After leaving from Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday at 1 p.m., we have officially arrived in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. local time.

Both groups’ travels went off without a hitch. We didn’t lose any passports, people or miss any connections and all our flights left right on time. It was picture perfect up until the moment we went to pick up our luggage at baggage claim. One by one everyone’s suitcases came down the line and the door closed leaving Howard Payne and myself without a suitcase.

Thankfully we had already met with Mike and Linda Ray, our local IMB missionaries, and they were able to talk with the airport authorities to locate them. All the paper work was filled out and the search for our luggage has begun. Hopefully they will show up tomorrow.

Mike took some time to give us some pointers for the week and emphasized the importance of not bringing attention to ourselves. Also, tomorrow is a holiday weekend. As we pulled in we watched fireworks over the river and were greeted by masses of young 20 year olds in the downtown area.

After we checked into our hotel, Lawrence Phipps, Lee Franklin and I headed to pack and sack to get toiletries. New deodorant, tooth brush and tooth paste along with a couple snacks. While there I spotted some unique flavors Lays potato chips…which I did not purchase. Also, dried fish in a bag. Passed on it too.

Now for some sleep before we get back up bright and early so we can be on the road to our first clinic at 8 a.m. This is a brand new church plant of Central Baptist Church and the medical clinic is being held there as an attractional event.

Be in prayer for us tomorrow at the clinic and be in prayer for our missing luggage that it shows up soon!