Day Fourteen - Wednesday, July 13: London - Los Angeles - Home

Passing through London again. We arrived in London at 4:45 a.m. about a half an hour ahead of schedule. On the way to the waiting area we had to leave security and one of the women informed me that they would definitely take the bottle of Amarula I bought in South Africa.

We sat in the same waiting area we were in before with a Starbucks and a Pret a Manger coffee and sandwich place. We got a couple of sandwiches and sat and used the computer until my battery ran out.

The Longest flight Ever! Our next plane leaves for Los Angeles at 9:55 a.m. This plane was pretty much completely full so there was no room to stretch out. As always this is the slowest flight of all - ten and a half hours. Since it's day the whole way there is virtually no sleeping. I watched two and almost a third movie this time, but we made it safely back a little early at 12:45.

Back in LA. We then got through customs and had to wait for Melissa Chinn while she charged her phone with Lisa's charger. then we all walked over to the Southwest terminal and checked in for our 5:30 flight. Lisa and Christine and I got something to eat and have been hanging out waiting for our last flights. They leave at 5 for Phoenix.

Back to Sac. The only late plane was from LA to Sacramento but we wound up being only 15 minutes or so late. On the plane a guy from South Africa sat next to me so we had a great time chatting about Africa and our trip. He must have been a Christian as he talked about having worked for Gideons.

Tony and Vicky and Jake were there to greet us, and we stopped at Chipotle for some dinner on the way home. We arrived right around 8 p.m. so the total travel time from Livingstone to Sacramento was right around 42 hours!

Day Thirteen - Tuesday, July 12: Livingstone - Joberg - London

Beginning the long journey home today. It will turn out to be nearly 42 hours of travel time.

The last breakfast. Met Lisa and some of the group for breakfast at 7:30 after a great night of sleep.

Back to the Falls. After breakfast Christine and I went to take one more look at the falls and again it was absolutely gorgeous and moving. We took a moment to pray together in front of the majesty of it all. My main prayer was that we would not forget what we learned on the trip. That what God taught us and showed us would continue to impact our heard and who we are and what we do.

Bartering with the locals. From there we walked over to the market and made a few last minute deals. I was really jonesing for some giraffe stuff and Lisa had ask me to spend up to 30 Kwatcha for one of the fabric purses. It was so much fun wheeling and dealing with the local sales guys. I worked hard to get the best deals possible. First I wanted to be sure I got it and I got a great deal on Lisa's purse for 20,000 I found a great giraffe batik and then I wanted to get a giraffe figurine. I tried to get both for 65,000 K but even after a phone call to the boss man it was a no go. I remember I had gotten some US cash from Katie from the Bungee loan and I got the batik, a giraffe and a hippo for $20 dollars. We did a little more shopping and Christine really wanted to get Robert a bracelet so we used what little cash we had left but when he wouldn't make the deal we through in two loose mints and her bag with Tums in it. She tried to take out the two Imodium pills but when we explained what they were he took those too.

One the way out we met Zoe and I went back in to help her negotiate for an elephant painting she really wanted. She paid a little over 100,000K for it but it was exactly what she wanted.

Once we got back we had about a half an hour to get all stuff packed and up to the front desk. I settled my final bill which totaled a little under $300.

Heading Home. We waited a little while for Moffat and Doreen who had taken a helicopter ride and once they arrived we were off to the Livingstone airport. At the airport we discovered that there was a new $5 carbon replacement tax and the Brooke did not have a proper ticket, but we got it all worked out and were soon on our way to Joberg on South African airlines at about 1:15.

We had a fun time hanging out in Joberg trying to find Harry's walking stick, having coffee and chatting with Lisa at Lilly, saying goodbye to Adam, Lindsay, and Lauren several times then heading down through security to wait for our British Airways flight to London at 7:15 p.m. Christine felt a little bad but we got her some drugs and she soon as fine again.

This flight went by pretty fast as it was a night flight which increased the chances of burning some of the ten hours sleeping.

Day Twelve - Monday, July 11: Livingstone Botswana Safari

Heading out to Chobe. Left for Chobe and Botswana at 7:45. No sooner had we driven about ten minutes until a herd of about ten elephants crossed the highway in front of is. This was a good sign I thought.

