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Friday, February 21, 2020
Update 33
Now we're on the South African side of the Drakenburg Mtns and in Royal Natal National Park with breathtaking views all around us. We Hike along a river full of cascading waterfalls. A brilliantly covered quail strutted down the path in front of us while singing birds hid in the bushes and a tiny red deer rested quietly in the shade. After our picnic lunch, we drove up a rocky road often escorted by baboons.
Once we left the park, we again saw lots of cows, sheep, goats, healthy crops and small villages lined with vendor shacks full of traditional rondavels (traditional round homes built with clay/mud & grass roofs).
A couple easy driving days led us to Ballito & the long sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.
Along the way, we've been staying at Airbnb's...each unique, comfortable & with friendly hosts. In Harrismith, we stayed in a family home filled with splendid antiques & family pictures. The owners had moved into the cottage in the back after their children left. It was a good thing we arrived early as the breakfast spread that was already in our gorgeous room was enough for supper & breakfast! Another night we stayed in Mooi River with Tamra & Angus on their 1200 acre farm where they raise Angus (really) cattle, horses, pigs & sheep. In their old farm house, we sat around their massive kitchen table discussing how milking has changed & crops. We learned we were seeing sugar beans not soy beans. Also heard more about the electricity issues...they call load sharing. Angus said all the coal is being shipped out to China and for some unknown reason, the govt is making it almost impossible to put up solar panels. Imagine in this country where they sun shines most the time! Angus & Tamra have traveled lots & we all agreed traveling was a mind-stretching experience. Tamra got excited when we asked for SA trace tips! In the a.m, she handed Rog a little notebook & the two of them spent probably 2 hours making plans. After corn mush, rusk & yogurt, Tamra located us on Facebook & we said our good byes. The airbnb we're in now is in Ballito & has 10 bedrooms. It's classy & drop dead fabulous villa with a long veranda over looking the ocean. Our host & hostess, Dominque & Luther are quite amazing treating us like family from the get-go. Pouring us drinks, offering food & telling us stories & jokes as we sit in lounge chaired on the veranda. The' s invited us to a braid tonight...how can we say no?? They are the South African version of Brian & Peggy Boyce!! He keeps everyone's glass full & she prepares scrumptious food & laughs at his jokes! We spent the a.m. on the beach & the p.m. by the pool that has umbrellas built right in on both ends. Life is good!!
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Once we left the park, we again saw lots of cows, sheep, goats, healthy crops and small villages lined with vendor shacks full of traditional rondavels (traditional round homes built with clay/mud & grass roofs).
A couple easy driving days led us to Ballito & the long sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.
Along the way, we've been staying at Airbnb's...each unique, comfortable & with friendly hosts. In Harrismith, we stayed in a family home filled with splendid antiques & family pictures. The owners had moved into the cottage in the back after their children left. It was a good thing we arrived early as the breakfast spread that was already in our gorgeous room was enough for supper & breakfast! Another night we stayed in Mooi River with Tamra & Angus on their 1200 acre farm where they raise Angus (really) cattle, horses, pigs & sheep. In their old farm house, we sat around their massive kitchen table discussing how milking has changed & crops. We learned we were seeing sugar beans not soy beans. Also heard more about the electricity issues...they call load sharing. Angus said all the coal is being shipped out to China and for some unknown reason, the govt is making it almost impossible to put up solar panels. Imagine in this country where they sun shines most the time! Angus & Tamra have traveled lots & we all agreed traveling was a mind-stretching experience. Tamra got excited when we asked for SA trace tips! In the a.m, she handed Rog a little notebook & the two of them spent probably 2 hours making plans. After corn mush, rusk & yogurt, Tamra located us on Facebook & we said our good byes. The airbnb we're in now is in Ballito & has 10 bedrooms. It's classy & drop dead fabulous villa with a long veranda over looking the ocean. Our host & hostess, Dominque & Luther are quite amazing treating us like family from the get-go. Pouring us drinks, offering food & telling us stories & jokes as we sit in lounge chaired on the veranda. The' s invited us to a braid tonight...how can we say no?? They are the South African version of Brian & Peggy Boyce!! He keeps everyone's glass full & she prepares scrumptious food & laughs at his jokes! We spent the a.m. on the beach & the p.m. by the pool that has umbrellas built right in on both ends. Life is good!!
