Electronic Flight Check In?

Some of you have asked me... "Should I check in online the night before my flight?"  Or, "What about the new electronic bar code check in?"  Well, I guess if you have a small domestic flight that you are taking within the US, the online check in is ok.  But might I suggest printing out your boarding passes vs the bar code scanning through your iphone to check in?  Yes, this technology is very intriguing and tempting to use, but there are still some "bugs" that I believe should be worked out before this would be a viable choice for checking in for a flight.  From my travels across the globe, I personally prefer checking in at the airport if at all possible.  I feel safer being able to have my boarding passes printed at the airport, rather than the night before.  I like being able to get the most updated flight schedule on my boarding passes that I carry in my hand, just in case there have been any schedule changes overnight. 

 

If my customers are taking an international flight, I usually will encourage them to print out their eticket confirmation and take that to check in at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure. This allows them time to check bags, get boarding passes printed out, and make it through that long line through TSA Security.

 

 

 

One time, I was taking a flight and did the online check in where the boarding passes were just a bar code that was on a link through my smart phone.  We were traveling with 4 of our children, so I had a handy link for each one of them, and was thinking that everything was going to go smooth sailing since I had done all of this work ahead of time.  Boy was I wrong!!  I had the bar code on my iphone screen all ready to scan with the TSA agent after waiting through that whole long line of people. I got to the front of the line only to find out that one of my bar codes was not working and would not scan through to get one of our children checked in.  I thank the LORD that our older children were able to take the younger one for me while I ran to the United desk to get a paper boarding pass printed out.  We all could have very easily missed our flights due to the delay that this caused!! 

 

 

This is very serious and something that needs to be considered.  These electronic bar code check in's are not the most reliable for international travel in my opinion.  Just imagine that you are traveling to another country and by the time you get there, your iphone has lost it's charge and now you don't have any piece of paper showing your itinerary, or your boarding passes for your next flight. This can cause extreme delays and confusion for you.  It is much better if you print out as much paper as possible, especially if you are traveling to a third world country where things are not as technologically advanced.  You will want to be able to have some sort of paper trail to show them proof that you did indeed purchase your flights etc. 

 

Also, you may want to consider that it may be difficult to charge your iphone unless you go to a specially designed kiosk in the airport where you happen to find your exact phone charger there since international plugs are not always compatible with the cord that you bring with you to charge your phone. 

 

 

A handy international power adapter is a great idea to have in your laptop case and with you in your carry on luggage as well, for any type of electronic devices that you have which may be in need of powering up before you reach your destination.  I hope these suggestions are helpful in planning for your next international trip.  Have a wonderful journey!

 

Safe Travels,

Tabitha L.

Missions and Adoption Travel Lady

www.cheapmissionstrips.com

www.adoptionairfare.com

(800) 732-4806 x705



My Own Shepherd

I used to be my own shepherd
I always had want
I forsook God's green pastures
To have my own fun.

Despised His still waters
And His righteousness
Hanging my soul...
Over shadows of death.

You made me a table
I had no time to dine
Offered goodness and mercy
I thought I was fine.

It wasn't until I repented and came
To the Lord as my Shepherd
That I was born again.
Surrendered myself to His rod and staff
Now I experience His comfort at last.

Not on the highway of hell anymore.
My cup runneth over
Praise the Lord!
Praise the LORD!!!

- Tabitha Lovell

Little is Much

I was just looking over some photos from my missions trip to Uganda and came across this photo which I like to call, "Little is Much".  I guess living in America we can so easily forget how much we take for granted.  I hate hearing words like "bored" when we have so much to pray for!  This picture really struck my heart again to remember these little ones and how the box on their bed is really all that they can call their own.  It is interesting to me to see how little is much and much is little sometimes.  It is a matter of perspective I guess.  We need HIS perspective on this situation, to help us not to become apathetic and to help us remember.  The children in this orphanage actually have it very good in comparison to most.  Let the Lord fill us once again with HIS perspective for these children.

I

I really like this photo of our time worshiping the LORD with some of the little children in another region in Uganda.  It was so sweet to see a young member of our missions team lead us in worship with these little children.  I know that the Lord was RIGHT THERE hearing us and pleased with this worship unto His throne.  HALLELUJAH!!  I miss Uganda so much sometimes, but seeing these photos helps me to remember and keep my heart looking for ways to minister and be reaching these children who are miles away...