We drove through down town Livingstone and then out of the park that apparently all the land is in and then on to the open road toward Botswana. The drive from the hotel to the border took a little more than an hour. Adam had asked me to help gather the list of everyone’s names and passport numbers for the border crossing between Zambia and Botswana.

Crossing the border into Botswana. As the bus approached the border many trucks were lined up at the side of the road waiting to cross the border. They can wait up to five days to get across as there are only three ferries and no bridge and most of the time one of the ferries isn’t working. As we stopped at the border on the Zambian side I collected all the 20 passports of the group and went into the immigration office with the bus driver. We walked past all the people waiting in line and immediately got all the passport stamped. We got back in the bus and it drove us right to the edge of the Zambezi River where ten of us piled into a skiff which ferried us across the river. On the Botswana side we waited for the other group of ten. At this location in the river it is the only place in the world where four countries meet: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana.

We then got into another bus from the tour company and it took us to the immigration office on the Botswana side. This time we each had to go up to the window and have our passports stamped individually. As we walked across the border were were also supposed to wipe our feet on some chemically treated towel to prevent foot and mouth disease but in reality it turned out to be just a muddy towel in a metal tray. Our driver for this part of the trip was named Blessing which I thought was great.

After the border crossing and passing the other set of trucks waiting to cross into Zambia it was immediately clear how much greater was the wealth in Botswana. The roads got instantly better, there were street lights and even the raised reflectors embedded into the road in places.

Chobe Resort and River Cruise. From there it was about a 15 minute drive to the Chobe Lodge, another amazing African resort, where we boarded a boat for our real African wildlife cruise. The 20 of us were on it with at least two other groups. As we left the dock we were immediately served coffee or tea and some great baked goods. WE first look at he left side of the river and saw a baby crocodile, an African Darter and some Mongoose. Some of the highlights of the cruise were seeing a crocodile with a huge catfish IN ITS MOUTH!

Hippos. A family of hippos which are supposedly the most dangerous and deadly of the Big 5. Some elephants off in the distance coming down to the water’s edge. We also saw Cape Buffalo, Impala, Antelope and probably over 15 different kinds of birds. The whole cruise lasted about two hours.

Back on the dock we all enjoyed another great lunch buffet with all kinds of great meat and fish under the amazing thatched canopy.

Chobe Safari with Moses. At 1:30 we split up into two groups and jumped into our safari vehicles which were amazingly reminiscent of the jeeps on the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. Our guide was named Moses and he was truly amazing. After leaving the hotel we stopped at the gate of the Chobe game reserve and then were off on out big game safari. To try to put this into words that captures what we saw and did would truly be impossible. It was everything I could have imagined and more. AS we entered we saw a number of giraffe off to the left but as giraffe are shy they were off quite some distance away. Soon we starting seeing elephant and before the trip was done we must have seen hundreds. Chobe has between 120,000 and 150,000 elephants which is said to be the largest concentrations of elephant in the world.

We circled back toward the river’s edge where we saw hippos, baboons, mongoose, and more elephants.

Nine Lions. Moses had told us earlier that they had spotted some lions who had made a kill in the morning and that we would try to find it. He had a radio and I’m sure they must have scouts out to determine where all the best viewing is.

This was utterly amazing. We came up on a pride of lions. There was one off to the left and then gathered around a bush with their kill were eight others. Two other vehicles were already there but Moses maneuvered us closer. At one point we must have been within 30 yards and we were able to just sit there watch and take all the photos we wanted to. Incredible. Nine lions.

Flirting with Moses. We then slowly drove away and headed to a spot by the river where we took a break and could have a drink or slither off into the buses to take care of the drink you had had earlier. I chose the latter. Zoe and Natasha had fun talking with Moses and had their picture taken with him and he told the story about when he was almost killed by a hippo when he was a tour guide on one of the smaller boats. He had gotten between a baby hippo and its mother and she had attacked the boat and almost got them all.

Lion Cubs. We left our break spot and it seemed impossible that we would see any thing that would rival what we had see to this point but we did! Off to the right in a tree we saw two baby lion cubs that the mother had placed in a tree to keep them safe. So those made a full dozen lions.

