How can I put into words all I have experienced in the last five days. It's almost indescribable. I haven't been able to check email or post anything in about a week, so there is a lot to share. The last couple days before we left for Nairobi was absolutely insane. There was so much to do to get ready for our departure. We had a lot of staff returning (Joe and Nancy Lossi – the teachers of the pastors, Huggins and John-Paul) and had to be ready for a quick handover. The day they arrived was Thursday the 14th. The plane overnighted and flew us out the next day. The day of the 14th was crazy. I worked from 7am to midnight non stop. My hair was soaked with sweat the whole day. I don't think I have ever worked that hard! The plane got in late so it was a mad dash to get everything done. Then it was up before 6:00am to finish up and leave by 8:00am. I think we managed to get everything done.
On Wednesday Mark got really sick. He was in really bad shape. He had all the symptoms of malaria and ghiardia. Dennis and Margaret did everything they could to get him better. Mark was given a ton of medicine and got many IVs and injections. It was hard to see him so sick... it was also really scary. I felt so bad that his last couple days were spent in bed, unable to say good-bye in the way he wanted. I would have a hard time not having that closure. I know Mark had plans for those last moments in Tonj. I also didn't know how he was going to make it on the plane. He was vomiting and using the bathroom constantly for two days. Plus, we had the safari lined up for Saturday the 16th. Mark would be really bummed if he missed it. We all were just praying that God would heal him. By the time it came to board the plane, Mark still looked miserable. Fortunately his stomach issues subsided quite a bit. I am so happy to report that Mark made it through the plane ride and was able to see a doctor Friday night. Praise the Lord the test results for all the sicknesses came out negative. The only thing that showed up was a stomach bacteria thought to be from food poisoning, although no one else was sick. We believe he was miraculously healed. Even though he wasn't 100%, Mark was able to go on the safari. God is so good.
The plane ride was really nice. There weren't too many bumps and I think I managed to sleep a little. Ear plugs are a wonderful thing! When we got to Nairobi, we headed to the house where we will be staying. It belongs to a friend of Sabet and Suzy. They contribute to the rent throughout the year in order to have a safe place to stay while in Nairobi. It's a really nice house and I was thrilled to be able to take a bath! The first in two and a half months. I was so thankful for that! After being in Sudan, you really appreciate the small things in life. Something as simple as a bath can be such a blessing. We also had pizza! It was delicious!
After a great night's sleep, Mark and I were picked up at 6:30am for our safari. We went with Mick and Andy, the two Australian guys who stayed at our compound for two weeks. Our safari was at the Masai Mara in Kenya. It's a protected national park. It's about five hours from Nairobi. It's where the Masai tribe live. It's neat to see other parts of Kenya than the city. The Masai are really tough people who live in close communities. They can be identified by their red robes and large ear lobe holes. We stayed at the Mara Sopa Lodge just inside the park. Suzy got us a great deal on the safari. The lodge was beautiful. It was the nicest place I have ever stayed. It was a tropical paradise. There were people from all over the world staying there. I never met any other Americans. I think mostly old rich people go there... it's really nice! How I ended up in such a nice place... I don't know. All the staff was so kind. Everyone was helpful and friendly. I would hear “jambo” (hello!) whenever I passed a staff member. When we got to our rooms (a cute little bungaloo), there were monkeys all over! They were on our porch and by our room, running around and eating. It was so fun! Our rooms were really nice... big comfy beds and hot showers!
Right after we settled in, we headed to lunch... which was a buffet. The food was amazing! After lunch, we had a few hours before our first game drive, so I went to the pool and just relaxed. It was incredibly refreshing. I just watched the clouds go by and felt for the first time in a while, I was able to breathe. I didn't know how much I needed the break until I stopped to rest. I felt really peaceful and thankful that I was able to experience such rest. After being “on” all the time for the last two and a half months, it was nice to have alone, quiet time. After the pool, I sat on our porch and watched the monkeys run around. Again, feeling so blessed and thankful to be there.