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Monday, February 17, 2020
Update 32
A few odd & ends:
-Most people in SA speak English with an accent that sounds like UK but Afrikaans is the most common language heard. It's described as a kitchen language that developed many years ago when the Dutch hired the locals. It's been fun being able to talk to the store keepers, waiters & others we meet.
-So many have told us about areas we should avoid. Robbery is SA is escalating rapidly. We listen carefully & heed their advice.
-In Mozambique one day, we saw many young boys sprinting all in the same direction. Our driver started laughing & said the army must be coming to pluck up the young unemployed boys. After a short training, they will be sent north where there was an unrest.
-Here's some things that made us laugh: Exit Funeral Home, Empathy Funeral Home & HippoTrans (fuel truck).
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-Most people in SA speak English with an accent that sounds like UK but Afrikaans is the most common language heard. It's described as a kitchen language that developed many years ago when the Dutch hired the locals. It's been fun being able to talk to the store keepers, waiters & others we meet.
-So many have told us about areas we should avoid. Robbery is SA is escalating rapidly. We listen carefully & heed their advice.
-In Mozambique one day, we saw many young boys sprinting all in the same direction. Our driver started laughing & said the army must be coming to pluck up the young unemployed boys. After a short training, they will be sent north where there was an unrest.
-Here's some things that made us laugh: Exit Funeral Home, Empathy Funeral Home & HippoTrans (fuel truck).
Sent from my iPhone
Update 31
Lesotho...a landlocked kingdom ruled by a king & parliament surrounded by South Africa. That's about all I knew before we passed through immigration to enter Lesotho. We saw gorgeous scenery and we saw a tiny country in limbo...trying to modernize with cement homes...most not finished...a new & modern university & many people talking on cell phones. But mostly what we saw was poor crumbling housing of mud/rock, some newer corrugated homes...most with outhouses. Tiny farms mostly worked by oxen with failing crops...small herds of cow/sheep/goats under the watch of shepherds who wore heavy blankets & traditional straw hats or ski mask...in spite of the 80 degree temp. We drove roads slowed by speed bumps, potholes, erosion, heavy pedestrian traffic, and uneven & rugged edges.
Our destination was the Basotho Cultural Center. It was a pleasant surprise! It was very well done and interesting. Our guide walked us through a replicated village giving us lots of details. The original chief settled here in early 1800's & managed to get the 16 local tribes to band together...mostly by marrying lots of their women...140 wives in all. He encouraged other tribes to take women from his tribes too. He even put girl's huts on the edge of his village so they were easy to steal away and be married.
He eventually found it safest to move his village to the top of a butte...much like Manchu Picchu. After he died, his son took over & to this day, the kingdom is ruled by his descendants.
Fascinating info on a plaque in the museum said many of the Basotho tribes trace their ancestors to Egypt and Ham, the son of Noah. Roger asked if the missionaries told them that and our guide assured us that it was part of their story looong before any missionaries came.
After a night at an old farm...sleeping in an out building with marginal updates....we took the road that skirted the western boundary seeing more of the gorgeous natural mountians and more of the same struggling kingdom.
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Our destination was the Basotho Cultural Center. It was a pleasant surprise! It was very well done and interesting. Our guide walked us through a replicated village giving us lots of details. The original chief settled here in early 1800's & managed to get the 16 local tribes to band together...mostly by marrying lots of their women...140 wives in all. He encouraged other tribes to take women from his tribes too. He even put girl's huts on the edge of his village so they were easy to steal away and be married.
He eventually found it safest to move his village to the top of a butte...much like Manchu Picchu. After he died, his son took over & to this day, the kingdom is ruled by his descendants.
Fascinating info on a plaque in the museum said many of the Basotho tribes trace their ancestors to Egypt and Ham, the son of Noah. Roger asked if the missionaries told them that and our guide assured us that it was part of their story looong before any missionaries came.
After a night at an old farm...sleeping in an out building with marginal updates....we took the road that skirted the western boundary seeing more of the gorgeous natural mountians and more of the same struggling kingdom.
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Update 30
On the road again....drove all day arriving at Bethlehem...not THE little town of Bethlehem...a large town in Orange Free State, SA. Quickly we found our Airbnb & then went to find a good place to eat our Valentine dinner. We did too! Had grilled shrimp & a luscious chocolate volcano cake with ice cream.
