Safari #5

This past trip to South Africa marked my 5th safari. I get it, one cannot complain about the burden of having gone on 5 safaris. However, it can get redundant....and expensive. I was less than excited to go but I knew it was only fair to go since Candice (my travel partner) had not been. When you visit Africa, you have to do a safari, right?

I decided to try and do things differently. When I boarded the vehicle, I simply whispered a quick prayer to asked to see the same safari through different eyes this year. Immediately, I felt a whisper "Look for me and you'll find me."

As we drove and saw all of the animals that I have seen year after year (and trust me, I've watched the baby rhinos while still "inside" and then grow), I began to recognize something about each one. A word came to mind and I was mesmerized by each one as if I were seeing it for the first time.

creative

breathtaking 

gentle 

intentional

majestic

motherly 

new [life]

meticulous 

relational 

protective

steady 

underestimated 

vast

strong

timeless

unique

peaceful 

These were the major ones that came to mind. I then realized that all our aspects of who God is. 

Then, I was reminded of Romans 1:20:

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.

Thankful for experiencing this safari with new eyes,
Danielle 

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