Elephant Crossing. We also came about upon about 20 elephants heading down to the river and Moses backed up the car so that they crossed in back and in front of us. At times I think they were less that 20 years away.

Elephant Morning. Up the road we also saw another group of elephant stop and pay respects at the carcass of a young elephant that had died or been killed the day before. Moses said they were morning it’s passing. Whether or not it was true, it was still quite a moving sight.

Giraffe.The only thing that we had not seen that I really hoped to see were some more giraffe up close but as were were so close to the end I did not think it would be possible but we still had to drive back through the area where we had seen them before. Me of little faith.

Did we ever see giraffe up close? We stopped probably within 50 yards of two beauties and there were at least ten others around. They are so majestic. I love watching them move.

Soon we were back at the front gate and stopped to use the restroom. I think it was about 4 p.m. The women somehow over came the lack of toilet paper in the restroom and we headed off in the open air jeep to the border crossing.

WE each had our passports individually stamped on the Botswana side then took the skiff back across to the Zambia side. I gathered all the passports and took them into to be stamped by the driver but we kept coming up one short. I finally grouped them and realized that it was Katie Reeder’s that was missing so I went back to the bus, got it, took it back to the passport office, got it stamped and we were back on the road again.

The return trip took a little over an hour and we were back by 6:15 as the sun almost had completely set. Moffat had left a message for us to gather at the business center for a time of debriefing and prayer. We lost a few of the folks including Zoe and Natasha but we had a great time of fellowship together. Moffat asked each of us how we were doing and if we better understood the mission of Northrise University and then we went around the room and each shared our hearts. WE ended with a time of prayer and then headed off to dinner.

By God’s grace we got the seating arragements all worked out and had a great final meal and time of fellowship.

It probably was about 9:30 by the tme we went to the business for one last look at the email and then off to bed.

Another perfect day in Africa.

Animals

1. elephant

2. impala

3. mongoose

4. crocodile

5. monkey

6. monitor lizard

7. warthog

8. kudu

9. cape buffalo

10. hippo

11. sable antelope

12. antelope

13. water buck

14. giraffe

15. babboon

16. slender mongoose

17. Lion (12)

Birds

1. African Darter

2. Pied Kingfisher

3. Wire-tailed Swallow

4. African Fish Eagle

5. White Egret

6. Ginea Hen

7. Spar-winged Geese

8. Vulture

9. White-faced Whistling Duck

10. Yellow-billed Stork

11. African Spoon bill

12. African Jakana

13. African Skimmer

14. Marabou Stork

15. Egyptian Geese

16. Little Egret

17. Gray Heron

18. Giant Kingfisher

19. Yellow billed Hornbill

20. Crown Plover

21.Lilac breasted roller

22. Starling

23. Red-billed Hornbill

24. Blacksmith Plover

Day Eleven - Sunday, July 10: Livingstone Victoria Falls

Early morning at the falls. Got up near sunrise, went and got a raincoat and then walked over to see the falls in the morning light and saw an amazing double rainbow. Found Lisa and Katie there so we all hung out to see if the sun would ever break through. There was quite a covering of clouds and so I think it longer than it might have on a clear day.

I then went back to the room and got Christine for breakfast. By this time in the trip I was almost totally stuffed and did not want to eat much. Who can eat even two huge meals every day? This morning I found the yogurt and granola which is always what I love to eat most when we are traveling

Bungee jumping on the bridge adventure. We gathered every one at breakfast and made plans to head over to the Victoria Falls Bridge for the Bungee jumbing experience. Our group was made up of me, Christine, John and Tina Drake, Tasha and Zoe, Brooke, Katie and Mark. To leave Zambia and go onto the bridge we had to go into the immigration office where they gave us a piece of paper where they wrote the number of people who were in our group that we had to give to a guy at the gate on the bridge. All the way we were surrounded by the locals who were selling everything from carved animals to bracelets. The guy who approached us was named Peter and he tried to be our guide trough the whole process. He actually hung around the entire time we were on the bridge.

A little less than half way across the bridge we had to walk up some stairs to the bungee company office where you could decide exactly what you wanted to do and then pay. The cost was $120 for the full bungee jump. Before I could really decide whether or not I actually wanted to do it it was clear that Katie did not have enough money so I worked out a deal with her to pay for it for her in Kwatcha and then she would pay me back in dollars. So I no longer had enough money to do it even if I had decided that I wanted to.

