South Luangwa National Park Zambia

The feelings stirred up just before going on safari reminds me of Christmas Eve as a child..knowing you're going to see good things, maybe amazing things and make great memories with your family.

One of the most famous national parks in Zambia and reportedly where the walking safari started is South Luangwa on the banks of the Luangwa River.

We watched many a video taken in the park before we left for the trip as well as a few taken by people staying in Crocvalley Camp.

Being the middle of the dry season the animals congregating closer to the river means more sightings.

Our first day consisted of us joining folks with the group named Intrepid for both a morning and afternoon/evening game drive. 

Fritz enjoyed getting to chat with new folks.

We headed out just after 6 a.m. stopping during the short 5 minute drive to the park gate for pictures of a giraffe and baby and the sunrise.

 A bit chilly everyone wore jackets and some brought blankets for the drive.

Our first stop in the park was to watch a small group of male elephants cross the river back into the park. Right after exiting the river they bathed themselves with dust for protection from biting flies. 

The next exciting stop was to see a leopard resting on the ground with a fresh kill above in the tree. 

Because of many visitors we stayed only a few minutes before moving on. 

South Luangwa is known for having one of the world's highest concentrations of leopards in the world 

Five lionesses along the river who moved into the brush shortly after we arrived provided another breathtaking moment. 

Our Creator God certainly loves diversity. 

We saw the park's unique Thornicroft's giraffes that have a darker, star-like spots.

 Also new to us were Crawshay's zebras which have narrow sharp black-white stripes that cover the belly and legs.

Lots of antelopes: puku, impala, greater kudu, bushbuck and waterbucks. As well as warthogs, mongoose, squirrels, monkeys, baboons, and lots of kinds of birds. 

Where we stayed.

With the river waters receding due to the dry season hippos and crocodiles were visible at all times from our camp as well as in the many lagoons in the park.

After a break in the hottest part of the day back at camp we were ready to head out again but three elephants were walking through the tent area and so we needed to wait so that folks could get what they needed for the drive.

We also saw monkeys being careful not to leave food or belongs unwatched. Baboons and puku roamed the area with plenty of hippos and crocodiles to watch just down a steep bank to the river. 

After a vote we headed not back to the leopard with the kill but further into the park where lions had taken down a buffalo. 

After a bit of very bumpy off roading we saw them- after a time we saw a couple of the male lions resting, a couple of the lionesses feeding, and spotted hyena and many vultures and Malabo storks waiting for their turn. 

After a beautiful sunset we headed back and caught a glimpse of a small cat-like carnivore, the large spotted genet. 

Using a red-filtered light we quietly watched a leopard creeping up on a small batch of impala...sadly not all of the vehicles were as considerate as our driver Paul. 

Bright lights scared the impala away and the leopard walked away between the vehicles and right beside where Cory was sitting. Beautiful, powerful animals. 

The following day we were again up early and this time spent the day exploring on our own. 

We headed further south than the day before seeing buffalo and ground hornbills, along with many of the animals from the day before.  

We again returned to the park in the late afternoon returning to the location where the leopard had the kill. 

Taking our place in line with the other vehicles we were able to see the leopard now resting up in the tree. 

What a good couple of days even though we still haven't seen African wild dogs in the wild, just one sad one in the Lusaka zoo. 

Guess we'll just have to continue to visit national parks to try to see them.

I'm so thankful for this way of connecting with nature. 

Our God is amazing. I can't wait to see the new world, a world not suffering from the consequences of sin and evil. A world that is as this one should have been. A world without fear. 

August Trip to Eastern Zambia. Lots of photos.

We left early on Friday morning with Rev. Samson driving and his brother joining us as far as Lusaka.

This meant that Cory would only need to drive about half way to Nyimba where we would spend the night. 

We started off early at 5:40 a.m. which allowed us to be through Lusaka before noon. 

We stopped in Chongwe to pick up some lunch from the grocery store and continued on our way. 

Meals on the road tend to consist of meat hand pies, fried chicken and fries, sometimes small pizzas, chips, cookies, apples or tangerines. 

We also travel with a large 5 gallon jug of water. 

Bridge over the Luangwa River. 

We saw large rock formations, drove through mountains and crossed the big bridge over the Luangwa River.

 Thankfully we arrived in Nyimba before sunset. The TVs didn't work in either room but the beds and rooms were clean, the area quiet, and the rooms came with breakfast for two. 

The next morning having added on a third breakfast we headed out after eggs, sausage, toast, fries, coleslaw and tea. 

Petauke Wesleyan Church

We stopped in Petauke meeting the pastor at the grocery store and then he took us to the church. 