Until they are safely in families,
~Tabitha

Missions and Adoption Travel Manager
www.adoptionairfare.com
www.cheapmissionstrips.com

Saving Money on Adoption Travel

Did you know that you can have access to special airfare for your International Adoption Travel? If you are not yet familiar with all of the ways that you can save on your humanitarian and adoption travel, you really need to read on! Specialized agents have access to discounted fares for adopting families who adopt internationally. Many families don't realize that they don't have to pay the high fares that are published online for their Adoption Travel. There are special contracted fares that you can use to help you save significantly, especially on the one way trip to bring your child home. Some airlines charge astronomical fares for the one way return flights coming back home for adopted children. However, if you use the special humanitarian fares, there are discounts to help you pay a fraction of the cost of what you will see listed online, if you know an agent who can help you!

Every day families try to book their own flights online for their Adoption Travel, and they come across many problems along the way. One major roadblock is booking the one way return flight home for the adopted child. Families sometimes try to book a round trip since round trip fares are sometimes lower than one way tickets that they are seeing online. These families are not aware that when the child doesn't depart with the rest of their family, their flights are cancelled by the airline. Yikes!! I can't think of a bigger nightmare than to arrive at the airport with your child and your return tickets in hand, only to be told that your child can not travel and will need a whole new one way ticket! Families have literally paid twice for their child tickets home when they have tried taking their travel into their own hands.

It is always best to use an Adoption Travel Agent to help you with this booking, so that you don't have to hassle with the ins and outs of adoption travel. Many people are scared to use a travel agent because they don't want to pay that person money out of pocket. However, when using a good travel agent, not only will you be saving money on your trip, you will also never be stuck with a bill. All of your costs are included in your ticket prices. A good travel agent will never stick you with a bill to pay for their services. Another big benefit of using a travel agent for your international adoption, is that you will not only save money, but you will also have someone who will hassle with the airlines so that you don't have to.

When you take your next trip for any orphan or humanitarian work, please consider using a travel agent who is trained to help you access the lowest fares available for your work. After all, the people you are serving and the children you are adopting could use the extra funds you will be saving.

Until Next time...

Safe Travels,

Tabitha Lovell, International Travel Manager / Owner

http://www.AdoptionAirfare.com

Precious Gems for His Crown

If faith comes by HEARING the Word of God, please do not ever underestimate the POWER of VERBALLY sharing the gospel with those that you encounter.  Yes, gospel tracts are AWESOME, but where are those who are verbally sharing and preaching the gospel out on the streets to the crowds of people dying in their sins?  Where are those who come alongside of a sinner and speak gently the words of LIFE with them?  


We as Christians have this glorious opportunity to store up treasures for our KING when we get to heaven!!  What investment are you making into the Kingdom of God?  What jewels will you have to give Jesus when you get there?  Are you treasuring up for yourself treasures here on earth in the form of antiques, boats... Oh, please remember that these things are not evil in themselves, but they are corruptible.  Moth and rust will corrupt these things and thieves can break in and steal them. OH, if you lay up heavenly treasure, no thief can ever steal it, no rust can never corrupt and no moth can ever destroy it!  I am not talking about throwing your money in an offering basket at church on Sunday.  I am talking about SOULS!! 


Zachariah 9:16


The Lord their God will save them in that day,
As the flock of His people.
For they shall be like the jewels of a crown...


Malachi 3:16-18

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.

¹⁷ “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.^[a]
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
¹⁸ Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.

Can you imagine it?!!!  Making it to heaven one day and looking across the sea of faces of souls who have been redeemed from Satan's grip and are now so thankful to be in Heaven and SO grateful that someone stopped to share the love of Jesus with them.  Someone cared about them and was not ashamed of Jesus, and opened up their MOUTH to share words of LIFE with them!!  Can you imagine this?!!  And then, to look and see some who YOU invited there!  Oh, what a GLORIOUS day that will be!!  What treasure could be more precious than this?  He who wins souls is wise (Prov. 11:30).  What are you spending your life on?!  What treasure will you have for JESUS when you reach eternity?  Oh, HE is so worthy.  HIS blood spilled for us was not in vain, and did not come without a price.  Oh, let us spend and be spent for the gospel.  Let this life be used up and wasted for HIM just like the oil that Mary poured out on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair (John 12:3).  Let this be a picture of spending out all that is precious to us, and POURING it out on JESUS.  Oh, to have treasure laid up for him, to bless Him with when we get there....


When He Cometh
Hymn- Author Unknown


When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.

He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.

Let's make sure we have jewels to offer our Precious LORD when we get there!

