Dateline: February 27, 2014; Jamaica, New York--On the road again. The last few months have alternated between Good news and Bad news, although bad news is relative. I might say between My plans and God’s plans. My current situation began last August.

Each August I participate in a seminar at Andrews University in Michigan. After speaking there last August, I was invited to participate in a seminar in Sao Paulo, Brazil in the winter (our winter, their summer). That was good news and I readily accepted. From Michigan I went on to Japan for my yearly to months there which I greatly enjoy. As most of you know, I finally climbed Fuji-san just three months after my bike accident in which I received seven broken bones; five ribs, right clavicle and multiple fractures of the pelvis. It was great. But by the rime I left Japan in early October, I still did not have an official invitation to Brazil; no so good news as I like to plan my schedule at least half a year in advance, but I still had time. 

From Japan I flew on to Bucharest, Romania. There is a new school at Podis, near Bacau, where I had been asked to do some lecturing as well as address their patients. I love talking to patients and since I never have the opportunity at Uchee Pines, I jump at the chance in Romania. While there I was invited to speak in Milan, Italy in June; more good news. But now in February the official invite has not arrived; not such good news. Had a great month in Podis and then went to Moldova.

The purpose of Moldova was to encourage two former Uchee Pines students and my former students/co-workers at Sarata Noua in Moldova. It was great news to see Olga and Cristina again. Cristina had had a Vitamix she had worked hard to purchase misappropriated from her (not such good news) but she was in great spirits, which characterized her. I also visited my friend Roman and his wife Olga, former staff at Sarata Noua which was good news although they were in dire straits, not so good news. Things are very hard for some people and it perplexes me to hear people complaining about their poor lot in life when I have seen how some people live in Moldova, Romania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc. But my God grace I was able to be of come encouragement to this family before heading to Bulgaria and then on to Croatia via Serbia. But in all tis time I did not have a firm invitation to Brazil. Good news, it arrived in December.

Knowing the longer you wait the more expensive tickets become, I jumped on the cheapest ticket I could find; just over $1300. Atlanta-New York-Sao Paulo. Now I was ready. Then I received an email from Delta saying, “We see you are going to Brazil; you need a visa.” Bad news, I had no visa and was still in Eastern Europe but good news, I still had nearly two months.

I wrote to my host in Brazil telling them I needed an official letter of invitation stating where I wold be staying and how I would be managed. received an email back that my host was on vacation and could not obtain that information right away. Good news that he was on vacation but bad news that I had to delay my application for the visa past my arrival time back in the USA.

When the invitation arrived I bundled it and all the other requirements (one being a return trip voucher which is sort of a Catch-22; they advise not to buy the ticket until the visa is secured but you can’t apply for the visa without a return voucher. Sure, you can but a refundable ticket but that costs double) and FedEx’ed the package to Travisa in Atlanta. I just didn’t have time to make two or three trips to Atlanta to do it myself. But now the application was in Atlanta about a month early; real good news.

Then the snows came to Atlanta. You have to live in the deep south to appreciate total ineptitude in navigating on slippery surfaces. Although I have lived most of my adult life in the deep south (and somehow managed to still pronounce sky “skī” and not “skah” and pronounced pie as “pī” and not “piah”), I still marvel at the total state of panic and havoc, much less wide-eyed wonder when it snows or ices. The Brazilian Consulate did not come to work for five days, which is real bad news for all of those wanting to escape winter’s assault for summer’s embrace. I waited and waited with no word. Then I began calling Travisa. They were most comforting and understanding (good news) not told me there were some people still waiting days beyond their flight dates (not so good news).

Deciding to go right to the top, I wrote the consulate, apologizing for our unBrazil-like weather, explaining my predicament, and pleading for mercy. I was to fly on February 26 from Atlanta at 2:55 PM.

On the morning of February 26, yesterday, I awoke before 4 AM after going to bed just before 11 PM to finish preparing my home to receive guests for the OCI retreat. Now, I had packed LAST WEEK for this trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Yes, you heard correctly, Don Miller actually packed a week early. Even I can't believe that. That is GREAT news. I was ready for anything, but still did not have a visa or a passport. Not so great news. I called Travisa and they told me they had dispatched a person to the Consulate to try to plead my case, but held out no guarantees that mission would be successful.

I had been pondering how to exercise more faith in this matter. Don't be anxious, don't worry, don't consider canceling the flight will cost $300 to rebook plus a new ticket was nearly $2000 and I would pay the extra $700 over the $1300 I had already paid. Just have faith. But then the thought came to me, If you really want to exercise faith, head for the airport NOW even thought there was no assurance my passport would be released. That is faith with shoes on and suitcases packed.

So I called my dear friend Benny. Brothers and sisters, I am so thankful there are people I can call on at any time with confidence for any matter and receive a positive response. Benny said he would drive me so off we went to the airport at about 11 AM for the 2:55 flight. As I approached the airport I called Travisa; Terrie was at the Consulate and did not have a passport yet. Not such great news so we parked in short term parking and went into the airport and began the indeterminable wait. Hunger gnawed at my bowels having not eaten since breakfast but I had to be ready at all ties to jump and run. As we neared the time for my 2:55 flight, I took my plight to a desk attendant. Carolyn H, may God bless your days for she was good news to me. She said to be a no-show would cost me dearly so she rebooked me on a later flight even without a passport, just to cover me and told me to report back when I had the passport...if I had the passport. There was a flight to JFK leaving at 5:45 but it arrived there at 8 PM; my flight to Sao Paulo was due to depart at 8:02 PM which wold be too late for me to catch. There were two flight to LaGuardia, one leaving at 3:45 and one at 4:45 which would require a taxi ride the 11 miles between LaGuardia and JFK, which is never good news. 

Finally Travisa called me with the good news the Brazilian Consulate had worked hard and my Passport with visa was in Terri’s hands, She would return to Travisa and devise a plan to deliver the necessary documents. When she called back she informed me they would be there by 4 PM; bad news for the, 3:45 flight but there was still the 4:45 flight. True to their word, a car pulled p right at 4PM gave me the Pasport with visa and would not even accept a tip; I had paid for FedEx delivery already. I love honest people. 

Rushing back in to Carolyn, another man arrived just before me with his problems; not good news. When it was my turn, Carolyn took care of me like I was her son. She massaged the keys on her keyboard, wheeling and dealing, seeking an finding. The 4:45 to LaGuardia was all that was available but it cost $250 to change airports… but she wold only charge me $50; good news. She couldn’t check my luggage through to Brazil obviously, but I was TSA pre-checked and she gave me an emergency exit row on this well booked flight; more good news. 

Making it onto the plane in good time, the seat was great as was the flight. It was due to arrive at LaGuardia at 7 PM but made it in a half hour early...good. When I arrived at baggage claim, my bags were the first out...amazingly good. I caught a cab right away but the traffic was horrific...not so good. In spite all of this, I was at JFK at 7:30 PM. Paying the $38 fare (ouch!) I was at the automatic checkin within a minute...good news. Scanning my passport, the message came, “Too late.” Real bad news. I was told the gate was locked one hour before the flight was due to depart. One half hour late after all this.

Heading for rebooking, I could only rebook for the same flight the next night, tonight. Cost to rebook: $250. In past years I would have spent the night in the airport, draped over my luggage and trying to sleep, but at 66 I have decided such adventures are for the chronologically young. So I booked a hotel room ($100), had a great night's rest and will fly tonight from JFK to Sao Paulo. 

More to come on this great adventure. I feel as if I am ending this with a “All is real good.”

Blessings...Don