We all rolled into Halali (our rest camp) shortly before the gate closed at 5:30pm. My team has had more car issues... okay... maybe just me, but I wasn't driving this time. We arrived at the first rest camp with plenty of time to do a bit of "game hunting" but when Nate went to start the combie it wouldn't turn over. We were (and still are) able to push the combie and pop the clutch. We are a real life "Little Miss Sunshine" mobile.
Debrief has begun and people are still trying to process the events of this journey. We may never comprehend it all. After our meeting many of us went up to the Moringa watering hole and saw these three rhino. All I could do is marvel and think that these are probably the same ones that we see year after year. They always come at the same time and it's always the three. I've never really thought it through like that before and it put a smile on my face. Tomorrow some of us will head out early in search of lion and elephants. Some will just spend most of the day back here at camp. I am really excited to see what tomorrow brings!
Monday, July 14, 2008
We made it to Etosha!!
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27 comments:
Bon and Patrice- Wow, really sounds like you guys are having an incredible time there as your trip winds down. It's great to hear all the things you guys are doing for the kids there. As for me, I've had a winner of a day. Just got in from pitching a complete game, getting ready to eat birthday cake, and best of all, I finished the book today! So so good and I'm glad I followed through with it. Well while you're out tomorrow, say hello to an elephant for me. I've always wanted to see one.
-T
Darin, behave yourself! Katie, make your dad behave! Love you guys!
John - I am heading to Utah for business, returning very late Wednesday night. You can still send revised return trip stuff via email if you get to it and I will get it when I return. Just a bit of nonsense on the homefront - Dad's car died over the weekend but he was able to jump start it this morning to take it Evans. Jen's car also died over the weekend. We got it started this afternoon to drive it to a repair shop in Winter Garden. It was a bit of an adventure as it died on St Rd 50 in rush hour traffic. We had to have it towed to the repair shop. Thanks for loaning us your truck! Based on what I read just now, I hope you have room left on your camera for the photos I think will be absolutley amazing! Love you, Mom
Kerry - very important see my blog under Darin's Diary Part 5
Glad you all made it safely. Enjoy it all so cool!
Kerry , Bonnie and Patrice i am really looking forward to stories.
Love
Mom
COURTNEY!! Down time - what an exciting adventure as you now get a chance to relax and enjoy God's creation as you've never seen it before. I pray you see (safely!) lots of wild life and beauty in your surroundings. Who can doubt God when they look at what He has created! I love you sweet girl - I shall continue praying for you, and for the whole team. Oh, tell the girls I cried when I got my "love you grammy" on video!! Thank you all! God bless, grammy
DItto to Shari...
Darin, Jesse... Behave yourselves! :)
Have fun, just not too much fun. Jesse's hands and arms are not insured! I don't want any lions nibbling on them.
I had some car issues of my own, namely a teenager rear-ending me while both sitting still at a red light today. Not even sure how she did it! no damage done, but she was really upset so I tried to calm her down before sending her on her way.
I will be praying for you all for processing the trip, the transition home, and safety in travel.
Patrice,
Preserve those pictures from 'the hunt!'
and/or keep the stories saved! Can't wait to hear em.
Stay away from the bottom of elephant feet, it's hazardous to your health. That goes for tiger teeth, too!! BE SAFE!
Mom & Dad
Jan,
I hope that you will be able to 'experience' the wildlife !
Love,
Carey
Germaine,
That is cool about the Rhinos !
Carey
Grammy,
Thanks for the tip on getting the videos from Namibia.
Carey
Mk10:45
Hi Mandy,
Ok, if you did not see mom's directions for Etoshia go back to "Darin's Diary Part 5"! Remember that we refer to such animals as wild beasts. These animals are very smart, they entice you to get those close up pictures and then....I just can't think about it any longer. Just use your zoom lens from afar.
I love you without end,
Mommy in Mont Vernon
John: Ditto about those hands and arms... no one-armed guitar players.. Your Mom already has it figured out that if you take all 1400 pictures, we can view them at 200 a night for a week. She has it in her planner. Yikes... you're already scheduled here when you get back. See you soon. Dad
Darin: Real faith takes a group away from home and leads them on work no one would do for fun, vacation or any selfish reason. Thank You for being a great uncle, friend and brother to John. God chose you for a purpose... leadership in growing others. Mike
Morning Doll! sounds like Etosha is awesome! what a cool trip for you all.! Angela is looking forward to teasing you about your safari trip :) She says she misses you and can't wait to see you! Kara is leaving for Maine again friday, BUT she thinks she is coming back by Monday pm, which I thought would make you happy!
These next couple days will be full of mixed emotions for you all. I would venture to say that your heart will be sadder to leave Africa then it was to leave NH. Now that you have made such wonderful relationships, and seen the fruits of all of your efforts, I'm sure staying on there would be an easy choice for you. It is a hard thing to give so much love and help, and then leave. I am sure Pastor Darin will have some advice for all of you on these mixed emotions. I am praying for you, and hoping that you leave feeling peaceful and "full". God has been everywhere on your trip, and you are lucky to have been immersed in it.
We are all fine here. Ryan sends his love, as does Derk. They are both missing you very much. I told Kara that I would NEVER complain about a house full of teenagers again. you breathe life into our home, with you and your silly friends' antics and I will never take it for granted again.