Oh, don't be ashamed of Jesus.  SPEAK UP boldly with LOVE for the lost.  You never know who will respond with FAITH as they HEAR the gospel spoken, and sometimes you may never see what happens with a seed that you planted until you reach eternity.  If you tremble and shake when you are talking with someone, don't worry.  This is like working out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), and the LORD will be praying for you as you do this (Hebrews 7:25)!  

Onward Christian Soldiers!!

God bless you today as you SPEAK up for Him in Faith!

~Tabitha 

Keeping a Large Group Organized on a Missions Trip

When helping my customers with their large groups traveling together internationally, I like to recommend a few helpful tips for the journey.  The one thing that I always say is plan for the worst and HOPE for the best when it comes to large groups.  Travel insurance is a very important factor to think about which I recommend to our groups first and foremost.  If you purchase a good policy, your group will be covered for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, and things like lost baggage!!!  Losing luggage on your international trip is every traveler's nightmare. No one ever wants to be in this position, but let's face it, these things can and do happen and it is always best to be prepared in the event that you find yourself in this crisis situation.  Travel insurance will be very helpful to compensate for some of the loss if this should ever occur.

Another important thing I like to recommend is to make sure the group is all wearing the same shirt on the day they will be traveling.  This sounds like a silly thing, but for large groups, this is an easy identifier to make sure that members of the group can easily recognize each other and stay together in the airports.  This will be very helpful, especially if each group member remembers to wear them and the colors are very bright and distinctive.  You may not think about safety issues as much on US soil, but as soon as you step foot in another country and find yourself in an airport all the way across the world, you will find that every safety measure that you take now will be appreciated when you are out of your comfort zone.

You may also want to make sure each person has their passport in a special passport carrier around their neck so that no one in the group loses their passport.  It is always good to make copies of your passport and carry one in your checked baggage and another in your carry-on just in case you happen to lose your passport somehow on your trip.  Having a copy will be life-saving if you have a forgetful group member who leaves their passport somewhere in Africa and is trying to get on their flight without it.

Also, please remember that if you are a group leader and are a frequent flier, your group members may not be.  Please make sure that you remember to educate your group on what to pack.  If you have any questions about what to carry on with you, please direct members of your group to http://www.tsa.gov for all of the necessary requirements for carry-on items and how to pack liquid items in your carry-on bags.  This can be very time-saving if all members of the group have a good understanding of what to expect when going through security, so that we can all KEEP THAT LINE MOVING if you know what I mean!!  And I know that for all of you international travelers out there, you KNOW what I mean.  ;)

I hope that these tips are helpful for all of you group leaders and group members of missions trips this summer!  Please visit my website for more helpful tips and for a free airfare quote for the missionary and humanitarian airfare we provide!  www.cheapmissionstrips.com

God bless and Safe Travels!
~Tabitha :)

What is Missionary Airfare?

You may be wondering, "What exactly is Missionary Airfare?"  Many people take missionary trips or travel for adoption related purposes, and think that their only option is to go online and book a flight that is non-refundable using an online booking engine.  Well, this is not always going to be the best option for you, especially if you are interested in saving money and having flights that are refundable (minus airline penalties and fees).  Missionary and Humanitarian airfare is something that we offer through the contracts we hold with over 30 of the major airlines!  This is an incredible resource for the Body of Christ to help them in saving money with their flights.  Our missionary contracts with British Air, Delta/KLM, United, Lufthansa, Emirates and many others, allow us to provide you with lower cost airfare in most cases, than flights that you are seeing online for your international travel.  We provide missionary airfare to churches, people taking trips with humanitarian organizations, and other types of missions related and adoption travel as well!    

You may be thinking that these flights will cause you to be seated by the restrooms in the back of the plane, but this is not the case!  In fact, you won't even recognize anything different on your flight than any other passengers in the Economy class of the aircraft.  It is really a blessing to be able to use these flights that we provide to help you use your money more wisely for maximum impact for the Kingdom!  Many times we are able to HOLD flights for up to 11 months in advance for groups or individuals with little or no money down in some cases.  Our missionary contract with British Air also allows missionaries to take 3 checked bags free per person for British Air flights.  This allows missionaries to be able to bring lots of supplies with them to donate while they are on their trip if extra baggage is needed.  

We are excited to be able to offer this resource to the Body of Christ for their individual missions travel or group travel!  We are capable of helping to reserve group flights with the airlines with just a small deposit to allow missions groups to raise their support while holding their flights up to 11 months ahead of time!  

Please feel free to visit our website where you can find videos and helpful resources for your next missions trip and you can place a quote request for a free airfare quote anytime!  www.cheapmissionstrips.com 

God bless you on your next journey!!

~Tabitha L.

International Travel Manager

(800) 732-4806 x705