a firm grip on the handle. “We’re running late, Miss Jacobs, you can wait till we board the plane.”
“It’ll just take a minute.”
“All right, but we’re on a tight schedule. I don’t...”
Gwen grabbed the bag from his hand and knelt, dumping the bag's contents onto the floor. Gwen removed the small black bag containing her 35mm camera, unzipped it, and checked the assorted lenses for any sign of damage. Thankfully, they all appeared fine. She then took out her digital camcorder and looked it over.
“ Would you please hurry?”
“Relax. I’m sure the plane won’t leave without you.” She shoved everything back into her carry-on bag and stood. “See that didn’t take long.”
“I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting two weeks,” he commented before slipping her bag back over his shoulder.
“This your first trip to Dewana?”
“No. You?”
She nodded. “I’ve been to other parts of Africa, but never Dewana.” Then figuring now might be a good time to work in her interview with General Kabassa, she said, “If you wouldn’t mind, maybe I can do a couple of interviews with those directly involved in the conflict as a background to the humanitarian needs.”
“That’s a good idea. I know a couple of people at the embassy. Maybe they can help.”
“Sure, and hopefully some of the locals will be able to put me in contact with some of the rebels.”
Glancing sideways, his expression darkened. “You want to interview the enemy?”
“It’s a civil war, Jack, who’s to know who the real enemies are?”
* * * * *
As they approached the Gulfstream V Lear jet they were met by a man of Italian descent, quickly introduced as, ‘Marco’, the pilot, and informed the others had arrived and were ready for take off.
On board Gwen was introduced to everyone . Tom and Evelyn, a couple in their late sixties were the founders of World Friendship Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Chicago; and Celeste, a friend of theirs whose sister lived in Dewana.
Tom greeted her with a warm handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, Gwen.”
Evelyn welcomed her with a hug, and Celeste merely nodded before returning her attention to the paperback book she was reading.
“Take a seat anywhere,” Jack said before disappearing into the cockpit.
Gwen chose the seat closest to Evelyn. After a quick glance at the luxurious surroundings, she turned to the silver haired woman. “I’ve never flown on anything as nice as this,” she admitted nervously. She had never liked flying. “Most of the planes I’ve been on, aside from airliners, were rickety prop jobs. The kind where you never know if the landing gear is going to hold or not.”
T he woman reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Marco is an excellent pilot. You’ve nothing to worry about, the good Lord is watching over us.”
A tinge of guilt hit her and she suddenly wished she had been more honest with her host.
“Has Jack told you anything about the purpose of our trip?” Tom asked.
“No. We didn’t really have a chance to talk.”
“We’re delivering Christmas gifts to the children in Lerato. Our organization has a small orphanage there, and for the past six months partnership churches from across the U.S. have collected clothing and toys for us to distribute.”
“We’re also going to look at some property to be purchased for a bigger orphanage and vocational school that Jack is financing,” Evelyn added.
“I can’t think of a more wonderful way of celebrating the birth of our Savior.”
Gwen merely smiled.
“Your family must be awfully disappointed you won’t be with them for the holidays?”
“I’m afraid they’re use to it , sir.” Gwen hadn’t seen her family since she moved to London. If it weren’t for the weekly telephone calls they’d probably think she was dead.
“Please, call me, Tom. I know it won’t be the same, but you’re welcome to join us in all the festivities
“It’ll just take a minute.”
“All right, but we’re on a tight schedule. I don’t...”
Gwen grabbed the bag from his hand and knelt, dumping the bag's contents onto the floor. Gwen removed the small black bag containing her 35mm camera, unzipped it, and checked the assorted lenses for any sign of damage. Thankfully, they all appeared fine. She then took out her digital camcorder and looked it over.
“ Would you please hurry?”
“Relax. I’m sure the plane won’t leave without you.” She shoved everything back into her carry-on bag and stood. “See that didn’t take long.”
“I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting two weeks,” he commented before slipping her bag back over his shoulder.
“This your first trip to Dewana?”
“No. You?”
She nodded. “I’ve been to other parts of Africa, but never Dewana.” Then figuring now might be a good time to work in her interview with General Kabassa, she said, “If you wouldn’t mind, maybe I can do a couple of interviews with those directly involved in the conflict as a background to the humanitarian needs.”
“That’s a good idea. I know a couple of people at the embassy. Maybe they can help.”
“Sure, and hopefully some of the locals will be able to put me in contact with some of the rebels.”
Glancing sideways, his expression darkened. “You want to interview the enemy?”
“It’s a civil war, Jack, who’s to know who the real enemies are?”
* * * * *
As they approached the Gulfstream V Lear jet they were met by a man of Italian descent, quickly introduced as, ‘Marco’, the pilot, and informed the others had arrived and were ready for take off.
On board Gwen was introduced to everyone . Tom and Evelyn, a couple in their late sixties were the founders of World Friendship Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Chicago; and Celeste, a friend of theirs whose sister lived in Dewana.
Tom greeted her with a warm handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, Gwen.”
Evelyn welcomed her with a hug, and Celeste merely nodded before returning her attention to the paperback book she was reading.
“Take a seat anywhere,” Jack said before disappearing into the cockpit.
Gwen chose the seat closest to Evelyn. After a quick glance at the luxurious surroundings, she turned to the silver haired woman. “I’ve never flown on anything as nice as this,” she admitted nervously. She had never liked flying. “Most of the planes I’ve been on, aside from airliners, were rickety prop jobs. The kind where you never know if the landing gear is going to hold or not.”
T he woman reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Marco is an excellent pilot. You’ve nothing to worry about, the good Lord is watching over us.”
A tinge of guilt hit her and she suddenly wished she had been more honest with her host.
“Has Jack told you anything about the purpose of our trip?” Tom asked.
“No. We didn’t really have a chance to talk.”
“We’re delivering Christmas gifts to the children in Lerato. Our organization has a small orphanage there, and for the past six months partnership churches from across the U.S. have collected clothing and toys for us to distribute.”
“We’re also going to look at some property to be purchased for a bigger orphanage and vocational school that Jack is financing,” Evelyn added.
“I can’t think of a more wonderful way of celebrating the birth of our Savior.”
Gwen merely smiled.
“Your family must be awfully disappointed you won’t be with them for the holidays?”
“I’m afraid they’re use to it , sir.” Gwen hadn’t seen her family since she moved to London. If it weren’t for the weekly telephone calls they’d probably think she was dead.
“Please, call me, Tom. I know it won’t be the same, but you’re welcome to join us in all the festivities
Similar Books
