Lions, giraffes, zebras & buffalo, oh my!

Every year, MCM plans for us to go on a safari toward the end of our trip. This is a nice time and beautiful opportunity in which to rest and debrief as well as sort through emotions and experiences before heading home. A couple staff members usually accompany us. This year, Blom & Rayleen, went with us. It was Rayleen's first safari so we had a lot of fun with her!

The safari is something we are all excited for and greatly anticipate for months until we are on site..when things change. Team members often feel guilty about going especially after spending days among immense poverty and with people who live there but have not been able to afford going themselves. Feelings of guilt arise because we are using time and money for ourselves that we could be giving to a ministry. [Remember, all sightseeing expenses are personally funded...no supporter money is used].

Because I have gone to SA with new people each year, I have been on a safari 4 times. It's hard to complain about that, right?! Poor me, I have been dragged on 4 safaris. I've come to see the safari as something very different than the first year. I, too, felt twinges of guilt that first year.

However, I have come to realize that the safari is an important part of the spiritual journey that we embark upon well before we step on/off the plane in South Africa. This is the time we can be swept away and marvel at God's creation. Seeing the sun rise and set over vast expanse filled with incredible free roaming animals is indescribable.

It's also a time for God to be able to reward a faithful servant with rest and quiet messages whispering "well done" and "enjoy this time I've given you for I have put you in this place at this time."

This year, our team closed out our trip with a debrief before leaving the safari site for the airport. Want to see where we went? Visit: www.aquilasafari.com.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20



dusk


pool with the elephants and a drive in close view


Aquila game reserve + our ride


where Susan + I bunked




Danielle + Rayleen


Danielle + Janet on a "pit stop"


Blom and Danielle








baboons we saw on the way to the safari


the part that scares me











ready to go!




"Are we out of the lion's den yet?"


Susan & I were scared to be parked among all the lions, with the vehicle turned OFF