Enjoy another day looking for "lions and tigers and bears, oh my" and I will write again soon.
Love you, MEAN IT! xoxoxo Mom
sorry for another note ... stuff to tell Melissa ! Meliss, I talked to Carol Poulin today, area agency coordinator for Respite care. We got to talking about you, and your trip to Africa, etc. She does not hire kids under 18 ...but would like you to consider occasional respite care for a family in Milford that has a 4 year old little boy wit autism. Parents need a break here and there, she thought you would be good at it! :) Also, we will not be getting Jenna as a foster child, Mom is against the ISO program. (big surprise) BUT they now picked ups, ahead of about 10 other people to take Ashley. I will be hearing from her case manager soon, and will start visits with her, and getting her ready. will all need to learn how to give insulin shots, as she is severely diabetic too.... You will love her! Say a prayer that we are the right family for her and she is right for us. thought you would like to have this info. I still miss you !
LYMI! Mom
Hi Matt, I'll bet you will have some amazing photos of the animals when you get back. Just don't get to close and personal. lol We know you are having an experience ypu'll nver forget and we're so glad you went. Although...aclhxh I can't wait til you're home messing up the house and running in and out with a parade of friends. I miss you much baby, and look forward to seeing you soon. Love moma
Maegan Tootie, your time in Africa will soon be over...I know you will miss all of the excitement and activities you have been used to since arriving...there is lots for you to do at home, too...I know you will use your talents to help those around you...I am sure Africa has been an eye opener for you... Dad, David and I love you very much and are so proud of you...LOL, Mom
Hi Everyone! We are about to bake brownies. And mom is supposed to call the guy from easy bake oven so i can make things, but shes not. Hopefully mom will call them so i can make you guys a big cake when you get back!
Dad, I miss you, and when you get back i will miss your side of the bed.
Katie, I miss you. jk
John, kewl dude.
Courtney, Hope you haven't slipped.
And for all the rest of all you guys, Hi.
Love,
Emily
Courtney I need you!!!!!!!!! I wish I could telepath to/from you to get the answers I need from your brain.......Please pray I will make the right ones and that you will be happy with whatever I decide!!! I LOVE YOU!! And everyone is terribly anxious for you to get home......
Mom
Lucy Therese Roaf, born 7/14/08 at 12:58 a.m., 5 lbs., 5 oz., 18.5 inches long, says hello with her mommy! A family trip to Namibia should be in the works by 2022 or so?
Hey Melissa Doll!
I'm really sorry that it took soo long for me send off a comment, but with the nice ones that Mom sent, you certainly received some great notes. We're all doing fine here in Peterborough, Ryan is in bed right now, we had golf last night, you'd be very proud of him, he sank a putt in the hole from about 30 ft away, he's the next Tiger Woods.....and he'll tell you that everytime, I guess teaching him how to be humble with his good golf game will have to be taught next, lol. I went up to York Beach this past weekend for Lisa's B-day, it was a lot of fun, the only downfall was that I got about as red as the lobster we ate the night before, at the beach on Sunday, OUCH!, pass the Aloe...lol.
Enough with the silly stuff, I just finished looking at your pictures on the site, you look like a celebrity among all those smiling children around you, but come to think of it, you are a celebrity in their eyes, someone who would travel as far as you did, and spend time with them, and play with them, with all the risks that can be part of traveling to a new and uncharted land for you, your bigger than any celebrity that I can think of. I couldn't be more proud of you than I am right now while typing this. I loved all those wonderful pics of you and all the other kids that are over there with you. Anyway, I didn't want you to leave without at least getting one comment from me. I love you, and can't wait to give you a HUGE hug when I see you next. Peace.
Jim
Hey Smudge! I mean Melissa! :) How was the "animal observation" trip? I hope you are all enjoying swapping stories about your experiences. You will all blow people's minds with what you have seen, heard, accomplished and felt when you get home. Great job!
Meliss, I'm so glad you've had this experience, but I'm secretly really excited for you to come home and hug your mom! Boy does she miss you! I'll get up to NH to pig pile you and kiss your beautiful face soon soon soon. I love you and can't even express how proud I am of you. Your heart is so big and open. Becky says hi and we both say, "consider yourself hugged".
Love you, BIG, MEAN IT! Kiki and Becky
Dear Jason and Colleen,
On behalf of myself and Amanda Congratulations! We will see you all when Amanda comes home.
We love all 4 of you :O).
Amanda and her Mommy in Mont Vernon
2 more nigh-nights
Hi Jan,
Sorry we haven't been commenting much the last several days. Things have been a little out sorts here. We had the service for Jen's dad on Saturday. We are all still adjusting to the changes. Greta is seriously on the lookout for you. We all look forward to having you back and hearing about your experiences and God sightings.
We love you, Scott, Jen, Timmy, Amanda and the girls.
Katie:
This is grandma Henderson. I tried to send an email to you several days ago, but Mom said it "got lost somewhere in cyberspace."
So, here I go trying again.
I want you to know that I am VERY impressed with your video work. You do a tremendous matching of music and movement.
WAY TO GO, KATIE:)
With Lots of Love,
Grandma Henderson
Darin:
Good Cookin'!
Mom Henderson
Wow... look at them Rhinos!
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