B: london to moshi

air
British Air
men stuards- with fabulous accents and very attentive behaviors towards me and my every need.
it was odd...
for men to serve me
food
and comforts.
what does that say about me and America?
comfortable flight... comfortable enough
London...
hmmmm
Elizabeth
warm, recognized heart
and hugs
Four Seasons
walking w/
italian dinner
"take away" confusion
underground
sleep
wet goodbye
sleep
wet wakeup
rush
walking
free bird... flying solo
Trafalgar Square lions - photo
Decaf coffee at the gallery
city streets
alleys
shooting
fitzroy st vs. fitzroy sqare... oops and wow
hetty and heichee (sp)
pub
walking

leaving London for Africa, I was as shagala bagala (discheveled) as I was when leaving Boston and walking the streets of London. Where was I going and why was going by myself? Because Jesus said so. That was enough, but still my flesh, weaker than ever, was not quite as cooperative as I would have expected of me and my independence. I spent my morning emailing at a very old, very sweet library down the way and then walking through small London streets accomplishing small tasks, such as mailing letters home- mail from far away places is pretty rad to send and recieve! Shooting photographs all along this mini mission, I met friendly faces- my favorite belonging to a man walking his cat. He walked and the cat followed rubbing himself up against brick walls and gate-posts
mowing...
mooooooooooowwwwwwwing.

I pre-arranged a cab ride to the airport. It was the cheapest and easiest route (taking into consideration my huge (beautiful) suitcase, which was not underground-proof.) My driver, Benjamin arrived to Primrose Hill at exactly the scheduled time (which had I any understanding of the next three months and "Africa time," I would have treasured and tried to photograph.) He helped me with my goods, loaded up his very cool London taxi with all of me that was present, and sped off down London streets- around London corners- past London peoples- towards the London, Heathrow airport.
All along this path, we conversed. My man, Benjamin loves Jesus! making the ride more enjoyable. oh, and by advice I mean life and love advice. Benjamin dug a bit, asking questions about me and mine, and my answers led to more questions and then many suggestions. I smiled and laughed and defended myself, as a girl who thinks like a girl (vs. thinking like a boy) and recieved what wisdom he offered-
all the while shooting his every angle and facial expression.
Truly, "click... click... click.... click click click click click."
nonstop.
He was very accomidating, even turning and smiling or doing "serious face" when I requested it of him.
I was in love with the concept of his eyes in the rear view mirror beside his live profile.
Our conversation was alive and fun and full of "Jesus" and "Jesus" and "Jesus!"
When we arrived at the airport, I was even more filled and encouraged with the reality that Jesus truly had set up divine appointments all along my adventure. As we arrived at our destination, Heathrow Airport, and our "goodbye", I was actually sad to say this "goodbye" to this new friend. I took one last photograph, hugged him, told Him "God Bless you, Benjamin", gathered my goods and wheeled off into the distance
(well, that would be his perspective- me growing more distant- as to me, the newly covered ground would be where I was and therefore not distant from me- yet still distant from where I was when I first began wheeling.
hmmmm.
Selah- pause and think on that.)

The distance led into the airport and, though, at this point in the journey, Im a bit less drama you can just re-read my "My taking flight" and apply it here. (Please do remove some of the drama because at this point, Im shagala bagala inside but more submitted to Jesus' will.)
Fast- forward to the "beep beep" of the security beepers. Of course, I set it off again. Having grown a bit smarter, however, I did wear fewer layers this round. With little effort, I was cleared but my stuff did it's own "beep"ing, requiring a thorough inspection. I awaited my trial- with much patience. I was quite early and had the time.
The woman inspecting the bags of the people representing "possible in-security" was courteous, careful, and beautiful. From my totally untrained, and usually incorrect eye, she was indian. She gently placed my red backpack on her examination table, wiped all edges with her danger- detecting white cloth, and then opened it. It was filled- to- overflowing with me: books, IPOD, photos, food, a sketch book, and markers galour. One book of interest to this Beauty was the big black one, specially wrapped in a rainbow print, elasticized belt with two metal snaps. She eyed it, handled it, eyed it more, and then handed it to me, asking me to unlatch it and... "what is this... a Bible?!" I said "Yes!" (I love talking about Jesus- questions are a total open door! and here was Jesus again, with more of Him through hearts met along the way.) She asked that I flip through it- fan the pages for her so that she could be sure I hadnt hidden blades or bomb ingredients inside (she didnt say all that, but Ive seen the movies- I knew what she was looking for.) I gladly obliged and to both of our delight, nothing challenging security was found. There were, however, many papers stashed in the back. She inquired as to what they were and I said "Oh, those... they're mostly Jesus writing."
She kept moving, as is her practice while at work. To watch her, one observes that she is in constant motion, bag to table, white danger- detecting cloth, open, look, hand to items- out of bag, search, hand to items- into bag, bag to owner, smile, repeat. In this moment, however, she stopped all motion and standing still, looked at me- cheek to cheek smile. Did you say "Jesus writing?!" I laughed at the simplicity of my statement and smiling a similar, yet all my own, cheek to cheek smile, said "Yes!" She said, "Are you studying?" and I said "Im headed to Africa as a missionary... and I love Jesus so He (and His Word- refering to the big black book wrapped in a rainbow print, elasticized belt with two metal snaps, which began this whole heart connect) comes everywhere with me." She smiled at me, one of those Jesus smiles, and said "He is everywhere with you, isn't He!!"
She knows Him!
SHE KNOWS HIM!
My sister in Christ!
I said "Yes, He is!"

I had passed the security test, was marked as "perfectly secure" and needed to move on.
She had work to do and so did I.