Avoiding most the pot holes on our way, we passed miles of corn & soybeans that Farmer Roger said had great color & very consistent. He was very impressed... especially because it was Dekalb seed. Herds of cows & flocks of sheep and goats grazed in the lush grass fields. There were acres of banana & other covered fruit trees. No doubt SA can grow food! Though obviously productive farms, we saw many deserted & destroyed farmsteads. We'd heard about this from one of our hostess who had herself deserted her farm after one of her farm hands had been killed by a robber. She had slept with her shotgun for years & finally gave up.
We also passed 4 power plants with humongous cooling towers spewing out steam. We followed an low & straight elevator for about 10 miles that ended going up into a silo near one of the plants. Probably carried coal there. Yet for some reason...SA regularly have their power shut off. Usually they get a notice of when..but not always. We experienced an unannounced one last night.
The Airbnb we're in over looks an old quarry with a great view. Linda, our hostess, is a direct descendent of the first man from Netherlands to settle in this area. She said their records showed very few black people were in the area. She had strong opinions about what was happening in SA & didn't hesitate to tell us...without us even asking:
"Right now SA is 7% white. In 10 years it will be 1% because whites are leaving...it's a total brain drain. Blacks just keep breeding & breeding & breeding! It must be the only thing that brings them pleasure. They are dumb & I recently read that their IQ is about 70. They can't learn. They don't want to work or become educated. All they know how to do is open their hands & ask. We give & give & give and they just destroy and ask for more. Millions of illegals from all over Africa are coming in looking for a hand out too. Trump is smart to keep immigrants out and to think only of improving his own country & it's economy. SA's black leaders are horrible. Africa is a big hole you can dump $$ into but will never get better! The Dei Groot Trek group from the Netherlands settled here before blacks & so it is their home!"
As you can tell, she didn't sugarcoat her feelings. Imagine what more she'd told us if we'd asked?!
Linda did give us some good suggestions the next morning for our day in this area. We drove through Golden Gate Highland Nat'l Park where we spotted a wild dog, zebras, emu or ostrich?, and antelope all while admiring the phenomenal views. Picture the grand cliffs of Utah with a velvet covering and surrounded by rich corn & soybean fields...monument Valley surrounded by fields!
We strolled through the town of Clarens, an artsy & quaint little town and had a delicious steak & quiche dinner. Back at our Airbnb we called the kids via Messenger...until the power shut down. Love that we can visit them from anywhere in the world!! I'm writing this by solar light & Rog has crashed. I better too cause we'll be off early tomorrow headed for the independent Kingdom of Lesotho.
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Avoiding most the pot holes on our way, we passed miles of corn & soybeans that Farmer Roger said had great color & very consistent. He was very impressed... especially because it was Dekalb seed. Herds of cows & flocks of sheep and goats grazed in the lush grass fields. There were acres of banana & other covered fruit trees. No doubt SA can grow food! Though obviously productive farms, we saw many deserted & destroyed farmsteads. We'd heard about this from one of our hostess who had herself deserted her farm after one of her farm hands had been killed by a robber. She had slept with her shotgun for years & finally gave up.
We also passed 4 power plants with humongous cooling towers spewing out steam. We followed an low & straight elevator for about 10 miles that ended going up into a silo near one of the plants. Probably carried coal there. Yet for some reason...SA regularly have their power shut off. Usually they get a notice of when..but not always. We experienced an unannounced one last night.
The Airbnb we're in over looks an old quarry with a great view. Linda, our hostess, is a direct descendent of the first man from Netherlands to settle in this area. She said their records showed very few black people were in the area. She had strong opinions about what was happening in SA & didn't hesitate to tell us...without us even asking:
"Right now SA is 7% white. In 10 years it will be 1% because whites are leaving...it's a total brain drain. Blacks just keep breeding & breeding & breeding! It must be the only thing that brings them pleasure. They are dumb & I recently read that their IQ is about 70. They can't learn. They don't want to work or become educated. All they know how to do is open their hands & ask. We give & give & give and they just destroy and ask for more. Millions of illegals from all over Africa are coming in looking for a hand out too. Trump is smart to keep immigrants out and to think only of improving his own country & it's economy. SA's black leaders are horrible. Africa is a big hole you can dump $$ into but will never get better! The Dei Groot Trek group from the Netherlands settled here before blacks & so it is their home!"
As you can tell, she didn't sugarcoat her feelings. Imagine what more she'd told us if we'd asked?!