Around 4:00, we met up and headed out on our first drive. The four of us were driven in a van by our driver, Willy. The van's top pops up so we were able to stand while we drove and looked all around. After going on a safari, I recommend everyone go on one if possible. Seeing God's creation all around was breathtaking and humbling. Willy was awesome. He drove us all around and found us cool animals. He would maneuver us in and get a great position for taking pictures. During that first drive, we saw zebras, wildebeests, lions, giraffes, birds, dik-diks, gazelles, cheetahs and many other animals. I really loved standing in the van with the wind rushing in my face, looking at the beautiful scenery and sunset. I couldn't stop thanking God for bringing me here. Why do I deserve such a blessing?
After the drive, I took a heavenly hot shower and we headed for dinner. Again... a yummy buffet. After dinner, we sat in the lodge for a bit, chatting and then went a spot where the lodge does a hyena feeding every night. They dump out a bucket of food and the hyenas come out of no where and ravage it. While waiting for that to occur, I noticed a nice cat rubbing itself on people's legs. As a cat lover, I am always excited to cuddle with one when given the opportunity. When the cat came over to me, I reached down and started to pet it and talk to it. All of a sudden it attacked me!!! Bam, bam, bam... he batted my arms around. I jumped away as fast as a I could! Nasty little cat! Fortunately, its claws weren't out so I didn't get scratched. Turns out, it's a feral cat who comes at night to get some of the hyena food. This cat actually rules the place. It jumped down and took food right in front of the hyenas. It even scared away a jackel that had come to scavenge.
That evening, I had a wonderful sleep. I almost wanted to stay in bed when the alarm went off at 6:00am for the next game drive. Somehow I got up and we went on our second drive. This one was my favorite. It was magical. We saw elephants, giraffes and zebras. One surreal moment occurred when I decided to play “I Just Can't Wait to Be King” from the Lion King on my iPod. We were zooming through the meadows looking for animals and I felt so full of joy. So incredibly grateful and peaceful. Listening to that song was really fun, especially while standing in the van surrounded by Africa's beauty. As the song was ending... guess what we came upon? We saw lions eating their prey and teaching their cubs how to eat! There were six or so cubs there. They were SO cute! It was the neatest moment. I just thought, “really God? You made this even better? Wow!” I was overcome with joy at that moment. God blesses me beyond my wildest dreams.
Once we got back to the hotel, we had breakfast and got a chance to relax. I sat on the porch and by the pool and read. God really taught me how to rest in Him on this trip. At home, I never rest in silence. I fill it with TV, music or other distractions. Here, I was able to just relax in His presence with no other distractions. Just me and God. It was beautiful. Again, I was overcome with gratitude. After another good lunch, I rested more and then we went on our last drive at 3:30. We hoped to see rhinos and hippos, but no such luck. That's OK, because it was still amazing. One of the coolest things I got to see was a valley full of elephants! There must have been over fifty, maybe more. It was awesome. We also go to see more lions (including cubs and another one stalking gazelles), monkeys, buffalo, ostrich and other animals. We ended up staying out a little late because we rescued a van. They got stuck in some mud so we towed them out.
That night at dinner, we had a lot of fun. We laughed a lot. It is completely random that I was on a safari with two blokes from Australia that I had only known for two weeks. Mick and Andy were really cool and laid back. I really admire their father/son relationship. Hopefully we'll see them in Sudan again as the school that they are building progresses. After dinner, we saw the Masai dance. It was neat, but a little creepy. They sang and chanted and danced around. One thing they did was jump really high in one spot. Jumping is their super power, that's for sure. Once that was done, we watched the hyenas get fed again. It was cool. That cat, again, ruled the joint.
After another amazing night's sleep, it was time to get up and go back to Nairobi. We left about 8:00am and after a couple stops, we got back around 2:30. The safari was beyond words. The lodge we stayed at was amazing and provided the perfect atmosphere for rest. I really feel re energized for a busy month of work in Nairobi. Although I have only been gone for three days, I already miss Tonj. I know this will be a good month, but I am looking forward to getting back there and spending time with the people in the compound.
Thank you Lord for a wonderful two days.
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