I stepped onto the moving sidewalk, only to discover that my gate was right near the beginning of it. I had no choice but to walk to the end and return. I hoped no one watched as I stepped off the moving sidewalk and stepped onto the one next to it, going in the opposite direction. At every stage of the trip back home, I couldn't help but remember tidbits from comedian Brian Regan when he talks about flying. Particularly, I noticed the curtain dividing the first class people from all of us second rate citizens. I began to wonder what purpose it served. It's not like the curtain keeping the people out of the Holy of Holies. In fact, I could see through it. If they were trying not to make us jealous of the superior treatment of their more wealthy patrons, they should at least make it obscure our vision of each other.
As I made my way back to my assigned seat, I discovered that someone was sitting in my window seat. The boy and his mother were headed to Arizona to spend time with family and neither of them had flown in a long time, so I was ok with letting him keep the seat. I asked them questions about themselves and discovered they were both studying science at a college. I told them about my schooling to become a missionary and the response was, "Good for you." As I asked more questions about science, the lady probably realized that someone studying to be a missionary may try to convert her, so she said, "Don't worry, I believe in God." But as I suspected, the description sounded little like the God of the Bible. She said she didn't talk to many people about her beliefs, but proceeded to give some of her viewpoints, all the while saying it would take too long to explain. Most of the beliefs were an obvious product of the culture, as much as she thought she was being so free thinking.
It is hard to know exactly what is accomplished through such interactions, but my prayer is that this lady and her boy will question their assumptions about life and God and origins, that they will think about it just long enough to doubt their worldview. And I hope they run into another believer sometime who can challenge them more as they are ready.
I made it home safely without any problems and have been here in Idaho spending the break with my family and friends. That's all for now. Enjoy the break!