The Awana Grand Prix Track is HERE!!!!
Lori's mom(Annette) arrived August 19th from Charlotte, NC with the track in tow plus all her luggage with extra goodies we asked her to bring. Let me tell you this was not an easy task.
First we ordered the track from the USA and shipped it to Annette to bring on the plane with her in order to save $1,000 to ship direct to AU.
Well, it arrived safely to her home but found out her domestic flight to LA. wouldn't allow it on the plane! So, she quickly sent it to LA to Matthew's cousin's house. His cousin was to take it to the LA airport in 4 days and meet Annette there to check it onto Quantas Airlines. Quantas Airlines checked it as oversized, extra luggage and we only had to pay an extra $50!
Eventually, Annette arrived in Sydney. She still needed to get onto another plane to go to Perth. In Sydney, she needed to get off the plane, get all her luggage and go through customs. Not a major deal...she just got a trolley for all her lugguage and this oversized box and made it through customs...now the tricky part...She needed to take all of her luggage upstairs to take a train to the domestic side of the airport for her last flight.
Well, this oversized box wasn't easy to get into the elevator! Stuggling to get this all into the elevator, GOD sent her an angel. A woman saw Annette's plight and urged her husband to "help the lady"! He did. Not only did he help her get onto the elevator, he carried this box to the train and he and his wife got on the train with Annette and took the box all the way to where it needed to be checked onto the flight. This couple had a several hour wait for their next flight. Annette was so thankful and told them they were angels sent from God. The couple didn't know how to respond to that comment and smiled and went on their way.
Annette arrived in Perth 4 + hours later and the track arrived in one piece!
Below is a photo of Matthew carrying the box for Annette out of the airport.
Why go through all this trouble just for a track you ask? Well, our Awana Grand Prix track was an old wooden track in need of repairs. The Grand Prix Races is one of our biggest outreaches and more than half of those that go to Awana do not attend our church or are unchurched. These new tracks were not available in Australia so we had to order from the USA. There was much anticipation and excitement from our Awana kids & leaders knowing a fast,cool, new track was on it's way. We were also humbled and thankful to have a church in the USA love us enough to raise funds during their VBS program in the summer to help us purchase this track. SO, THANK YOU Grace Church of Normal, Illinois. We love you and miss you!
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