I've started on what will be a very long trip, and which will take me all the way around the world. I left Saint Louis yesterday afternoon, and was able to get a free upgrade for the flight which was pleasant. I changed planes in Dallas for the trip to Gatwick. By chance, I was seated next to a French woman who had just visited family in San Antonio for a month. She was very happy and intrigued to find an American (she wasn't sure at first, and ask if I was French) who spoke French "très correctement." I was having a good day - my accent isn't always like that. We chatted off and on through the flight. The plane arrived late, but formalities went quickly, and I took the transfer coach here to Heathrow arriving about 10:00.

On arrival at Heathrow I checked in and came to the BA business lounge across from gate 10 for a coffee (A Platinum AAdvantage card give access). I read a while, then went and had lunch at Garfunkles. Following that I came to this business class lounge near gate two. I think I prefer this lounge. I had a wonderful shower and change of clothes, and have just spent two hours trying to get to know my new laptop. The screen died on my old one, in the middle of our stay in Martinique. I didn't get this one until the day before I left, so I've been scrambling to get programs and files transferred. It seems I got all the most important programs and dossiers.

In a few hours I'll take the plane to Mauritius, about a 13 hours flight as I recall. Hopefully, I'll be in shape to work when I get there! From Mauritius I will fly to Mumbai to meet Dave Baker. We will fly on to Calcutta, then Aizawl to visit a group that has expressed an interest in moving closer to UCG. From there, we'll fly to Bangkok then Chiang Mai to visit the Youth Corps kids and discuss the situation with Leon Sexton. Then we go to the Philippines for a week to visit members and shoot some video for use in the festival video for this autumn. One place we're to visit is Leyte, in particular the beach where MacArthur came ashore and said "I have returned." We'll also try to go out to Corregidor.

The final stop will be in Hong Kong where we'll visit the few church members there, over a long weekend before finally heading home. Time away: 3 ½ weeks.

I only slept about 3 hours last night, so I'm really feeling the fatigue. Hopefully I can catch up more on this flight.