Friday morning, June 1st by Melody and "the Bunny"

Today we left our home in Mafikeng and traveled to the safari lodge at Pilansberg National Park.  Our original tour bus broke so we had a minibus to take us and we hired a U-Haul type trailer for the luggage. 

At first glance, the trailer looked way too small to hold the mountain of luggage we had.  I thought, “Well, we can leave behind some stuff.” and decided which suitcase and clothes were least important to me.  Then I realized, with no small shame, that I was willing to casually discard more belongings than some of our new friends would ever own in a lifetime.

Ron’s organization skills got everything packed eventually.  During the drive on the highway I kept dozing off and would be jolted awake by the group yelling, “Monkeys!!!” every time a group of our little primate friends ran across the street.  Later we got up close and personal with a troop of baboons (Patsy will tell you more about that).

I get to tell you about some of our social faux pas.  The Setswana word for “hello” is “dumela” (Do-MAY-lah).  When I first met the deputy headman, Mr. Monere, he greeted me with “dumela ma” and I thought this must be some local variation so I repeated it back to him and he started laughing hysterically.  Later I asked a local pastor’s wife what I said.  She told me “dumela ma” means “hello, mother” it’s the way they say “ma’am”.  So I “ma’amed” Mr. Monere.

Jerry ordered coffee at a roadside stand.  Here they serve coffee with milk, not cream - and it’s called “white coffee”.  So Jerry said, “I’d like a coffee” and the woman said “Do you want hot milk?” and Jerry said “No, I want coffee.” And she said “Yes, do you want hot milk?” and Jerry again said “No, I want coffee.” And this went on for some time until someone who understood “American” put an end to it.

So far all our social confusion and “Americanisms” have been met with humor and understanding.  We are finding South Africans to be friendly and patient.  Aunt Elize told me about the VBS kids - “They will remember these days forever”.  So will I!

Friday afternoon , June 1st by Patsy

  Shortly after our arrival to Kwa Maritane Resort (Kwah Mar-ee-TAH-nay - The Place of the Rock), we sat down to lunch.  I could not believe my eyes as I watched zebras in the distance.  It was amazing to actually witness a baby zebra nursing.  We settled into our rooms after lunch and shortly after that we set off for the safari.  We climbed in the large jeep and we were on our way (I could have used a step stool).  I don’t think any of us knew what to expect. 

The first thing we came across was more zebra and shortly after that we saw warthogs, wildebeests, and gazelle.  One of the most exciting sightings for me was the monkeys.  There was a group of them just hanging out with their babies.  There were rhinos, giraffes, and even a herd of elephants in the distance.  We also saw an interesting creature called the dung beetle; this was a large beetle that rolled Rhino dung away for beetle shelter.  As gross as a beetle rolling dung three times its size sounds, it was an amazing sight.  I felt like I was in Wild Kingdom!

The most amazing observation of all was that of a leopard, nobody on the safari could believe it.  It was as if it gracefully crossed the road just for us, what a truly beautiful animal.  We were told by Mike and Michelle that this was a very rare sighting, in fact their first.  As we headed back toward the lodge, we gazed at a breathtaking sunset and then were followed by an orange full moon.  Everything was just so beautiful out there. 

As I reflect on the past week, I will always remember the welcoming smiles and hugs I received.  I will never forget the first little arm that wrapped through mine, and I will never forget the cheers of little voices as our bus passed by a group of children.  These and so many other memories will forever be with me.  South Africa is a beautiful country and I know that I will return.  Before I left for this trip, Neil Gatten said I would see God’s Glory…he was most certainly right!