Hey Ray,
I stayed the first night in Amman, Jordan at the Days Inn. If you recall, in November there were three or four attacks on hotels in Amman (one involving a wedding party). The Days Inn was one of the hotels hit. When we left the airport with our Jordanian (company) driver he told us (there were three of us) that the two other guys were staying at the Meridian Hotel and I would be at the Days Inn since I was the only one travelling with a dog. After he dropped the other two off, I asked the driver how many Days Inns were in Amman and he said only one. I was remembering that it was one of the hotels that was hit. I spoke with the desk clerk and he was actually standing in the same location when the blast occurred. Fortunately it only did some cosmetic damage and blew out all of the windows.
The second flight I was able to take Dan (the dog) in coach with me. All were boarded and the Captain announced that he needed to see the owner of the dog. I was advised that the luggage door was too small for the kennel and it had to be disassembled. So I exited to the side of the plane and leashed Danny and went back on board. Almost all of the Iraqi and Jordanian passengers jumped up and moved away from the aisle as we passed by.
After arriving at our destination, we were housed near the airport for two days before being transported to our “permanent” location. The accomodations here are not bad. I stay in a trailer that has two bedrooms at each end and a bath in the middle that I share with the guy at the other end. I know him from the school in Virginia that I attended. There are also three others here that I knew from the same school. That makes the adjustment much easier for me as they have been here three months and have given me alot of tips about what to expect. I have internet access in my room as well as cable T.V.
The food is actually pretty good too. We are still going through orientation and it will be a few more days before I am actually doing what I came to do. That pretty much brings you up to date (in a vague sort of way). Give my love to all at Morning Star and thank them for their prayers (for me). I have sensed great peace from God and am convinced His grace is sufficient for the task ahead.
God bless,
Randy