Posts Tagged ‘safari’

Out Of Africa

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Brenda and Perry Jansen

This summation is probably for my benefit as I reflect on the incredible experience Steve and I had In Malawi and South Africa.  Safari’s are not glamorous but folk who dedicate their lives to helping others are rock stars! They are the people who captured my heart on this God-led journey.

Dr. Perry Jansen: visionary, doctor,awesome guitarist, expert in AIDS and tropical diseases, Man of God, Caring father, colleague to many, and funny.

Brenda: devoted Mom and helpmate, tender and focused heart, hostess, musical,anchor.

Nate: bright student, college bound, passionate worship leader, great guitarist, kind big brother, huge potential.

Jansen Family

Erin: emerging woman, playful kid, good writer, great big sister, sweet tooth.

Olivia: small voice, big smile, large heart, pixie, chocolate bundle of joy and delight.

Blessing: phenomenal natural talent, dependable, quiet, polite, appreciative. Bird painter extraordinaire.

Donald:  supportive friend, gracious, focused ladder climber.

Anna, Miriam, Joseph, Lester, Ida, Lucy, Octavius, Grant, John Hamilton, John Fielder, Cory, Elizabeth, Stalkers, Colleen, Maxwell, Agnes, the kids of Takambe, nurses in frilly caps, Blue-gingham girls, the 4:30 ambulance pile-in, Chijenzes, ironed shirts, short ties, and the miracles God brought about to pass every single day.

Blessing and Donald

Things I wont miss:  Goats, potholes, crumbling roads, cold showers, bicycles, smoke, power outages, no internet, pushy vendors, extreme poverty, flying for 26 hours, converting kwatcha$, nsima.

Things I did miss or will miss:  Family at home, new friends in  Malawi, wine, big salads, servants, the warmth of the people, power outages (hey candlelight is nice) the African worship, people with passion, childrens’  faces, visiting, tv-less, early nights, early mornings, MASH episodes.

Dick and Charlotte Day

In Zomba we now have fond memories of Moira and Steve Chimombo, Dick and Charlotte Day, Windeson’s cooking, Winston, Ben, Jean,Irene, Isabel,Catherine, Faith the villages of Simyoni, Kawiya,  Makundula, the Mponda School and Zomba Central Hospital.

And we took the love of wonderful folk who donated panties, time, baby caps, pencils, quilts, stencils and funds to make it all happen,  and PRAYER and those who offered it up that kept us safe and healthy!! and a husband who shared a passion and humbly served others. Love him even more.

Thank you Editor, you keep me grounded and connected.

What a journey!

XO

Kruger, South Africa

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

We made it to the Blantyre Airport for the twice a week plane to Jo’berg.  It’s quite an event when the plane touches down, refuels and heads back to Johannesburg.

A two hour flight, one way cost us each $595. But no competition will do that.  We are Safari bound.

We are picked up at the airport by Len and Esta, our guides.  For the next 4 days we will be together as they drive, cook and escort us through Kruger park.  A 6 hour drive just to get to the park.

Here come the animals.

Mongoose Play In The Front Yard

Friday, September 24th, 2010

I am really scurrying. All of this internet work is going on our guides’ phone bill, so this is all for now.  After 9 hours in the car driving all over Kruger Park (its’ huge) I had had it for the day.  But the other three have gone out to look for some lions reported to be in the area.  The gates to our camp site close a 6 so they will be back soon.  I even uploaded a few pictures, so you should see those in the Photos page soon.  I am going out to watch the sun go down and the mongoose play in the front yard.  love ya, over and out for today.

Scenery Like Victorville

Friday, September 24th, 2010

2nd day of Safari…102 degrees, scenery like Victorville, our husband and wife guides with us 24/7. I vote Wild Animal Park. Steve enjoying KC’s camera..Eager to post animal pictures.

Travel To Kruger

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Leaving Zomba for a 2 hour drive and 2 hour flight to Jo’berg and a 6 hour drive to Kruger for a 4 day Safari.  Pray for travel mercies in this crazy country! It will be a long day 🙂