Linda did give us some good suggestions the next morning for our day in this area. We drove through Golden Gate Highland Nat'l Park where we spotted a wild dog, zebras, emu or ostrich?, and antelope all while admiring the phenomenal views. Picture the grand cliffs of Utah with a velvet covering and surrounded by rich corn & soybean fields...monument Valley surrounded by fields!
We strolled through the town of Clarens, an artsy & quaint little town and had a delicious steak & quiche dinner. Back at our Airbnb we called the kids via Messenger...until the power shut down. Love that we can visit them from anywhere in the world!! I'm writing this by solar light & Rog has crashed. I better too cause we'll be off early tomorrow headed for the independent Kingdom of Lesotho.
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Friday, February 14, 2020
Update 29
We headed for White River today where we'd booked another fabulous Airbnb up on a mountain over looking a lush valley. On our way, we passed miles of farms growing sugarcane, banana & other fruit trees and macadamia nut trees...and very little litter. Homes are mostly cement block with metal roofs and though some are a bit rough, most look pretty good. Some really nice. Vastly different than Mozambique!
Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got noticed. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house. A couple hours later we came to the Bobotie Restaurant.
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Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got noticed. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house. A couple hours later we came to the Bobotie Restaurant.
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Thursday, February 13, 2020
Update 29
We headed for White River today where we'd booked another fabulous Airbnb up on a mountain over looking a lush valley. On our way, we passed miles of farms growing sugarcane, banana & other fruit trees and macadamia nut trees...and very little litter. Homes are mostly cement block with metal roofs and though some are a bit rough, most look pretty good. Some really nice. Vastly different than Mozambique!
Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got notice. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house with a chocolate store next to it. Mmmm. A couple hours later we came to Potluck Boskombuis....a restaurant serving authentic African food. The bridge there was closed so we had to scramble over rocks next to a fast running river until we got there. The restaurant was situated under a rock ledge. Food was cooked over an open fire in a half barrel. We weren't hungry, so we sat by the river drinking beer & Coke and ordered the special, bobotie to go.
Our last stop on the Panoramic Drive was called God's Window...breathtaking!
Just before getting back to our Airbnb, we passed a McD...yup I couldn't resist. The Coke Light & hamburger were almost like home & the fries were spot on!! Rog of course, ate a burger too...just because he could. Then when we got back, Rog heated up his bobotie liking that too. He said it tasted like beef hash.
We sure saw some gorgeous parts of SA today!!
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Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got notice. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house with a chocolate store next to it. Mmmm. A couple hours later we came to Potluck Boskombuis....a restaurant serving authentic African food. The bridge there was closed so we had to scramble over rocks next to a fast running river until we got there. The restaurant was situated under a rock ledge. Food was cooked over an open fire in a half barrel. We weren't hungry, so we sat by the river drinking beer & Coke and ordered the special, bobotie to go.
Our last stop on the Panoramic Drive was called God's Window...breathtaking!
Just before getting back to our Airbnb, we passed a McD...yup I couldn't resist. The Coke Light & hamburger were almost like home & the fries were spot on!! Rog of course, ate a burger too...just because he could. Then when we got back, Rog heated up his bobotie liking that too. He said it tasted like beef hash.
We sure saw some gorgeous parts of SA today!!
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Change in Weather / Low Rumblings /Strong Beliefs. By Roger
Change in Weather
Since a few days before leaving Mozambique we have enjoyed much more comfortable weather. While at Zimpeto the skies clouded over giving us some relief while visiting the hospital, the streets of Maputo, and the dump. Was that good timing!
Then on the day we left for South Africa it had rained all night, flooding streets and cooling things further.
The weather has been exceptionally nice here in S.A. (Around 75 to 90 degrees). We have even need blankets several times. Heading South tomorrow so expect more great weather.
Low Rumblings
As I sat on the porch of our Air BnB in the early morning my eyes were busy scanning
the dense surrounding area for animals. Sounds of strange birds and animals were like a music that I had never experienced. Was that a monkey chattering, or some bird? What caused that crunching sound? ...maybe tree bark being torn apart?
We are at Marloth Park which adjoins Kruger National Park and many animals from Kruger may be seen grazing here.
We saw and heard some Hippos when we came to Kruger with Ben and Jen so now I scan with anticipation after hearing a low rumble nearby.
