Contrast of Africa

And there I was. Surrounded by my Africa. Surrounded by its beauty, its harshness, and its ruggedness. This is the Africa I love. This juxtaposition of death and life. This contrast of hardness and inconsistency with awesomeness and spirit.

There I was – window down to the breeze, the scent of the elephants and the dust and the river all mixed together to give the scent of Africa. Waters of beauty looked glassy, reflecting every color of the sunset back to infinity – colors as far as the eye could see. But beneath the waters lurked terrors, things with teeth and survival instincts that should put fear into any thinking person. Long golden grasses bend in rhythm with the wind, masking more lurking beasts. Every amazing thing you see signifies harshness, a reality of life that we want to forget about. Plants with thorns, spiders that bite, snakes with poison, and even flowers that sting. Everything beautiful provides a cover for a creature that would like nothing better than to harm you in protection of itself.

This is the wildness that so many people find invigorating. It is so unlike our sterilized world of clean-cut lines, warning signs and safety nets. This is the real world; the real wild, unadulterated by man’s rules or tamed by firearms.

It’s breathtaking, but it can be breath-crushing. This is the lure of Africa, the call of the wild. Something in us responds to this unknown, this carnivorous otherworld where survival depends on your speed and your quick wits. Without some power outside of myself, I would not last in this world for very long. Without shelter, camaraderie, and protection, I wouldn’t get very far in this wild world after all. Maybe there is a lesson here. Maybe I should think on this some more.

But for now, without digging too deep and thinking too hard, I know this: This is why I view all this beauty and cruelty from my window. As much as I love this wild part of Africa, I’m glad I can participate in it while in the safety and security of my modern-world vehicle.

Trip to Vic Falls and Chobe

Road trip this week - On Tuesday, 7 of us packed up the vehicle and went 6 hours north to Kasane, setting up camp near the Zimbabwe border. ("Luxury" camping would be the proper term as we had a) electricity and b) access to bathrooms with not only running water, but HOT water, though we were sleeping in tents and did some of our own cooking out of doors.) Wednesday we went over the border to Victoria Falls, then spent a couple hours in a local market trading and bargaining, and the guys held a Bible study. Thursday we went into Chobe National Park, catching both sunrise and sunset as we drove around viewing hordes of wildlie (but no cats, much to our disappointment). Friday we loaded back up and drove home to Francistown.

All in all, a very relaxing week, yet we're all a little sore from sitting so much. :) But the beauty of God's creation that we saw? Incomparable.

The Falls were... wet. We got pretty soaked, and it was hard to see through the mist. I don't think I'll ever tire of their immensity and power.

Trading at the market was a fun experience. I brought along a bag of old clothes and shoes, and got several wooden bowls in return. We also went to a local grocery store to pick up some lunch items and I was surprised (again) to see the cash drawers of US currency. Poor Zimbabwe.

Though we weren't truly camping, I really enjoyed the laidback style of our accommodation. Each evening we built a fire, roasted marshmallows over the hot coals, and looked at the countless stars in the vast Africa sky.

Chobe National Park was amazing. It was the first time I had visited this particular park, and we only traveled a very small section of it throughout the day. We saw many elephants, cape buffalo, hippos, crocs, fish eagles,  giraffe, zebra, and others that I am probably not thinking of now. We saw a wide variety of antelope as well, including the elusive nyala, kudu, and sable, as well as the exclusive (to Chobe, at least) puku. So though we saw no cats, I felt that the day was overall satisfying due to the vast numbers of these other animals that we saw. Plus, we got to watch the sun set just past a herd of elephants on the river. This little snapshot straight out of my camera doesn't even do justice to it.

Kinda hard to believe that anywhere in  Botswana could be so lush and green, huh?

Mixed Up

Today is cold and windy and gray. My curtain seems to move by itself as the breeze gusts in around the edges of the window. Everything is overcast and everyone is moving a little slow. If I was not in Botswana and it was about twenty degrees colder, I would expect to see snow coming from the sky at any moment. We are all bundled up inside the house, and will soon be lighting a cheery fire in the living room. I made a delicious peppermint coffee creamer that tastes like a certain season, which brings me to the point of this post.

Where are the carolers? Where are the cookies? Where is the music? WHAT HAPPENED TO CHRISTMAS?

Oh, yes, it really is July, not December. Next year, I'm proposing we hold off on having Christmas when we are melting into a puddle of liquid and save it for a few months when the weather turns cool again. Right now, I just want to go bake a pumpkin pie and light a candle or four. I want to smell fresh pine and peppermint and go sledding. *sigh* I'm so confused... but I'm enjoying this cooler weather while it lasts. I know it will be gone all too soon!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Him?

This week has been so busy. I often feel like I am being pulled in thirteen different directions. Dealing with people's spiritual needs, guests in the house, classes to sit in and pay attention to, and yet still keep up with other responsibilities of our correspondence school and literature needs. All this can pile up over my head and leave me feeling rather overwhelmed.

But then when I sit and take a breath... I remember just how very blessed I am. I remember just what a big God that I serve. I remember how I am part of something that is so much bigger than just me.

He is God to so many people. In history past, He worked through kings and prophets, and sometimes it's hard to remember that He is just as interested in little old me. Books have been filled, hundreds of songs written, and countless sermons preached about Him, and yet when I come to His Word with humble heart, He has something that He wants to teach just for me. We can learn a lot from past examples, stories of other people who have trusted Him. I love quotes and biographies for that very purpose, and yet... God has something just for me. He wants to write my story. Even with all the other things going on in this world, He is interested in me.

I love Him. There's no other way to express it. Thus far in my life, He's led me every step, provided for me faithfully, fulfilled all His promises. I don't expect Him to stop now!