We’re in London! We were hoping to be able to get out of the airport and into downtown London – maybe catch a glimpse of Big Ben – but we don’t have enough time before our next flight. So we are in Heathrow for another 5-ish hours before we fly out to Frankfurt. Then to Budapest. I think showers and sleep are about the only thing anyone can think about right now, but food is also a priority. So we’re taking care of that right now. Thanks for your continued prayers!
We are re-booked! And it is all thanks to this phenomenal person: Kelly! She was the one who helped us get through security last night so we could get some sleep in the terminal. Working on 3 different computers at a time, she has worked her magic and rerouted us through to Budapest. (Flight itinerary below.) And given us plenty of food vouchers for meals and snacks to keep our bellies full. We are praising the Lord for Kelly! (And, get this: she attended Hempfield high school!!)
Thank you, Kelly!
Our new flight IT is as follows:
• Depart tonight for London @ 8 PM – arrive in London at approx. 7 AM on Sunday, 3/4
• Depart London for Frankfurt @ 5:30 PM*
• Depart Frankfurt for Budapest @ 9:40 PM
• Arrive in Budapest (FINALLY!) at 11:40 PM on Sunday 3/4
*because we have such a long layover in London, we will go into London and take in a few of the sights of the city!
Just a few pictures of our day hanging in Philly. We are all a bit tired, but have found creative ways to keep ourselves entertained. We’ll be flying out tonight at 7 PM to London. They are possibly re-routing us so there could be yet another delay in arriving in Budapest, but we will send out a Parent Alert text when we’re know for sure what the plan is.
Thanks for your continued prayers!
To say that things have not gone as planned today would be a massive understatement. As we jaunted off to Philadelphia, what was supposed to take 90 minutes took over 4 hours. It was bumper to bumper traffic amidst 60 MPH winds and a nor’easter pounding away at us.
Once we arrived at the airport we were thrilled that, despite so many cancellations, our flight was only delayed. After standing in line another 2 hours, we were then informed that our flight was SUPER delayed – as in, delayed for 24 hours.
All the local hotels were full. Our ride had left to return to Lititz, and it would be a precarious journey of several more hours to go home. We even reached out to a local church (where Mrs. Urquhart’s brother-in-law pastors) to see if the group could crash there for the night, but their power was out from the crazy high winds. As the leaders were weighing up the options (few as they were), an airline employee approached and offered to give the group their tickets. That way we could get through security and spend the night in the airport. She provided vouchers for the group to be able to buy dinner free of charge. She was an absolute gem and truly a God-send.
Once we got through security and had a hot meal, we discovered that cots were being set up for those of us spending the night. We were given toiletries, blankets, bottled water and snacks. So now we are settled on our cozy cots (along with about 100 other stranded passengers), some playing card games, some reading, some dozing.
Our current “stranded” situation is no surprise to the Lord. We are so thankful for the safety and provision we’ve been given throughout today, and are eager to see what tomorrow brings.
We will be flying out tomorrow at 6:30 PM, so we will be well-acquainted with the Philly airport – and each other – by the time we depart.
Thanks for praying everyone! Good night!
LC Senior Go! 