After they all paid and were committed, we all walked down to the bridge to wait our turn. Mark was first and Zoe second. They each were weighed and given a number

then harnessed up.

Mosi at the pool bar.

Nap

High Tea on Livingstone Island

Chasing the Giraffes

Dinner

Day Ten - Saturday, July 9: Ndola to Lusaka to Livingstone

Goodbye Northrise. We were up at 6 to pack and have one last breakfast at the Savoy. Hard to believe we were leaving our home for a week room 823.





We left Northrise at 7:15 to head out to the airport. Our flight was schedule to leave for Lusaka at 8:45 as we headed to see Victoria Falls at Livingstone. We left on time and spent about two hours in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka and left for Livingstone at 12:15. The flight was about an hour. At the airport in Livingstone we were met by Doreen and then whisked to the Zambezi Sun Hotel which is amazing. The girls ditched us and then Christine and I went to look at Victoria Falls together. In Zambian it is called Mosi-o-tunya. Smoke and Thunder. We also hiked all the way down to the Zambezi River to see the Boiling Pot where all the waters converge. Here is the bad news. The internet is terrible and there will be only brief reports and No photos until our return.

Livingstone, I Presume. At around 1:30 when we arrived at the Livingstone airport where we were greeted by Doreen. There has been some confusion about how to pronounce the name Livingstone. It looks like it should be pronounce “Living + stone” but then I have always heard it pronounced “Living + stun.” I am happy to report that after listening to the Zambians say it that even through their English accents that the “Living + stun” pronunciation is the best way to say it.

Zambezi Sun Hotel. Once we arrived at the Zambezi Sun Hotel we were greeted by four guys dressed it tribal clothing or lack there of who performed for us. Alex, Zoe, and Tasha went over and they dressed them up for a quick photo.

It didn’t take long for us to get into our room, 3245 which was quite beautiful. Out our balcony you can hear Victoria Falls and even see some of the mist. We are told that many animals will come right up to the grass area below. Also to be sure and keep your sliding glass door closed or the monkeys will come into your room when you leave.

We were told the it was best if you borrowed a rain coat from the hotel as it gets quick wet from the mist but when we got there they only had one so we heading for the falls with out any.

Victoria Falls! It was probably only a quarter mile or so walk to the falls and we had to pass through a gate as we left the hotel grounds and sign out. It is had to describe in words how impressive the falls are. The sound and the mist mixed with the rock and trees and blue sky were incredible. The rock paths were great but there were no guard rails anywhere. One slip and you could fall over the cliff’s edge into the drink No ADA in Africa. As we did not have the aforementioned raincoats, we only went part way into the viewing area but still it was stunning.

From there we walked above the falls and saw where the Zambezi River flows into the falls.

Down to the Boiling Pot. Next we located the little market area we had heard about where they sell all kinds of stuff but I saw a sign and without too much thought we decided to descend the 600+ yards to the Boiling Pot at he bottom of the gorge where the water from the falls meets back with the river. The hike was pretty intense heading down rocks and steps that at times were pretty steep. We finally did make it and sat at the bottom looking up at the bridge where the bungee jumping takes place. We thought we might die on the climb back out but we took our time and it really wasn’t that bad. The worst part of the whole trip was that we both had to use the restroom almost the entire way.

Once we made it back we decided not to go into the market but instead went back to the room. I left Christine there and went and used the internet and asked the desk people about all the possibilities of what there was to do. From helicopter rides to elephant rides to tours on Segways there really is a ton of fun stuff to try. You just have to have lots of money.

Sunset at the Livingstone Hotel Deck. When I got back to the room I hustled up Christine and we headed over toward the Livingstone Hotel (the more amazing five star property) and their outdoor deck where everyone recommended you go to watch the sun set. On the way there we ran into little Harry Sexton and he showed us the giraffe he had just seen. We walked over to the deck with the Stroupe clan and although the sun had just gone down it was still incredible beautiful. We found Zoe and Tasha and Brooke there and another large group of our folks too. We had a glass of wine and enjoyed watching what was left of the light, the river and the five hippos we could see off in the distance.