Two impala graze peacefully just 30 feet from where I sit on the porch. More strange unidentifiable sounds then, once again, the low rumble. Closer this time. Could it be a Rhino? How exciting would that be!
My eyes squint as they penetrate the undergrowth to notice any movement or unusual color. Another rumble...and another. Regular now, I recognize it as a sound I have heard before.
Jane, still in bed, has been unintentionally tricking me!
Strong Beliefs
Reflecting back on our experiences at Zimpeto...
We have met many people here with strong beliefs. That shouldn't be too surprising since many of them are true missionaries,sent on their mission by their Creator.
He can be heard when the noise of the busy world subsides.
They regularly talk to God and look to Him for direction in their lives. Then they act on what he tells them.
Some have given up personal control of their lives so that they can do what they hear God telling them to do. Giving up many personal possessions, hobbies, toys, homes, and time with family, frees them to do what they are compelled to do. Serve others for God.
Their faith leaves me in awe.
By Roger
Since a few days before leaving Mozambique we have enjoyed much more comfortable weather. While at Zimpeto the skies clouded over giving us some relief while visiting the hospital, the streets of Maputo, and the dump. Was that good timing!
Then on the day we left for South Africa it had rained all night, flooding streets and cooling things further.
The weather has been exceptionally nice here in S.A. (Around 75 to 90 degrees). We have even need blankets several times. Heading South tomorrow so expect more great weather.
Low Rumblings
As I sat on the porch of our Air BnB in the early morning my eyes were busy scanning
the dense surrounding area for animals. Sounds of strange birds and animals were like a music that I had never experienced. Was that a monkey chattering, or some bird? What caused that crunching sound? ...maybe tree bark being torn apart?
We are at Marloth Park which adjoins Kruger National Park and many animals from Kruger may be seen grazing here.
We saw and heard some Hippos when we came to Kruger with Ben and Jen so now I scan with anticipation after hearing a low rumble nearby.
Two impala graze peacefully just 30 feet from where I sit on the porch. More strange unidentifiable sounds then, once again, the low rumble. Closer this time. Could it be a Rhino? How exciting would that be!
My eyes squint as they penetrate the undergrowth to notice any movement or unusual color. Another rumble...and another. Regular now, I recognize it as a sound I have heard before.
Jane, still in bed, has been unintentionally tricking me!
Strong Beliefs
Reflecting back on our experiences at Zimpeto...
We have met many people here with strong beliefs. That shouldn't be too surprising since many of them are true missionaries,sent on their mission by their Creator.
He can be heard when the noise of the busy world subsides.
They regularly talk to God and look to Him for direction in their lives. Then they act on what he tells them.
Some have given up personal control of their lives so that they can do what they hear God telling them to do. Giving up many personal possessions, hobbies, toys, homes, and time with family, frees them to do what they are compelled to do. Serve others for God.
Their faith leaves me in awe.
By Roger
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Update 28
In true Mozambique style, our driver showed up late & we missed our prepaid bus...but no worries...he took us to another bus stop & for some reason, they let us get on! We headed to South Africa where we'd lined up a rental car and had asked the bus driver to drop us there as we were going right by...well, he forgot & apolitically dropped us about 1 km past the car rental. So with our backpacks on & pulling our luggage in a light rain...with cars & trucks whizzing past us spraying water on us...we headed back to the car rental spot. When we finally got there & were waiting to talk to the clerk, I opened the daily message I get from a bible app...it read "Stop Complaining to Each Other." Seriously Jesus has a sense of humor!! The car we'd lined up wasn't there...so they gave us one with barely any gas. The clerk told us to follow him to the gas station, he filled it up & told us to come back in two hours & our car would be ready. It was. Amen. Finally, we took off headed to the Airbnb in the bush spotting lots of animals on our way. It was a lovely setting & gorgeous accommodations.
After a bountiful breakfast prepared by our hostess, we headed to Kruger Park in our rental. There we hit the jackpot: a monstrous Daddy Rhino protecting his baby & the mom who were wallowing in a mud puddle just off the road. When Big Daddy got in the road & headed toward us in our tiny Hyundai...Rog...trembling slammed it into reverse & slowly back away. We then played chicken with Big Daddy for the next 20 minutes going back & forth until finally he & his family lumbered off into the thick bush & we sneaked by. Talk about an adrenaline high!!! We also spotted 9 giraffes in one spot, two hyenas ran right in front of us, a slew of baboons played & wrestled in the road, saw zebras, kudu, warthogs, wildebeest, monkeys, a crocodile & elephants...the youngest one danced, flapped his ears & tooted for us! We were pretty pleased with our successful we'd been as our own guides! Treated ourselves to a nice dinner overlooking Crocodile River...where we spotted another crocodile!!
