2023 Team

2023 Team
The 2023 Team

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Departure Day 2024

 Good morning, I'm Matt Schilling, Tech Director at Gehlen and I've been asked yet again this year to keep you up to date on departure day for our team(s). It was an early morning for our four adult team members who left out of Sioux Falls on a super early flight this morning. As this blog goes live, the team will be landing in Atlanta, almost 20 minutes early, so they must have had a strong tail wind. And as I typed that, I got notification that the team landed. What amazing timing.

The rest of our team departed a little before 7:00 am central this morning in route to Miami and then later to San Pedro Sula. Carolyn Bickford did text to say everyone was onboard and was in good spirits as the flight was getting ready to depart. As of time of typing this blog, Their flight is still climbing to their cruising altitude with an estimated arrival time of 10:19 am central. 

If you did have not looked at the pictures from the send off on Gehlen Catholic's Facebook page, check them out at facebook.com/gehlencatholicschool

The sendoff was also live streamed as it was inside of St. Joseph Church this year because of War Eagle Honor Band taking place in the gym. Link for the sendoff can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUcxt018LPA&ab_channel=AllSaintsLeMars



Update from the original post: I got the two groups mixed up. The group that flew down to Miami just landed. Our large group that flew into Atlanta, is currently over the Gulf of Mexico and has an ETA of 11:24am.


Update #2: I've just heard from Anne Oloff and she says "the team is on the ground in San Pedro Sula. We have picked up all our bags and are waiting for our couple coming from Omaha. All is well." The group from Omaha has landed according to the flight tracking software. I will say that I am as excited as many of you are to read about our groups adventure and mission trip. I'm now signing off for blogging for our team stateside and turn it over to our team on the ground. I expect that we should have a blog from them here tonight. Thank you for following to this point.

3 comments:

  1. Good luck everyone! We are praying for each and every one of you. My Gehlen Kindergarten class will be following along (Checking out pictures) as you are on your journey. Praying for safe travels as you continue your way there.
    Blessings,
    Isabelle Schmit and Mrs. Schmit's Kindergarten Class

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the update! I love it that my niece Kylie Harpenau got to go and experience a service trip like this. Lord, bless the works of their hands on this trip. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope everyone slept well last night after your long day of travel. I am anxious to hear later tonight how your first full day of work in Honduras went. We are praying that all of you have a great experience while fulfilling your mission.

    Cole, Owen and the twins were over last night. Owen wanted to make sure I told you "hi" for him. We had supper with Mariah and Madi on Tuesday night. Madi found a bag of starbursts and she is saving all the pink ones for you! Love you!

    Can't wait to read all the blog posts and see the pictures of everyone.

    ReplyDelete