Before the flight
After 18 hours on a plane, we made it to South Africa this afternoon!!!! This was my first time to be on another continent, so it was quite surreal.
The flight went far better than I could have imagined. The first few hours we chatted, ate the yummy dinner they served on the plane, and I read a short book.
I was starting to feel really tired, so I decided to go ahead and try to sleep. Well, after tossing and turning for awhile and struggling to find a comfortable position, I then started feeling sick to my stomach.
“Oh, great! We’re only a few hours into the flight and I’m already feeling pretty miserable!” I thought.
I decided to ask Lisa-Jo for some Dramamine since she had gone out and bought extra just in case any of us needed some. Let me just say: I’m so, so grateful she did.
I’ve never taken Dramamine before, but within 30 minutes of taking it, I was in love with the stuff! Not only did they end up calming my queasy stomach, but they also put me into a deep sleep. And I slept soundly for 7-8 hours total!!
I woke up feeling refreshed and rested — which was a huge blessing! I spent the rest of the flight watching a movie and getting caught up on my She Reads Truth study of John. Then it was breakfast time on the plane and then we landed!
While I was initially really dreading the 18-hour flight, it turned out going by quite quickly! Thank you so much for your prayers that I could sleep on the flight — God definitely answered them. And I also have become a firm believer in bringing Dramamine on long flights. 🙂
After the flight — with some of Lisa-Jo’s family
We’ve only been here a few hours and I’m already head over heels in love with the people, the climate, the food, and the hospitality! The weather is amazing — it was a little rainy and overcast but just so refreshing.
Lisa-Jo’s family is just so, so dear. They’ve already bent over backwards to host us.
We had dinner with them tonight and then sat around the table and talked for a long time while Lisa-Jo’s dad brought out different kinds of fruits, cut them up, and passed them around for us to eat.
I’ve tried two new-to-me foods so far: Beef Biltong and Lychee. Plus, we had some of the best fresh peaches and mango I’ve ever had!
Tomorrow, we’re headed out to meet a lot of the locals and see some of the different ministries here that Lisa-Jo’s parents are involved in. I feel so grateful to have this opportunity and am excited for what the next few days will hold.
Thank you for praying for us, sending such encouraging notes, emails, texts, and comments, and for being our cheerleaders on this adventure. We appreciate you all so much!
Yolanda says
So thankful you and the team had a wonderful experience flying to South Africa! Continued prayers for the rest of the trip.
Cari says
Yay! Looking forward to the updates and praying for a great trip for everyone!
nicki schroeder says
Yay! I am so glad you got there safely, Crystal. Lychee is AWESOME, isn’t it? Praying that God will use you in more ways than you could ever imagine during your travels. Blessings! xoxo
Linda says
Thank you for the update. Grateful for the wonderful ways God’s answering our prayers for you. May your time there be a blessing to you and to those you encounter. Jesse and kids couldn’t be in a more fun place for this week. We loved the times in DC while Aaron lived there. Do many learning opportunities ahead for all of you.
Cindy says
Crystal, I am so excited about your trip to South Africa, as I am a South African and a daily reader of your blog! (I live in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape). You have been such an inspiration and role model to me in my life. I hope you will have an amazing experience here, it’s a wonderful country.
Uma @ Centsible Indian says
Glad you had a smooth flight. Lychee is a tasty fruit. I think you can find canned lychee in asian store.
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
I’m so excited for you, Crystal! Have a great time and I’ll remember to help pray for you too!
Vanessa says
Praise the Lord! Happy to hear that the flight went well & you arrived safely. Litchi’s are absolutely delicious. Be sure to try guavas too. There’s lots of different tropical fruit you can enjoy in SA. For those who don’t know, biltong is jerky 🙂
Have a wonderful stay in my native country. Looking forward to more updates. God Bless!
Lana says
Good to hear that all is well! Have a great time!
Ai @ Less to More says
Praise the Lord for bringing you there safely! May He use this trip above and beyond what we could ask or think!
Georgia says
Oooh, lychee. We can get that at the Asian market in Atlanta but imported and at a price! Enjoy it there while you can! The canned stuff is still pretty good though.
Susan in St. Louis says
Thanks for the update! SO glad you made it safely, and even got to sleep! 🙂
Karina says
I am so glad you made it there safely. Enjoy your time it will go by quickly. The people there are some of the happiest genuine people I have been around. I can’t wait to hear more.
Karyn says
Welcome to South Africa! So glad the flight went well 🙂 Hope you liked the biltong KUDU is my favourite. There’s nothing like it – we found the jerky rather weird when we spend a year in California 🙂 See if you can try some bovril on toast while you are here – amazing! One of our American friends called it “beef jelly”! have fun – praying for your time here. Karyn
Meegan says
So glad you made it! It amazes me how the Lord prepares our hearts for a mission field before we even get there. I finally got to go to a closed country in SE Asia over Christmas that I had been praying about for 2 years and had the same experience you seem to be having…. I loved everything! I pray that as the week goes on the Lord will continue to imbed the people and the place in your heart and will guide your ministry! I pray too that He will give you the grace needed to leave the place at the appropriate time…. as I found that so much more difficult than going.
Victoria says
So glad you made it safely. Dramamine is a favorite in our household. I carry it in my purse since one child sometimes gets car sick. It makes me sleep too.
Cris says
I actually never tasted lychee but I remember getting it at our work years ago (nobody knew what they were we had to ask) so if you liked it you might be able to find it at a place like central market or whole foods.
Have lots of fun there!
Davonne Parks says
I’m so glad you made it safely and that you can enjoy some warm weather in addition to everything else!
Vickie says
So glad you made it! Can’t wait to hear more.
Courtney says
I’m glad the flight went smoothly for you! Looking forward to your updates.
Trina Lea Grant says
I am familiar with biltong thanks to the Robertson clan of Duck Dynasty. Apparently Willie Robertson loves the stuff. It is so exciting to be able to see the world and have new experiences in exotic cultures. Thank you for sharing with us.
Jessi Fearon (@TheBudgetMama) says
Dramamine is a lifesaver! 🙂 I am terrified of flying (I have no idea why seeing as my mom was a flight attendant…) and I on purpose take it before any flight, even just a two hour long one! I’m so happy that you had some great rest and have already had such a wonderful time. I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip! 🙂
kacy mcmullin says
So glad you arrived rested and safely, looking forward to hearing more about your visit!
denise says
Yay! So glad you arrived safe! I had a v
gabriele says
befor you know it you will be flying back home.your kids are in great hands.enjoy your adventure.you deserve it.
Anon says
Thank you so much for the good news.
Jennifer says
Thanks for keeping us posted! We’ll be praying for your babies too!! They must be missing you something fierce 🙂
Lauren says
Glad you made it safely! I had lychees when I traveled overseas and I LOVE them! yum! Enjoy all the wonderful new experiences!
Lora says
Thank you for the update!