The Landing

Welcome to the island

The Landing: a Small Miracle

Arriving at the Roatan Airport on Dec. 7th 2024 I was thanking God that the airplane pilot made that landing on such a short runway which quickly turned from a straight cement pathway to the emerald green waves, and jagged mounds of

coral reef in the middle of the Caribbean Sea.

I was here!

But what was I thinking! As I approached the immigration counter, I was overwhelmed; by what, I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to run back to the plane, take off on that narrow short runway and fly back to Iowa; my home, my familiar, my place.

“Buenos Dias”

“Buenos Dias.” I copied the officer as I handed him my passport.

Silence! No chit chat here! All business!

“Cuatros dais te quedaras?” he asked not looking up at me.

What? Wait. I have an answer. I practiced this. What was the Spanish word for 90. Dias means days what is the word for ninety…my mind searched frantically as I stood there dumbfounded.

I had landed at the place where God had intended me to be. This was God’s plan. I knew! This was where he was sending me and this decision was confirmed by my special prayer warriors; my groupies (You know who you are). I had been prayed over and been affirmed. I was ready.

Ok maybe not. My Spanish was…well shall we say, except for asking the location of the bathroom, was…spent.

“How many days are you staying?” he said not looking up.

“90” I squeaked out.

“We don’t give out 90 day visas”

“My son and his wife have a baby and I’m here to help with the baby.”

Silence, but his typing resumed. “Follow me” He said at last. With my passport in his hand he opened his narrow door and proceeded to walk away from the booths, lined with tourists and weary travelers. I followed, my heart sinking with every step as the line of tourists and weary travelers eyed me suspiciously. After a rapid but brief conversation with another immigration officer, she stamped my passport, drew a line through it, initialed the stamp and then handed it to Mister Immigration Officer for him to do the same.

“Your passport.” he said. “We do not normally give out 90 day visas. Watch the date and file an extension before this date passes”

“Do not let the visa expire.” he warned “When is your date?”

“March 7, 2025” I said not so bravely.

He nodded and with a simple eye motion, directed me to the exit door and entry into the country of Honduras.

I was pleasantly stunned. Thanks to God for this small miracle and although traveling through the immigration process felt like an eternity; from the stepping off the plane until I entered the doors in the airport lobby it was a total of 12 minutes. Praise God for His mercies and strength.