I'm on the Kenya-Tanzania border about 250 miles from Nairobi. We traveled for 4 hours on paved roads (I use the word paved loosely), and then 2 hours on dirt roads to get here. Every time I thought we were on the edge of civilization, we kept driving. This place gives new meaning to "the middle of nowhere." It is beautiful here. It feels expansive and wild and ... untouched.
We went on Safari today. Safari is Swahili for Journey. I discoverd that it is Swahili for -- lions 10 feet away ... no cages ... no concrete moats ... just us in a truck with no roof and the lions yawning at us, taunting us with their big, ferocious teeth. "I dare you to get out of the truck," I thought I heard the biggest one say. We saw hippos, giraffes, elephants, zebras, impalas, and too many other kinds of exotic animals to remember. It was a great experience ... a great part of the journey.
God's creation is an awesome thing. At the hour I would normally be preparing for worship, I saw a Kenyan sunrise. I witnessed a Kenyan rainstorm. I saw the sun break through the clouds after the storm, its rays mimicking the fingers of God. And I realized how easy it is to believe in God. It makes you wonder about those who don't.
I was struck by the wildebeest (not sure of the spelling) and the zebras. The wildebeest are near-sighted, but the zebras can see for great distances. The zebras have no sense of smell, but the wildebeest can catch a scent from miles away. So they always hang together. They travel in flocks ... always together ... the wildebeest and the zebras ... complimenting each others strengths and weakness. There's an illustration in there somewhere.
Several of us have been sick (I'll spare you the gory details). Fortunately, there are several in the group who are amateur pharmacists -- I don't think Walgreens is more equipped. My luggage did not make it to the Safari with us (long, sad story) so I've been borrwoing stuff from everyone. Ron gave me a shirt and some shorts. Danny Sosebee offered me some socks (although I suspect they were some of his dirty socks).
When you're ON MISSION you work together. When you're ON MISSION you don't have time to fight over who has what and who doesn't. You just share because you know that tomorrow it might be your turn to be in need. When you're ON MISSION you put aside your differences and your particular picadillos and you learn how to get along because you know that if you don't, you will fail in your mission. It's good to be ON MISSION. It would be great if we could always live ON MISSION.
On the drive up here I saw a Massai shepherd and his two young sons, standing on either side of him, out in a field with their herd. The Massai, tall and proud, was carrying his long shepherd's stick -- his little sons on either side of him with their miniature version sticks, like something out of National Geographic. Their father was teaching them the family business. It reminded me that today is Father's Day. And I miss my family terribly. My heart hurts right now for my wife and my children. I want to be with them today. I know I'm exactly where God wants me to be, but that doesn't ease the pain much. I can't wait to hug them and tell them how much I love them. I try to do that multiple times every day ... It's been 5 days since I've been able to do that and I'm suffering from withdrawal pains.
The Massai shepherd and his sons also remind me that too often our children don't get the best of us ... they don't see us at our best. They get the grumpy side of us after we've been working all day and are ready to release the stress. These Massai children are seeing their father at his best ... doing what he was created to do. They are learning from him. We could learn from him too.
It's Father's Day. The journey (Safari) has been long. I miss my family. I miss worshipping with my Calvary Family. I'm glad that my ticket home says, "McAllen."
Blessings,
pastor ellis
EO: Happy Father's Day. We miss(ed) you today and the rest of the crew and our prayers are with you. I've read your other entries and you are up against some heavy emotional stuff. As the Brits say, "Keep a stiff upper lip" which means your heart is usually breaking without it showing. Glad we came across the pond (Atlantic). I envy your safari, not the loss of your luggage nor the use of Danny's socks. I believe you may be referring to the wildebeast. Drefke has probably slain one and has it on his wall. Your portrayal of the lions reminds me of Gary Larson's FarSide comic where the people on safari on in their vehicle and a lion is attempting to gain entrance. One person is telling the other, "Drive!!, drive!!! this one has a coat hanger!! Hope that doesn't happen and do not get out of your vehicle to get a picture. I'll watch National Geo. thankyou very much. We dudes will meet on Tuesday at Denny's and will pray for you dudes. See you soon. Joel
Posted by: Joel Salinger | June 18, 2006 at 07:34 PM
ellis,
I will not tell you we went a enjoyed a Denny's breakfast today. Not that I will not be mean but we woke up late today. We had a wonderful lunch with steak,fajitas, chicken fajitas, rice, beans and ofcourse the typical Flour Tortillas. but your are not missing much the way describe Africa I wish I was there. I was not able to go on this trip but being their through this blog makes me want to be there and experience all you have seen. You are always so great in detail description that i can actually see What you are seeing. (you should write a book I promise I would read it) you have a talent and God has given you the ability of this trip so all at Calvary can see Africa with you. looking foward to your next post.
see you soon and be safe,
flor cox
Posted by: FLOR COX | June 19, 2006 at 05:35 PM