- September 8th, 2011, 1:58 pm
#355257
Hey all--
Have a huge request here. I'm currently a student pastor in WV and had scheduled a mission trip to Cochabamba, Bolivia this past June. Our initial plane leaving from D.C. was delayed three hours and we missed our connecting flight in Miami. There were no openings from Miami to Cochabamba for the next 9 days and we were basically out of luck. Since we had no shot at making the connection, I decided to not take our team on the flight to Miami.
Working through all of this we got both airlines to allow us to use all previously booked tickets and they wouldn't charge us any transfer fees but we would be responsible for any change in fare. We also have to use them within one year of purchase which was May 10th, 2011.
Since we're dealing with High School and College students we really have two choices on when to book another trip. Thanksgiving break and Christmas break. Naturally, both of those timeframes are peak travel and the cost is roughly an extra $9,000 for Thanksgiving (ideal time for all of our team) or $6,000 for Christmas (not ideal; we'd be losing 4 members of our team). Spring break is not an option as we would lose half of our team. The last option is to eat the money we've already spent and do a domestic trip with the $2k we have left.
So, we're praying for either a) a $10k check designated for missions to show-up that can only be explained by God or b) somehow we get an extension to use our tickets in June next year. Neither one is likely but God is in control and has a plan for these kids.
I would appreciate any and all prayers as we try to make the right decisions.
Thanks!
Zach
Have a huge request here. I'm currently a student pastor in WV and had scheduled a mission trip to Cochabamba, Bolivia this past June. Our initial plane leaving from D.C. was delayed three hours and we missed our connecting flight in Miami. There were no openings from Miami to Cochabamba for the next 9 days and we were basically out of luck. Since we had no shot at making the connection, I decided to not take our team on the flight to Miami.
Working through all of this we got both airlines to allow us to use all previously booked tickets and they wouldn't charge us any transfer fees but we would be responsible for any change in fare. We also have to use them within one year of purchase which was May 10th, 2011.
Since we're dealing with High School and College students we really have two choices on when to book another trip. Thanksgiving break and Christmas break. Naturally, both of those timeframes are peak travel and the cost is roughly an extra $9,000 for Thanksgiving (ideal time for all of our team) or $6,000 for Christmas (not ideal; we'd be losing 4 members of our team). Spring break is not an option as we would lose half of our team. The last option is to eat the money we've already spent and do a domestic trip with the $2k we have left.
So, we're praying for either a) a $10k check designated for missions to show-up that can only be explained by God or b) somehow we get an extension to use our tickets in June next year. Neither one is likely but God is in control and has a plan for these kids.
I would appreciate any and all prayers as we try to make the right decisions.
Thanks!
Zach
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