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Unexpected Disappointment -
Returning to the U.S.
A week goes by. Daniel feels perplexed.
He considers his options: 1. Find another place to fly - none available at the moment. 2. Work around the mission compound doing odd jobs until the plane is flying again - that may be many months away. 3. Return to the U.S. and continue his flight training - the most logical choice in his mind.
After much thought, counsel with others and prayer, Daniel decides to go where he can continue his flight training. After all, becoming a mission pilot is his life goal!
Daniel feels pleased about his decision, and immediately begins making arrangements to travel.
Bob and Neiba Norton also decide to return to the United States.
Remaining at the mission plane base will only result in receiving heartbreaking calls for medical evacuations, for which he cannot provide assistance until the plane is able to fly again. He feels so helpless, knowing people are dying out there in the jungles.
On Monday, April 3, Daniel gets a ride to Santa
Elena, the nearest city,
He takes one last look at Iruk Internet Café, from where he sent many e-mails and pictures to family & friends, including most of the materials used on these web pages.
Boarding the bus, he travels 12 hours north across eastern Venezuela to Puerto Ordaz. Reaching his destination that evening, he forgets his lunch bag on the bus seat, including his precious heavy duty spoon, a graduation gift from the Boys' Dean at DayStar Academy. He's taken it with him everywhere, and feels devastated that he'll never see it again.
Daniel's friend and taxi driver "Caminito" (Little Road) takes him to an inexpensive motel in the suburbs of Puerto Ordaz.
Motel owner Danlivia is an active Seventh-day Adventist leader in her community. Daniel feels exhausted after being up most of the night before, as well as being on a long bus ride. He's ready to get right to bed, as he needs to be at the airport early the next morning.
But Danlivia has other ideas. She insists he accompany her as she drives wildly through busy city streets to a home Bible study group, where new interests are eager to learn. Daniel feels revitalized as he interacts with these folks, sharing what God has been doing in southeastern Venezuela through the mission aviation program.
Taxi driver "Caminito" gets Daniel to the Puerto Ordaz airport early Tuesday morning. An hour later the plane lands at Caracas, capital of Venezuela. Then he has to wait all day for the evening flight to Miami. He barely has enough local currency to pay the motel, taxi and airport fees. He has no extra to buy food, and he feels HUNGRY!
Arriving in Miami after dark, Don Douglas of the Fort Lauderdale Adventist church picks him up to take him to the home of the church secretary for the night. But the radiator runs dry, the engine overheats, and finally it quits at a toll booth. The motor is ruined. Several hours later, a friend of Don's takes Daniel to his destination.
He arrives at the home of Lorna Whittier at 1:00 a.m. She and a friend have waited up for him, and feed Daniel a gourmet meal before he drops exhausted onto her guest bed. He really appreciates the hospitality of these total strangers, yet in reality, they are family in the Adventist faith.
On Wednesday he flies on home to California, enjoying
the view of Lake Tahoe
It's good to be home again in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Placerville, and Daniel goes along with his mom Diana on her daily walk. They check out the White Owl gold mine, which caved in at the entrance after heavy winter rains.
Daniel sets up his hammock in the front yard - his gift for Mom from South America
Daniel enjoys a yummy Mother's Day breakfast in Sage
Hall at the Camino Seventh-day Adventist church with his parents and
grandparents. His South American adventures
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