Money is in the Bank!

As a follow up to the American Airlines fiasco: the money is in the bank. It took a while but they finally gave us our money back. A BIG thank you to our friends at Springfield Travel Agency who helped broker this refund. They were most patient and persistent.

Wonder who will use to fly us to Jamaica and Barbados next year? Things that make you go hmmm.

Now, on to other adventures!

Fight or Flight

Many of you have asked me if what happened that caused us to spend 22 hours in a plane and/or airport trying to get home from Barbados after paying over $4,500 for tickets.  Well...it was a mistake by American Airlines.  The travel agency, Springfield Travel out of Springfield, MO, has shown that American Airlines wrongly booked our tickets for the 9th instead of the 16th.  They have the proof.  To Springfield's credit they admit that they did not catch the mistake.  They were apologetic and immediately sent us $1,650 to cover part of the payment I had to make. 

Springfield Travel Agent, Malinda Ford, has taken several conversations with over five (5) different people to investigate to see what happened.  Bottom line:  it was booked wrong by American Airlines. At one point, Malinda and I were on the phone with an American Airlines supervisor after we learned that the only recompense was going to be in the form of vouchers to the individuals.  I explained who and what we were and said this was unacceptable as I didn't know if they would return and it was a year away, plus I couldn't float that amount of money for that long.  I am VERY disappointed at American Airlines as 1) they never even apologized.  Now I understand they don't want to admit to fault, then they are liable BUT at least they could say they were sorry we had to spend 22 hours getting home and that a couple of people missed a day of work.  NOT even one ounce of empathy.  I am not getting the warm fuzzies about the claim on their website which states, "We have a responsibility to drive the best possible outcomes for all our stakeholders." and that "Treat me well" is their #2 Top Customer Concern as stated on their Engaging Our Customers website section.

Thanks for letting vent a little.  Where was I…oh yeah...I stated that the vouchers would not do and that the expectation was a credit card reversal or a check.  The supervisor simply said, "I will see if it can be done."  That was six weeks ago.  Malinda at Springfield has really gone to bat for us.  She even came up with a plan to get us our money back:  after American Airlines finally agreed to giving Springfield open vouchers, they were going to use them for a paying group and then reimburse us once the group paid them.  What amazes me is that the travel agency has to come up with American Airlines solution.  Talk about customer NO service!!!!  Clark Howard would have a cow!  Anyway, that was three weeks ago and still no vouchers.  Finally, Malinda called and got yet another level of management who said that he would have a check mailed.  That was 9 days ago.  Wonder who we will have to call now…the CEO?   or better yet I wonder what Clark would have to say about this.  I am being very patient at Malinda's request because we are concerned that we will not get anything back; however, my patience is running thin besides I have to pay the credit card.

I am appalled that a multimillion dollar company who boasts that customer satisfaction is a top priority is treating a non-profit humanitarian group in such a way. I am mostly disgusted at their lack of even a hint of concern for our treatment and experience that day.  American Airlines if you are reading this (I typed your name a bunch of times in hopes a search would draw your attention.) I hope that you are ashamed of yourself.  Your inattention, your lack of empathy, your unwillingness to take responsibility for a mistake and your inability to act and let a small travel agency provide and execute a solution is inexcusable!  You are a big company.  It is time to put this to rest.  SHOW ME THE MONEY!  Swamp Corps has brought over $50,000 of business to you and you won't even refund $2,928.50.

It is time to make this right.

Thanks for listening.  If you know anyone at American Airlines, pass this along.

Jeff

More Invitations from Around the World!

It is amazing to see how fast word spreads. Two weeks ago, a retreat was held at our home camp in Georgia, USA for a group of dads and their daughters. During this retreat a gentleman approached me asking about Swamp Corps. We proceeded to go to our Swamp Corps map showing the places of the world Swamp Corps has been and plans to be where pointing at the map he described the opportunities in and around Sao Paulo, Brazil. Turns out he is the president of the Florida/Louisiana Missions Council and his daughter has had several enjoyable experiences at the camp for some years and he wants to share this experience with kids in that country. He asked me if we could go next February. Wow! I explained to him that all our slots were currently filled and that he would have to get one of the next available slots. He told me to "get us in the queue" and then two days later introduced me via email to people in Brazil. We are working on getting a time to video conference and begin our initial talks.

This past summer, a couple who has many ties to India (their two children are adopted from there) sent their oldest on the trip to Barbados. He had such a great time that his mom started spreading the word to her friends in India and just believed that Swamp Corps could make an incredible impact on the children there. In a matter of a week we were introduced by email, then talking via Skype as to the possibility of getting a camp in Chennai on the northern coast of India. Again, we talked about availability; however, our discussion was deeper and richer lasting near an hour. There was much excitement at the end of the conversation and it was left that we would stay in communication and see what develops.

What an amazing week for Swamp Corps! We are praying that our foundation and corporations will come through with funding so we can respond to the invitations in a timely manner. In fact, two such organizations are meeting this week which could have an impact this. More to come on this.

Be encouraged all you Swamp Dreamers and Followers. The message is being delivered; the invitations are coming. It seems Swamp Corps has a great future.