We spent a bit of time talking with 3 of the pastors for the church and praying with them. After loading up again with food and gas we headed east to Katete. 

During this leg of the trip we saw smoke staring to billow ahead of us and soon came to an overturned fuel tanker.  [picture at end]

A few people stood close by and we decided to rapidly pass- feeling the intense heat as we did.

A little ways down the road we turned for pictures only to see several small explosions as the whole truck went up in flames. 

We are so very thankful that we weren't a few minutes earlier nor later as it would have delayed our next meeting and travels. 

In Katete we picked up Pastor Rodwell and drove a little ways to his home where we met his wife. 

A short visit hearing about the ministries and enjoying tea before heading onwards.

 He overseas five churches, the furthest one takes 3 hours either on a taxi or motorcycle to visit. 

Now we were heading to the famous South Luangwa National Park. 

Normally the Waze app does pretty good but I missed that 'she' had changed our route..so we took a narrow, bumpy dirt road north which only added thankfully about 20 minutes on our time line. 

Once back on the paved road the deep potholes slowed us up significantly. 

We passed over a mountain pass into the Luangwa valley. After a couple false turns quickly corrected we found the signs for Crocvalley Camp shortly after the sun set.

We had not pushed for confirmation of our tents...thankfully the family room was open and provided for us at the tent price, 1/2 of the normal price for the family chalet. 

There was still room on the morning and afternoon/night game drives as well.  [I'll do a separate post on the accommodations and park]

On our return trip we were delayed by a group of about 15 vehicles full of folks celebrating the reelection of President H.

 They would not let anyone pass going in the same direction as they were. 

Thankfully When we came to a T in the road we parted ways. 

We also stopped for a bit of shopping early on at an African Textile shop and a shop that makes jewelry out of snares and supports anti-poaching.  

This time we stayed on pavement and traveled further east to Chipata where we met Rev. Royd and his wife touring the church, school, and their tomato gardens. 

We enjoyed our short time together and prayer. 

After loading up with food, water, and gas we started back west. 

A second overnight in Nyimba was followed by an overnight in Lusaka so that shopping could be done.

Shopping: trees, plants, food, DAPP stores for second hand clothing, a pharmacy for dog medication.

When we were almost back to the turnoff at Pemba we saw in the headlights a full grown cow and calf in the middle of the road dead. 

A car had pulled over and a man was helping his wife sit by the side of the road. 

We pulled over to see if we could help. 

Using a bit of our water we tried to flush out her eyes because she complained of glass being in them. I thought I saw the glimmer of glass with my phone light but hard to tell. 

So I advised her not to move her eyes around at all until the hospital staff could examine her. After praying with her we headed on our way.

Special treatment-inside

I'm so very thankful that Cory is a great cautious driver. Over 1,150 miles traveled over six days safely. Thankful to be home. 

The truck we saw on fire.

Pastor Royd's tomato plants

Maroon Mongoose-jewlery from snares

God's provision. Piper, my first vehicle.

 Heading into medical school and knowing that following the first two years in Lansing at Michigan State College of Human Medicine I would need a 4-wheel drive for the remaining time training in the Upper Peninsula I started to pray about a vehicle.

Now let it be known that about the only shopping I look forward to includes: books, antiques, and second hand stores. Car shopping was a daunting thought.

Dad and I would look around some of the dealer car lots after hours so not to interact with any sale's people as well as look though the free car sale's flyers that Mom kept brining home.

Dad soon remarked that I would need to 'take some initiative', words that he would be reminded of later. 

Then we saw it, a promising ad with a location that Mom kind of knew how to drive to [this is before GPS].

Dad couldn't go with us so as we started the drive we talked about how we would know if this was the truck for me. We decided on a couple of items based on my Mom's upbringing that would be positive signs. 1] Regular oil changes 2] my grandpa always covered the floor of his new cars to protect the original carpet. 3] mine not a deal breaker but a good radio would be a plus. 

Later that day we arrived home and as soon as we saw my Dad, he asked how the trip turned out.

Well we bought the truck. "Did you test drive it?" "No we didn't have to because the carpet was protected and the oil regularly changed."

We had managed to surprise him by 'taking initiative'. 

The nice lady who showed us the Dodge Ram Charger explained that it had been her husband's 'baby' and the only reason he was selling it was because he had upgraded. 

Piper,  named after the author of the most influential book of my childhood 'The Little Engine that Could' was pretty blue colors and could surround one with wonderfully clear music from the Pioneer radio/cassette player.

