Flying "Stand by"

First of all, I have to start y thanking God for all the people he has putt around me to make my trips and ministry possible! Since 2006 I started this adventure in becoming a missionary. Since then my life has not been the same. I never thought flying to different nations was going to be something so “normal”, planes, going through security in different airports is more and more familiar to me. About 3 times a year I get to go back to USA, besides the other outreach locations in South America.

However, this year was an exciting adventure in America! Perhaps you never flew in a stand by pass. Well, let me tell you a little bit about this. So, “stand by” tickets are passes that every employee in an airline company gets, is like when you work for a clothe store, you get discount of free clothes right? In the same way, these employees get certain passes a year to use, to travel around the world. There are 3 categories: D1, D2 and D3. D1 can only be used by the employee, D2 is for direct family and D3 is for friends.

Thanks to my friend “x” in America, I get to travel using her passes, which are huge blessings! With this pass you can pick the date of your departure and arrival in the state you want to visit, in other words you can stay as long as you want, and the prices are nothing compare to the normal airfare. However, there is a little inconvenient. Since you are a “guess” using your friend pass, you will ONLY get on the plane IF there is any open seats, in other words if there is an empty spot, is yours. But you don’t know whether you are flying or not until the very last minute. So, planning is hard!

Like I said, I flew on my friends passes for 5 years now, and I have NEVER stay more than a couple hrs for the next flight. Oh, but this year was different! God had a special plan for me while in Miami.

I left Peru on Feb 4^th, the first night I tried the flight was packed and I had to come back next morning, which I did, and got a nice business class seat. Oh yeah, btw by using this passes you might get first class!! I was so bless that MANY times got first class. Anyway, I made it all the way from Lima – Miami – Baltimore in first class! I was so excited and happy to be able to travel like that. But everything change…

On my way to Lima I went through Las Vegas to Miami and then from Miami to Lima. It wasn’t that easy though.

I was preaching and ministering in a church in Las Vegas until 10 pm, run back to the place where I was staying, packed and sleep for 3 hrs. Because my flight was 4 am next morning to MIA. Thank God I made it OK to MIAMI. I arrived around 1 pm and had to wait for 2 hrs for the next flight to Lima. I was sitting at the gate D24, waiting for my name to be called to get on the plane home. But it didn’t happen. They told me the flight was so full I will need to wait for the next flight. Guess what? I stayed in Miami waiting for the flight for the next 4 DAYS!!!! Can you imagine that! I didn’t have ANY clothes expect for what I was using and a coat, also I had my computer, cell phone and a multimedia. That was it!

But you know, God is so good! I mean, he really is! I had two ways to see this situation: (1) upset because I was stuck and spending money; (2) be thankful and enjoy the spare time. I am not going to lie to you and tell you that I took option number (2). I think it was a mixed of both… but I tell you, I’ve learn to trust God and know that HE is in control.

But, this is not over, like I said God knows what’s going to happened and He already has back up plan. I was bless enough to stay in a very nice hotel while I was waiting. My friend Richard was teaching in an airplane company so they cover for their housing and food. Richard orders a big room with two beds, plus the nice bathroom, nice leaving room and a big sofa. Also I was able to use the swimming pool, the Jacuzzi! So, it was like force little vacations for me. Although I was so frustrated about the flights, especially because I had teams coming to my house and had many more things to do! But it WAS OK. God showed me how “indispensable” I am! Sometimes I still think too much about myself. But the reality is that we are God’s servant, he make things happen whit out our assistance… this was lessons number (1)

The second day I was trying to get on the plane, my friend George came to MIA, and he was in the same situation like me. We both were stuck in MIA. But we both were able to stay with Richard. Now, I want you think for a minute about the hotel. Because, in this hotel I was able to eat free breakfast buffet and supper buffet. These 4 days I only ate breakfast and supper. I and George would eat 2 or 3 plates each!!! Ok, so here is what I want to praise God with me. If Richard wouldn’t be there I was looking at spending about 100 USD per night in the cheapest hotel, and another 20 USD per meals. This comes up to 440 USD plus transportation to the airport. So, God not only allowed me to stay with someone that I knew, respect and look up to, but it was a great time to learn from each other. And of course I save a lot of money. So, the lessons I’ve learned is that we are not to question why are we in those circumstances, we should be learn to praise God in the good circumstances and in “circumstances” that to our eyes are “bad”. The Bible says that everything works for good for those who Love him and are called to his purpous. This was lessons (2) we need to learn to recognize God blessings even in the middle of this odd situation. Don’t look for the “bad” things that happened. See the blessings the goodness and God provisions through these situations. Is only there where we can find the strength to keep on going!

Well, as you could imagine, by the third day I was so anxious and frustrated. I want to go home now! There was so much to do in Peru and I was stuck in MIA. So, as any macho man, I tried to take the situation and find my own solutions. Because I prayed and prayed and nothing, so I thought, ok I am going to buy a ticket to Lima Peru. So I did, it wasn’t too expensive. It departed on Saturday, two days ahead, and I needed to take a 40 USD ride to another airport to catch this new plane. Plus I find out I could only check one bag and it would cost me around 100 USD to take all my suite cases.

About 3 hrs later, I was sitting at the gate D11 waiting with my friend George, thinking I am so lucky I got to buy a ticket now I can relax for a couple days. Well, little I knew, God had different plans. Suddenly I heard the agent calling my name: Mr. Ausejo please comes to the D11 for immediately boarding. I was shocked; I did not expect to be called. I was already purchased another ticket with another airline, now I had spent money for nothing! Once again, I had the opportunity to bless God or to hate myself for making the wrong decision. This time I chose the right one. II thought, money will come and go. Money does not tell us what we are or how do we fill. We are supposed to bless God no matter what. And yeah, we make wrong decisions, but God knows, and he is teaching us through all this. I’ve learn to trust him. Learn to lean on him, not taking the situation on my hands but to let him lead! And praise him wherever he will take me. Knowing that money is not a problem for him! He is the owner of gold and silver. This was lesson number (3)

Well, my friends thank you for reading this long blog, but I felt in my heart I should share this and make it a blessing for you as well!

I apologize for all my closest friend who I called over the weekend, complaining … they know who they are. I also want to thank you for your prayers! Thank you for listening!

Thank you Richard for allowing me to stay with you and drink your diet green tea. Thanks for endure my snoring! God bless you brother!

Thank God, for letting me know you through this experience, for knowing and learning that you have the control@!