My First Flying Experience!

Tuesday I left the hospital where I have worked for over 37 years to return to Omaha, Nebraska for eventual retirement. Friends came to the plane to see me off.



Here is a selfie of me sitting in the Co-Pilot's seat.



So why is this my "first flying experience"? We have had a Mission plane for a number of years but I have never flown it either to nor from the capital city. It is a 1 hour 45 minute flight. It was also my "first flying experience" because I got to actually FLY the plane (while the pilot took several photos of me).



Our flight was cloudy but smooth. I was able to see some of the terrain below.



Here is us coming into the city.



Oh, I was the only passenger. Here is the back of the plane.



When I got to the capital city, I was picked up by long time friends so we could go out for lunch. I had my last Vogene pizza! I don't think that Omaha sells them which is probably a good thing!! They are made of white sauce with cream, ham, bacon and an egg on top.



Tomorrow I will fly to Paris, then Atlanta then Omaha.

Today's Positives:
1. I had a great flight to the Libreville.
2. The Guest house where I am staying for a few days is having a Thanksgiving meal this evening... because there are three of us who are American and a forth who did College in America.
3. My flights to the States are tomorrow night!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all who celebrate it!!

Retirement Ceremony and Service Award!

Sunday afternoon November 9th, at 2pm, the Bongolo Hospital held a retirement celebration in my honor. It was held in the Bongolo Church. At the same time there was an official government service medal ceremony where about 30 of us were honored for 10, 20 or 30 years of service.

Here was the program (in French of course).



The Hospital staff and students sang a special song.



Almost all the Hospital staff were there, plus some people from the church.




The Administrator of the hospital then the Medical Director both gave speeches then I did too. I shared Psalms 71:17-18.



I was give a beautiful Mbigou stone placed on glass wall hanging. It will be a challenge to pack it in a suitcase as it is so wide and fragile!



I received a gold medal from the Government for having served at the Hospital for 30 years (actually 37 years).



A dinner was held in my honor, and to honor all those employees who received medals from the Government.



The cake says "Merci" or "Thank you". The outfit I am wearing was a skirt and top sewed by a local tailor, with material that had been given to me as a farewell gift.