Every team member began their journey from anywhere between 6 and 9 am Eastern Time, and we all arrived in Oaxaca around midnight local time. The travel-weary team was picked up by Victor, Lety, and Ale. I had a 7-hour layover in Mexico City and Abigail had some mishaps with her boarding pass, which led to the separation of Brandon and Abigail from Professor Lockwood. Fortunately, the whole team was able to rendezvous in the airport with little panic en route to Oaxaca.
At JFK, I happened upon a quote on a wall by John Steinbeck that said, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” This thought stayed with me throughout the day, and during my long wait at the Mexico City Airport, I had the opportunity to reflect and think. Moving around the airport and observing people – tourists, shopkeepers, airport workers, etc. – I saw how remarkable it is that the people we are close with are people that (1) happen to cross our paths often enough, (2) possess enough interest in building relationships and friendships that is reciprocated, and (3) that God places in our lives for a purpose.
Just sitting in the Mexico City Airport, I was slightly overwhelmed at the number of people that I was merely seeing in passing, but not astonished at the occurrence. Everyone has their own circle of family and friends, work their own jobs, live their own lives, and go to unique destinations; the more I consider this, the more I cannot fathom how blessed I am to be on this trip with Professor Lockwood, Brandon, and Abigail.
I’m hoping to see God work in incredible ways this week. Maybe it’ll take a new way of seeing things.