As Mom was writing out the check, the lady answered the phone responding to the caller with the information that the truck had been sold. Our family mechanic confirmed that Piper was a good deal.

Other than sliding into a ditch from black ice once and freezing the doors shut in the UP winter, Piper served me well. 

I loved the feel of being surrounded by that big truck, pulling myself up into the driver's seat came with a feeling of power. Piper felt a bit too big after sliding on the driver's side into the ditch on the ice when I realized even with standing on the window and reaching over my head I couldn't open the passenger door and pull myself up and out. Thankfully a good samaritan rapidly stopped and helped me out. Being only a few miles from home my folks picked me up shortly after I phoned them. 

A big truck I could use to move myself to the UP. I rarely filled up the 25 gallon gas tank due to the cost but Dad and Mom blessed me occasionally by doing so.

Driving Piper and the memories remind me of the Lord's provision and His promise to provide what we need. He's never surprised. He's faithful. 

Sadly I don't have any pictures of myself and Piper..

Life Update.

Small corn sheller in background.

Looking back I realize that for those not following the Thede Seed over on Epistle I'm tardy writing this update. I hope you've enjoyed the last posts on how the Lord led and provided for us. 

So since mid-May the harvest has been completed and all the project corn shelled in one day by a hired machine. 

Weeds were more of a problem this year due to the good rains. Oxen were too slow getting many fields planted, so the weeds were too tall to be covered during plowing and planting and kept growing. Next year we look forward to using our own oxen instead of waiting for the neighbors to have free time for hire.

Winnowing soybean after beating piles of the plants
 with a stick. Sacks of corn on the cob can be beaten
 to shell it and then winnowed the same way.

The soybeans required extra hired help to weed and the weeds still caused reduced yield. The sunflower crop was damaged by cattle so it mostly failed. To avoid the neighbors livestock problem next year, production will be shifted to fields closer to the mission and the farther fields will be rented. The cattle problem was not anticipated to be so serious, also damaging the corn and soybeans. The reason is the offending families are all related so enforcement by the local headman has been hindered and the families even complain about cattle damage from eachother. 

Nam Doc Mai, one of our new mango varieties
blooming. Still small to allow fruiting but providing budwood.

The students harvested the small soybean yield from the orchard. It mostly failed due to using old seed, dry weather after planting, bird pests, some rabbit damage and weeds. Each problem magnified the next.  

The fruit trees are doing great with irrigation, many growing vigorously even now in our cool dry winter.

Fritz and I finished up 9th grade and took a few days break before slowly starting on our 10th grade work.

Pummelo, like a thick peel, non-bitter grapefruit.

July 18, we celebrated with Jembo Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College their 59th graduation sending out seven married couples and six single men into full time service. That same week the Jembo Wesleyan Church celebrated Pastor Paul's serving Jembo nearly 7 years. We join the church in praying for a new pastor as Pastor Paul is now serving in Kalomo.

Dry season means few clouds, more dust, and at the start cooler temperatures. As we head into August the temperatures are already climbing. The orchards are benefitting this year from the sunny days and irrigation project allowing continued growth and healing from the grafting that Cory did at the end of rainy season.

Mango still growing well with
beautiful new leaves in winter.

Anna moved from California back to Michigan in mid-June by driving across the country with Cory's dad who flew out to accompany her. She's studying for the Universal Bar exam that she will take July 28 and 29. We join her in praying for the Lord's direction for her next steps in applying for a new job.

Kris' mom continues to recover after having her left shoulder replaced in June. We are very thankful that both Eli and now Anna help her out when needed.

A puppy joined the agricultural project two weeks ago. At this time Teeg is putting on weight, learning the campus and barks at strangers and cattle on the campus. Hopefully in time he will also chase any monkeys that wander into the orchards.

African Weslean University

We enjoyed a weekend in Livingstone in early June. On the way we stopped at the new African Wesleyan University College and Dr. Smith gave us a tour. We were joined by a GP friend and together visited the rhinos at the national park, a couple restaurants, then went shopping before taking her to the airport. 

A sad note to add concerns the unexpected death of our niece Mical in July. Thankfully Eli and Anna represented the family but it was/is a hard time to be away from family. Such losses remind us to appreciate every day as a precious gift from God. Don't delay or put off telling people you love them: connecting, forgiving, confessing, apologizing, or encouraging. Make a difference today. Point folks to Jesus and let them know you care. 

Recent Haiti Photos

Kids Clubs are doing well. Jean Pierre recieved a welcome celebration this spring for his return to Fauche.

Limbe Kids Club

Delice, The house is full with teachers.

Native pine

Lychee

Macadamia

Mango

Avocado