Sumptuous Dinner Buffet. Soon it was 6:30 and nearly complete dark so we wandered back over to our hotel for dinner. It was an amazing buffet with tons of great choices. I actually had crocodile (tastes like chicken) and some great stir fry although the pizza was just OK. There must have been about 50 different desserts but the best was the ice cream. We sat with the Jacksons and had a great time together. Linda is a pediatrician and Gary is a handyman and the boys are Garrett and singing, bundle of energy Alex.

After dinner we talked for a while with Lisa, Maxie, Adam and Lindsay and then walked back over to the business center for some free internet and then headed back to the room. We were able to catch a little bit of the Tour and then it was bed time after a long and amazing day.

Day Nine - Friday, July 8: Pastor's Conference Day Four

Adam's pastor did the devotion at chapel today

Loading up the books. Each pastor would get five books that had been donated.

Last Day at the Pastor's Conference. Final Day of the Pastor's Conference with teaching on Theology and Church History with Maxie Burch.
Mulenga asked me if I would introduce Maxie and say a few words and I was honored to be asked. Before I spoke I stopped and took this picture of the whole group.

Maxie spoke on Theology and Church History at it was excellent but I wanted to be sure that it had a context for the pastors so that is want we talked about at out small group time. I think that it made sense to all of them. That it was important because it put their faith and beliefs in a context.


My small group.

Day Eight - Thursday, July 7: Pastor's Conference Day Three

Here's the deal. So much happened today. So many blessings and miraculous workings of God. But...it is currently almost p.m. and only have 12% battery left. Today at the Pastor's Conference Scott Savage from North Phoenix Baptist Church taught on how to study the Scriptures and then we studied a Ephesians 2:1-10 together. Next he taught a method for preparing a sermon and and then he put it all together to show how to put a sermon together on a single passage.



I also left the conference and got a tour of another local school which is another amazing story.



AT the end of the day we were taken to a place where we got some great local crafts. what until you see my new Zambian shirt!


Steve asked a question about how we can all best pray for the Zambian pastors. Here are a few requests.

Pray that they will be diligent with time and study in preparation for their sermons.

Pray that they would continue to be loving shepherds who learn how to lead and love their flocks.

Pray that they would be able to take down barriers between them and their congregations that they would be more than just preachers.

Day Seven - Wednesday, July 6: Pastor's Conference Day Two

What a night...the music finally stopped! Apparently because Monday and Tuesday were national holidays everyone was partying all night long. We Monday was Heroes Day and Tuesday was Unity Day.

Keeping Christ Close. Paul Wolf lead today’s devotion at chapel this morning and spoke on keeping Christ in your mind and asked “Can we live a live where God is always present. He challenged us to form the habit of being present with God.

Around nine we headed out to day two of the pastor’s conference in one of the famous Chinese buses.

We were a little later than yesterday and when we arrived worship was well under way. It is very hard to describe without being there. The worship leader sings and and the rest of the group follows his lead.

The teaching was truly amazing as Pastor Duane took us through an outline of the entire Old and New Testaments over the four hours of teaching today. It was literally his 40 years of study and preaching pouring out. What a blessing it was.

We took a break half way through the morning and had these delicious scones and coffee or tea.

Scott and Charlie.

Harry and Dr. Duane

After tea we got into groups and discussed what insight we had gleaned from the Old

In front of the pulpit of Ndola Baptist Church

The afternoon session focused on finishing the Old Testament where we looked at the Major and Minor Prophets.

Then we did the entire New Testament in around an hour. Pastor Duane took questions and then it was time to head back to Northrise.

We hung out for awhile and then headed off through town to the YMCA hunting for Zambian items to buy. We really wand to stimulate the local economy. It was about a ten minute walk through the streets that were now bustling that the holidays were over. We were accosted by beggars one woman and her two children that were particularly relentless. We waited but apparently the woman who had the goods there was at the trade fair and was not set up to sell after she did finally arrive. On the way back I did finally spend some Kwatchas on a Fanta, a Coke and a Coke Zero.

For dinner we had Asian Chicken and Beef something over rice then have had a great time talking with folks and blogging.