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After a bountiful breakfast prepared by our hostess, we headed to Kruger Park in our rental. There we hit the jackpot: a monstrous Daddy Rhino protecting his baby & the mom who were wallowing in a mud puddle just off the road. When Big Daddy got in the road & headed toward us in our tiny Hyundai...Rog...trembling slammed it into reverse & slowly back away. We then played chicken with Big Daddy for the next 20 minutes going back & forth until finally he & his family lumbered off into the thick bush & we sneaked by. Talk about an adrenaline high!!! We also spotted 9 giraffes in one spot, two hyenas ran right in front of us, a slew of baboons played & wrestled in the road, saw zebras, kudu, warthogs, wildebeest, monkeys, a crocodile & elephants...the youngest one danced, flapped his ears & tooted for us! We were pretty pleased with our successful we'd been as our own guides! Treated ourselves to a nice dinner overlooking Crocodile River...where we spotted another crocodile!!
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Update 27
Our past two days at Iris were Saturday & Sunday which was great because the kids weren't in school and we could play most the day...plus the weather has cooled to 85-90 degrees with a sprinkle in the air so we weren't so lethargic! I even got the caregivers (tias) to play Memory game with me. The laughed & played for almost an hour. The playground which is entirely sand & now a bit moist made a great place to make sand houses, garages, roads, etc. and flip flops are perfect trucks. Kinda like a beach but without the lake! There's a toy cupboard in the visitors hall so each time we'd go out, we took something new to do: puzzles, play dough, books, crayons, various games & the boys' favorite, frisbee. We also blew up the rest of the balloons we'd brought. Hopscotch, jumprope, 4 square & tag also was happening. Busy playground! The disabled kids came out to hang out in the covered pavilion & it was heartwarming to see the other kids toss balloons to them.
In the babies' dorm, riding toys were out and they were crashing & hilariously laughing. The tiny ones crawled to my lap safe from the crazy drivers. Later, they went out in their own sandbox & tossed sand all over each other. Soon my lap too was covered with sand.
Sunday at church, we were asked to come up front to speak. We thank them for opening their hearts to us & giving us so many experiences. Then they wrapped us in capulanas and prayed over us. I felt very blessed.
As evening drew near, we had to start saying good bye to the missionaries, tias & kids. I choked up many times...especially when on particular girl who'd seemed to seek me out all the time, hugged me & said "I Love You." As tears rolled down my cheek, another girl w/ special needs said, "Why you cry?" All I could say was "Because I care."
One of the missionaries, Jez came to say goodbye to us. She told Roger she'd seen him playing with kids that she'd never seen spend time with a white visitor. She was touched by how Roger so easily drew them in to play with him.
So we leave Mozambique. A country with so many needs and now so many people we have come to care about.
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In the babies' dorm, riding toys were out and they were crashing & hilariously laughing. The tiny ones crawled to my lap safe from the crazy drivers. Later, they went out in their own sandbox & tossed sand all over each other. Soon my lap too was covered with sand.
Sunday at church, we were asked to come up front to speak. We thank them for opening their hearts to us & giving us so many experiences. Then they wrapped us in capulanas and prayed over us. I felt very blessed.
As evening drew near, we had to start saying good bye to the missionaries, tias & kids. I choked up many times...especially when on particular girl who'd seemed to seek me out all the time, hugged me & said "I Love You." As tears rolled down my cheek, another girl w/ special needs said, "Why you cry?" All I could say was "Because I care."
One of the missionaries, Jez came to say goodbye to us. She told Roger she'd seen him playing with kids that she'd never seen spend time with a white visitor. She was touched by how Roger so easily drew them in to play with him.
So we leave Mozambique. A country with so many needs and now so many people we have come to care about.
