea (hey sometimes I need to dress it up a little bit). The cargo terminal was really far from where I was and of course me tocó caminar, I had to walk. I arrived at the FedEx office and they asked me for the tracking number. OOOPS! I forgot to get that number from Daisy. So, I texted Daisy and she sends the number. The FedEx guy put the number in and then he started shaking his head. Oh NO! He explains that some information is missing and that the form that is needed to correct the mistake is in San Salvador! What??!! He told me that I would either have to go to San Sal (which is about an hour away on the bus), get the form, and then return to the airport OR I could wait until noon when they receive their deliveries from the San Sal office (it was already 10:30). Have you guys ever heard of a fax machine?! So I waited. And I knew that noon would in fact not be noon. The form arrived at 1 (dont you just love Salvo time?). So what did I do for those 2.5 hours? I sat in a chair pissed off at the world.

So I got the form. I then had to take it over to the customs office and handle all the paper work. Then I had to wait for them to locate the package, while filling out tons of paper work. While they were locating the package I started asking the other people that were waiting how long they'd been there. On average I'd be waiting for three hours. It was already 1:45 and being on the bus to San Sal in the evening is not recommended. I started to panic. Where would I stay if I had to wait for more than three hours? How can I afford a hotel near the airport on a volunteer's stipend (especially since I had spent $$$ in San Sal over the weekend)? As these things were running through my head i got even angrier. This is where the angel comes in. When I first arrived at the customs terminal there was this man (Rafael) that helped me with the paper work. He was also picking up a package . He was there with me throughout the entire process, telling me not to look so mean and that everything would work out in the end. He knew EVERYONE that worked in the administrative offices and in the warehouse where the packages were stored. He talked to the officer there and had him go and get my package right away. The officer moved me up in the line and I didn't wait for more that 20 minutes!! I could NOT believe that things were moving so fast until I remembered the prayer that I had sent up to my Father. I prayed, "Father, please show me favor so that I am not here all day long". Did He deliver or did He deliver? Rafael was the person that turned my day around for the better. He took time out of his schedule to help me and he made everything so much easier. I'm so grateful for the blessings that He throws my way...even when I don't deserve them.

THE PACKAGE
Once I was called into the warehouse to open the package I was so nervous that something bad would happen and they wouldn't allow me to take it home. We did the necessary paperwork and then the official opened the package to review the contents. I burst into tears as he took everything out of the box! I was so touched that my friends sent me a box full of goodies...noodles, mac n cheese, PEANUT BUTTER, shampoo, candy, cheetos and tons of other things. At that point I really began missing my friends and the tears wouldn't stop falling. I kept repeating las extraño tanto, I miss them so much. The official looked at me and in order to make me feel better, he pulled out a tampon from the box and asked me if it was a jumbo size Qtip. From tears to laughter in a matter of seconds! So long story short, after about another hour of paperwork, I left the airport with my 12 lb LOVE PACKAGE in my hand...thinking about what to eat first (I just finished a bag cheetos).

Today, inspite of the blisters that are now forming on my feet, was a really good day. I am truly blessed to have friends that care so much about me and a Father that knows EXACTLY what I need and when I need it. Rafael was a true blessing today.

Love you all,
Mya