Philadelphia Visit... A very full day!

6am:  The Straw family of 5 start rotating through our
ONE bathroom for our allotted shower time slot.

7:20am:  We're on the road, headed East on route 30 then
on to the PA Turnpike.

9:30am:  After a bit over 2 hours on the road, we arrived at Christ Community Church
in Plumsteadville, PA, welcomed by Pastor Tom, his sweet family, and the very friendly
Church family.  Despite some technical difficulties, we had a great worship service. 

Joe and I were rocking the African threads!

NOON:  Did someone say "POTLUCK"?!?

Great decor!  A+ to the planning committee!!!

2pm:  On the road again... South to Philadelphia center city for sightseeing.

3:15pm:  Found parking, loaded up $5 of quarters for 2 hours of parking; and...
We found a friend!!!  Our dear friend, one of our "kids" from the York Alliance
Youth group, Nina!!!  She LOVES Philadelphia!!!

Lots of walking around, sightseeing, and delicious food!

5:15pm:  Near City Hall we bid "a Dieu" to William Penn and Nina and were
on to our next venue...

6:30pm:  PPL Park for the Philadelphia Union versus DC United!

We met up with 6 great friends, all of whom had come to visit or spend
longer stretches of time in Gabon, serving the team and making
friends with our national church friends there.

9pm:  As the game was finishing up, the sun set, but the visiting
and catching up with friends kept on strong!

Just before the ref blew the final whistle, a young player, a Philly
native, Zach Pfeffer, scored the winning goal sending the crowd into
INTENSE CELEBRATION!

After dealing with a little traffic, we were back on route 30 for an hour
and a half, back home and to bed... a long day, but full of great
memories.... 11:40pm.