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Monday, February 10, 2020
Update 26
The Iris Ministry influence runs deep & far here. Even into the massive Maputo dump known as Helene where last year after a hard rain storm, one side collapsed & slide down covering the shacks where many lived. They can only estimate the deaths to be around 40. We went there today to take bread, prayers & encouragement to the people who dig through the garbage. A young Iris graduate has started a business there to give them a paying job. Using scrap metal & parts, he's designed & built a machine that bales the cardboard they find. My Dad could have been such a help to them!! He then can sell the bales...sometimes. Unfortunately his machine is broken & he has no $$ to buy parts and the recent rains have made it hard to sell the wet baled cardboard. His workers have made enormous piles of sorted colored glass but there is no Mozambican plant to recycle them. He is working on getting a license to export them but no luck yet. His workers were still shifting through the newest garbage stacking card board & he was still determined. This is faith I can't imagine.
As we walked among the piles of burning rubbish smoldering & smoking, a tiny girl...maybe 3...walked by me holding a couple green oranges. I turned to see who was watching her but only saw several older ladies sifting through garbage bags & pulling out thrown out food. One lady caught my eye & so I walked over & hugged her. If I'd had a $100...a $1000 dollar bill in my pocket, I would have given it to her.
We did get in a circle & pray together and then gave each two loaves of bread.
We got back in the van & drove just a little ways to where most of the "dump dwellers" live. Many people...especially kids ran out to meet us & again we passed out bread, breaking them in half for the youngest kids.
Two little boys about 4-5 ran off hysterically laughing & kicking up their heels. That's an imagine that will stay with me!
As we drove home, our driver, John (also an Iris grad) said he knew where he could buy lots of rice for a good price & after he dropped us off, that's what he was going to do. Imagine John who probably earned so little was so willing to give some away.
We'd again found a place to leave a donation. How could we not???
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As we walked among the piles of burning rubbish smoldering & smoking, a tiny girl...maybe 3...walked by me holding a couple green oranges. I turned to see who was watching her but only saw several older ladies sifting through garbage bags & pulling out thrown out food. One lady caught my eye & so I walked over & hugged her. If I'd had a $100...a $1000 dollar bill in my pocket, I would have given it to her.
We did get in a circle & pray together and then gave each two loaves of bread.
We got back in the van & drove just a little ways to where most of the "dump dwellers" live. Many people...especially kids ran out to meet us & again we passed out bread, breaking them in half for the youngest kids.
Two little boys about 4-5 ran off hysterically laughing & kicking up their heels. That's an imagine that will stay with me!
As we drove home, our driver, John (also an Iris grad) said he knew where he could buy lots of rice for a good price & after he dropped us off, that's what he was going to do. Imagine John who probably earned so little was so willing to give some away.
We'd again found a place to leave a donation. How could we not???
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Update 25
The hair!! I did not know those darling little braids & artistically arranged ladies' braid we have seen so many Mozambicans wearing are mostly fake!! They buy extensions which are black as coal & perfectly matches their hair. Their own hair is usually very short & they braid the extension right onto their hair. It can take hours to do a whole head of those tiny, tiny braids. There are so many styles and so many tiny beads added in many ways.
It's a real time consumer for them. Every day I see girls with their head in someone's lap who is braiding or unbraiding their hair. I even worked on unbraiding today. I could hang pretty darn hard while holding the part closet to the head & the girl didn't flinch...I was pulling the fake part. After about 30 minutes, I'd taken out may 7 or 8 of the 100 or more she had.
Imagine about 60 girls needing this done about once a week!! Lots of girls pitch in...you'll see a 6 -7 year old doing a 4 -5 year old or a 12-13 yr old doing one of the caregivers. You even see the girls braiding extensions into their Barbie dolls' hair. Yup...white Barbies with blonde & black braids. They tried to do mine but the extensions slipped right out of my fine hair.
The things I never knew or thought about while admiring the Mozambicans' hair styles!
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It's a real time consumer for them. Every day I see girls with their head in someone's lap who is braiding or unbraiding their hair. I even worked on unbraiding today. I could hang pretty darn hard while holding the part closet to the head & the girl didn't flinch...I was pulling the fake part. After about 30 minutes, I'd taken out may 7 or 8 of the 100 or more she had.
Imagine about 60 girls needing this done about once a week!! Lots of girls pitch in...you'll see a 6 -7 year old doing a 4 -5 year old or a 12-13 yr old doing one of the caregivers. You even see the girls braiding extensions into their Barbie dolls' hair. Yup...white Barbies with blonde & black braids. They tried to do mine but the extensions slipped right out of my fine hair.
The things I never knew or thought about while admiring the Mozambicans' hair styles!
Sent from my iPhone
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