For the children,
Jeff

God Provides

Last night I was praying for God to provide money for my South Africa trip. I have been having trouble getting people to donate money this month and I was $500 short of my payment. I prayed that God would provide because I was worried I wouldn't be able to go. I get home from work today and find an envelope in my mailbox with my name typed on it. Inside I find $500 cash waiting for me with a letter from an unknown donor. God is good and is proving that he will provide. Hope this encourages all who have given/are thinking about giving/will give to continue God's work by providing money. Hope this also encourages anyone raising money, God will provide!!! Please keep us in your prayers, we all need them.

Stephen

The Eagle Has Landed

After hours in the Barbados airport, we just landed in Miami. While it feels good to be making progress, we find ourselves among, oh, maybe, a thousand of our closest friends from all over the world in the customs line. We have moved 10 feet in 20 minutes. Lord, give me patience...now! We have tried to think of clever ways of clearing the room however all of them would most likely extend our stay longer than we would like. Ha ha. We briefly saw a Pizza Hut being tested by its allure, but alas we had to move on. So the eagle may have landed but he is moving slow.  Pray for our patience and speedy course to nearest restaurant. Ha ha.  Still after these two weeks it is a small price for what transpired.  All great things come at a great cost.  It was true for David and the field he bought, true for us. Thanks for the prayers. Jeff
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A Quick Hello

Hey Jeff

How did you guys get through this morning? I hope that all was well and you are well on your way home. The kids are still sleeping and Shawn has gone off to work. Let us know when you get settled and say hey to everyone for us.

Bye
Have a good one :)

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Terminal Rummikub

Wade, Jennifer and me are engaged in a riveting game of Rummikub waiting for the check in counter to open. We got seats on the 3pm flight to Miami which cost us $5000 . Good thing I have a swamp corps credit card with some room on it! Some folks from the Barbados church were here and so the other 8 in our group went back to the hotel to sleep. We will check in the bags then go to the gate and meet them later.  We have another long layover in Miami as our flight  to Atlanta is at 10:45 tonight. Ouch! Well at least I have won two games in a row. More updates later.  Did I tell you Kim Williams has taken just under 6,000 pictures over the last two weeks and Matt our videographer got some really cool video and interviews. On to game three.  J

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No Camels Available!

So we rush to the airport and when we get here half of us don't have tickets: Rorabaughs, Williams, Cameron, Adam, and Barbara are stuck. Our tickets were dated July 16th on an email receipt dated may 11th but the agent today says our tickets were for last Saturday, not sure what happened.  Aaarg!  So here we sit trying to get on the only other flight later today. Right now there are only 8 seats on that flight. We may have to pay more (well someone will.). Anyway here we sit. I have been frustrated, angry (very), and despondent. Then I said to Wade we should pray and asked the ticket agent lady if she prayed and would she like to join Wade and me in prayer. She did and it helped. Not sure why this is happening. I wonder if Paul ever had issues like this: "I specifically asked for a two hump camel." "I am sorry sir. We have no reservation for you under your name. Would be you interested in this small donkey? Otherwise you will have to wait for the next caravan to come through." I can just hear Paul's reply: "I will wait.  BTW, have you heard about Jesus?" Ha ha. Anyway, it was all worth it. I can't begin to tell you what a great week we had...two weeks! I believe with all my heart the word was taught and people listened and we will see the fruit of it for days, months, and years to come. If I have to spend a little time on the floor of the ticketing booth at the Barbados airport for amazing things to happen then so be it. Although I must confess I am tired and ready to be home. Thanks for following our blog. What an incredible journal of faith and inspiration. Perhaps we should read once per month just to remember why we do what we do...or should do. Love to all. Pray for our travel to be safe and for some seats to open up. Jeff
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Edris' blog

The camp was so awesome. I went with two teens from St. vincent as a volunteer and observing the campers, I wish that I was sixteen again. The games are out of this world but the messages from the bible were so real and deep. Those teens were out of themselves which helped to make things easier.
Edris

Wild And Wacky Wednesday

  Wednesday night we had a blast.  The whole camp played Chief Mau Mau.  If you don't know what that is - well, you just have to hope you are lucky enough to see it someday.  All I can tell you is that we were loud, we laughed harder than we have all week, and a few special people got quite the surprise :).

Later in the evening the older girls were still up past lights out time (imagine that).  Sooooo, Sherry, Gail and I came up with our own method of letting the know it was time to go to sleep.  We snuck outside their room and we each stood by a window.  On the count of three we began yelling and banging on windows. The scared screaming reaction was awesome and it worked - the lights went out quickly and we were all able to sleep in peace and quiet (until the rooster began crowing).  Fun and fellowship is a big part of what makes camp special.

On a more serious note, there are people here from the islands of  St. Vincent (30 in the congregation) and St. Kitt (6 disciples with only one man).  I am getting to know the two woman who traveled with their campers from those two islands and I am convicted about my ungratefulness for the fellowship I have available to me at home.  I don't want to forget that I have brothers and sisters who long for the fellowship as have.  Jennifer