We've got a Convoy!

We rented a 15 passenger van for the trip. It certainly seemed big enough at the time (for ten people), but when we had to add all our luggage, sleeping bags, some persoanal tools, a few bags of goodies, the van filled up fast!

Before we left Lansing, we decided to pull out the back bench of the van in order to have enough storage space for all our luggage. That left 3 benches and the two seats in front for the 10 of us. It was 'close quaters', but we really travelled well together.

Josh Zylstra filled the van with gas then picked up Marilyn Swets at 8:30 p.m. Friday night. He then swung by the Davis residence to pick up the Davis' (Rev. Davis, Caleb and Joshua) and the Eizengas (Amy, Eric and Rachel).

After that, Josh drove over to the Van der Woerd's house and picked up Tim. We picked up the last passenger when we met the youth group from Redeemer URC inDyer. Tom Kramer was waiting there for us. We showed up just after 9:00 p.m.

The Redeemer Group consisted of 13 people (young people and adults), so we thought it would be great to travel together. They had two vehicles--a large 15 passenger van like ours and a pick-up pulling a work trailer filled with their luggage and tools. After Rev. Davis led in prayer for the whole group, our 3- vehicle-convy left destined for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi which was 'only' 975 away!

While the passengers talked together, slept, listened to their headsets, looked out the window, played cards, played the 'alphabet game' with road signs (and did whatever else they could to pass the time), Josh Zylstra and Rev. Davis safely conducted the group through the many hours of travel.

After a breakfast stop, a lunch stop, and a little 'field trip' to Rickwood Caverns State Park in Alabama (where the two youth groups toured the a cavern).



After the tour, we climed back in the vans and back on the road. After another 5 and a half hours, we finally rolled into Bay St. Louis, at the Lagnniappe Presbyterian church releif headquaters at 5:30 Saturday afternoon.

Yes, that was 21 hours total for those first in the van, but it was a fun filled time! Here's a picture of our convoy parked at the beautiful visiting center at the Mississippi border...

...and here's a photo of our group standing behind the Mississippi welcome center sign: