Will need to fill in the gaps here...ah!

Well...in just a couple of hours, I'll be together with Mom and Dad (and Mary!!! -who flew in Tuesday night) heading off for four nights in Kruger.  Tonight will be Satara, then further north to Shingwedzi, then beyond to Punda Maria and then south a bit to Mopane and then on down and out to White River to stay the night. It's going to be a whirlwind trip, but what a treat for the opportunity to go to the northern part of the Park! I love to see the changes in landscape...from the central plains, to the Mopane trees stretching as far as the eye can see, to the giant sycamore figs and jackalberry trees along the Limpopo and Levhuvhu Rivers.

I am sorry to be leaving the Wildlife College though... it's been a lovely respite for me and I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends - everyone here has been so welcoming. It seems wrong to leave so soon!

I'll fill in the gaps here with more info... I've yet to share about the flying speed bump...the Shangaan dancers, going to Mochuchi Primary School, etc. More when I get back to Mozambique...

Salani kahle....stay well!!!

Well, it's one of those pleasantly mild African winter evenings...the half moon is shining brightly and the stars are ever so clear! I'm trying to savour each and every moment I have. Last night, I was delighted to fall asleep listening to the sound of a white-faced owl (Here are some clips if you want to listen!). It's been very quiet most evenings...I was hoping to hear lion or hyena, but so far, nothing...or at least I'm sleeping through it.

Yesterday (Sunday), I slept in a wee bit later than usual, was at breakfast by 8AM or so and was a bit disappointed to discover that there was no church service after all... I guess because of the graduation on Friday and so many students leaving, they weren't having it after all. I wandered around the classrooms, just in case it was being held (I asked a number of students and they seemed to know nothing about it -- even though there was a flyer up on doors, notice boards, etc.). Oh well. Shame. I asked some staff folks about where they go to church (they do, but on weekends when they go back home)...

I was debating over going to spend some time reading my Bible in my room or walking the perimeter fence around the campus, when I found  out that Vali (the Canadian library volunteer) in the library so I went in and worked a bit on the display (I figured I better fit it in then since she was going to close the library at noon).

After she closed up shop, I wandered back to my room to read my Bible a bit and spend some time with God. After that, I did go and walk the perimeter (about 2.4km)...saw lots of birds, giraffe, impala and wildebeest. It was lovely!

Life is very relaxed and quiet here, something I've definitely needed -- and to be cut off from cellphones, TV, and internet (except for in here in the computer lab) is definitely a good thing, since I've been so used to going, going, going! I've needed this. Just the same though, I feel a little at a loss of what to do sometimes... I guess I was hoping to really be put to work and feel like I've done something worthwhile to help. I am painting this display for the library's 'realia' (collection of bones, skulls, nests, etc.), but it's not really 'work' if you know what I mean. I've been on three game drives so far, which has been absolutely lovely!!! But I feel kinda guilty that I'm having more fun with that, then working or volunteering, which was what I came here to do. I'm trying to take it all in stride, as an unexpecting blessing -- a time to just relax and enjoy this place. People are so friendly and nice here...everyone says hi and when they ask how you are, they mean it. It's been nice to make some new friends -- a shame to leave them so soon though! 
Yesterday afternoon, I went on a gamedrive, a lady named Sandy was driving a couple of her friends around and Matt hopped in along with some other folks. We were out for several hours, saw rhinos with babies, stopped for lots of birds (especially raptors, saw a couple brown snake eagles, a bateleur, a couple others we weren't able to identify in time), saw a gorgeous kudu bull, and the other usual folks (impala, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra...). We stopped at a waterhole at sunset and got out of the vehicle to wanderdown to the water's edge to look at tracks...pretty cool! There wasn't much there aside from white rhino and impala tracks.


We continued on our way and it got dark quickly -- always does in Africa! Sandy was having trouble changing gears and it soon became evident, after stopping to look at another raptor, that the clutch was stuck and she was having trouble even getting into gear. Thankfully one of the guys was familiar with landrovers and he jumped down to take a look. They managed to get it going but could not change the gears...we were stuck in 3rd. We were still several kilometers away from the campus so we tried to go the shortest route possible, which included 7kms along the boundary fence (heading parallel to the tar road going to Orpen). Sandy handed me the spotlight, as I was sitting directly behind her so I dutifully shone it back and forth --- only problem was that we couldn't stop! (We might not get it started again) We bumped along the road, saw several bushbabies in the trees, wildebeest, zebra and impala by spotlight...had a couple close calls with scrub hare, nightjars and a couple red-crest korhaans that didn't want to get out of the way, but thankfully everything moved out of the way in time to let us through (thankfully no rhino or ellies in the way either!!).

They managed to get the landrover into 4th gear, so we were going a bit faster, but it made for a really bumping ride, driving along the perimeter fence!! There were several steep (and bumpy!) descents down into dry streambeds and equally bumpy ascents too! We took it all in stride though...I tried to shine the spotlight on up ahead so that we could anticipate what was ahead -- it really felt like the bush-version of a roller coaster! Anyway, we eventually made it back and pulled up in front of reception (which is where the poor vehicle sat until this morning, until it was taken away to be repaired). Oh well...it all made for a memorable experience!

After the drive, I wandered over to the volunteer/staff housing area to join the volunteers having a farewell braai for one of the guys (yesterday morning he set off for the Kalahari, his new employment). I tried to make myself useful, helping to get dinner ready...a bunch of us sat around the fire, warming our feet and listening to stories...the guy who was leaving is a real story-teller and had us all laughing. It's clear that he will be missed! It was nice evening, all around and I felt welcomed into the bunch.

On a slightly lower-note, I seem to be fighting a cold or something. This evening I'm feeling much better, but I get this tickle in my throat and cannot stop coughing. The thatched apartment I'm in has just a screen in a section of the thatched roof (architectural design) which would normally be quite lovely, but because it was so cold the last few nights, it's been a bit drafty. I've been wrapping my capulana around my neck and face and that does seem to help (my blankets are very nice and warm). I've also been drinking a couple cups of tea in the mornings... most mornings they serve hot porridge which is delicious! 
I've not even started to recount today's activities... so I think I'll leave them for tomorrow. To be continued...

Okay...so I've skipped a week in between (will try to go back later and fill in the gaps on the Gaza trip, etc. -- every time I come over to Africa, I realize how technology isn't the highest priority here)...

So here I am at the Southern African Wildlife College and thoroughly enjoying myself (can't post any photos at present, those will have to come later). Am sitting here in the computer lab...feeling sleepy, but excited -- and Mum, you are right, the nervousness is wearing off! Just had a good meal of squash, pasta and meat/gravy and salad (the vuswa was finished, shame!).


Thursday morning my parents and I set off around 6am from Maputo and made it up here to the college around 2pm or so. It was interesting to drive up the R40 and see how once-familiar towns and villages (and landscapes!) have changed. In some cases they were so developed, I doubt I'd have recognized them! 
We took a turn around the old Arthurseat mission, where I grew up in the '80's. It's in a pretty sorry state now. Especially our house....was rather heartbreaking as we reminisced of what it used to be like when we were there.
We continued on down the R40, made a brief stop in at the Acornhoek Pick-n-Pay for some AA batteries and then it was on to the college. Mom and Dad stayed just along for me to meet up with someone to take me on to my little apartment, and they headed on back to Maputo (a long trek ahead of them, shame!).

The people here at the college are so friendly and as I was given a tour and introduced to folks, the response was "what?! Just one week?!" I got a tour of the place right after sticking my stuff in my apartment, on the end of a thatched building of about 6 apartments. Mine is #17 "Nyika". It has 2 beds, a little fridge, a nice little bathroom and a spacious, lovely thatched roof. I took the bed by the window and opened it a bit (just so I can hopefully hear lion and hyena during the nights --nothing yet).

I digress...after sticking my bags in there, Blondie, the lady showing me around, took me over to the library - a small but really pleasant place - and I met the volunteers (one from Canada and an assistant to her from Switzerland). They both seem really nice - one thing they asked me to is set up a display in the library for their 'realia' (nests, skulls, 'pickled reptiles', etc.) as it is largely an empty space they'd like to have filled (they asked the right person). I  reported for duty around 8:00AM yesterday (Friday) and got started on it. This coming Monday I'll be going out with Matt (who is responsible for community outreach) to Welwierdend to do some outreach and it sounds like this afternoon (Sat.) there might be a game drive I can join (I got to go on one on Thursday and Friday afternoons!!).

One of the longer-term volunteers is leaving tomorrow so on Thursday, everyone (the staff, that is) went out for a "farewell game drive" and since someone decided they weren't going after all, there was room for me to come along. We took two game drive vehicles, each with a tray of sandwiches and other appetizers and coolers full of cooldrinks. We drove in a big meandering circle around the camp -- didn't see TOO much, impala, warthog and zebra. We pulled up near a herd of wildebeest and got out to have our snack and drings. The administrator folks made a little speech, thanking the guy for all he's done the past year (sounds like he's dating the volunteer in the library--the gal from Canada. He's moving to the Kalahari and it sounds like next year, she'll be following him out that way).

Anyway, as we were milling around, chatting, I greeted the guy who had been sitting in front me in the vehicle. He introduced himself as George Kanjere....we got talking and lo and behold, he's a NAZARENE PASTOR!!! Lebowa something-or-other Church of the Nazarene. He doesn't work here, but his wife Miriam does. He was "adopted" by fellow Nazarene missionaries and was so excited that I knew them too. I was able to give him their daughter's email address --so he can surprise her (they'd all lost contact long, long ago). A number of the folks it seems attend that Church. Pretty cool!!! There is, I discovered, an Interdenominational Church here on Sundays in one of the classrooms, from 9 - 11, so I think I'll maybe just attend that tomorrow.

Anyway, after speeches and snacking, we hopped back in the vehicles to complete the circuit around back to the campus, when we came up about 5-6 elephant bulls, one quite impressive. We stopped and watched a while before moving on and heading back to campus. Once back, I finally met Matt-- he'd just gotten back a short time before and promised to meet up with me for dinner. I was a little at a loss of what to do next, so I just wandered around a little and went on back to my little apartment, unpacked a few things and got settled. Dinner was at 6pm at the cafeteria but it was only just past 5pm, so I stepped back out to wander. A lady named Nel, who I'd met just a briefly during the tour around, passed by me and then called back at me to see if I wanted to go for a walk. We walked about a third of the fence perimeter. Didn't see much, but it was beautiful, especially the sunset!! (Yes, Dad, I got some sunset shots of those mountains!!) It got dark pretty quickly and we headed back towards the buildings. Nel is here to recruit learners and teach about 11-12 people from the surrounding area (and as far afield as Phalaborwa) --it's not conservation, but microfinance. She's a city gal (lives in Joburg) and has been here just about 2 weeks, so still rather new here herself. We had a lovely chat while walking around. She showed me a few more areas around campus.

There was quite a line for dinner as the field ranger trainees were having a braai --though I didn't see it happening, actually-- Nel went to the boma area (for faculty and visiting lecturer folks). Matt met up with me and we got into line with the rest of the students at the dining hall. Dinner was very good, Matt and I sat with one of the lecturers (I forget his name, ah! But he teaches environmental ethics, soil erosion, bush fire management, etc.). He's in the midst of grading cumulative exams and other assignments (in total about 400 tests, ugh!). We had an interesting chat....he was telling us all about the poaching going on in Kruger from Mozambique (from Nwanedzi down all the way to Crocodile). According to him, people in Moz are provided with weapons and even the police are in on it. They hide out along the Lebombos in late afternoon, seeking out rhino, shoot them and then wait until dusk to go in and retrieve them. He shared about an instance where SA police and rangers were onto some poachers and when they got close, they heard a whirring sound and a huge transport helicopter emerged from behind a kopjie. The SA folks had to retreat, they were no match. Another recent instance was a whole herd of buffalo that ended up in no-man's land (a 500 meter strip between SA and Moz). Apparently the Moz. police managed to get them over onto the Mozambique side, where they were picked off one by one. So obviously poaching is still a big thing. Shame. All interesting stuff though...I'm taking it all in.

Folks are surprised when I share my background with them and in some cases, their manner changes towards me somewhat --particularly when I shared about growing up nearby and spending a year at Drakensig. I've been practicing my  Zulu on several people --  it gives them a good laugh and they have pronounced me good (phew!!). I've forgotten a lot though, so need to continue to practice!

I've no TV, computer or cell phone at all, so it has been very quiet -- doing me lots of good, I think!!
Breakfast is from 7-8am and I have my meals in the cafeteria with the field ranger trainees...they come from all over South Africa, so it has been interesting to sit and talk to them during meals. Lunch is 12 to 1, with a line going out the door if you arrive spot on at 12 (better to come early or a bit later).

Yesterday, the Field Ranger trainees graduated and I was asked to help photograph the ceremony. It was interesting to watch them do their drills on the soccer field and then to stand in and watch the ceremony in the dininghall afterwards. Last night they were up until the wee hours in the Bush Pub, playing music, dancing and drinking. I went to my apartment fairly early on (just after dinner) as I wasn't feeling too well (sore throat -beginnings of a cold?!), but I wrapped up snug on my bed and enjoyed reading my book for a while before turning the lights off early.

There's not been much to do around here today...being Saturday and after graduation, the place is very quiet. Some students are new (just completing their first week), but they are mostly in classes or out doing field training, so the campus buildings are fairly quiet. The resource center is closed today, so I wasn't sure what to do with myself -- felt a bit guilty for running off on a later afternoon game drive yesterday afternoon (Matt asked me and I couldn't resist! (We had two separate sightings of white rhino!!)), so I felt like I should probably be doing some work and 'earning my keep'. Met an American lady this morning at breakfast who is a field biologist studying Samango monkeys a ways from here. I ended up giving her an impromptu tour of the campus. She's actually a missionary too -- pretty cool! Had a lovely time chatting with her and just about the time that I was at a loss of what to do next, one of the long-term volunteers came along and I ended up being shown the staff residential area and helping her clean up the shared staff kitchen. We chopped up onions so she could make onion chutney later. The other volunteers popped in and out, one was taking his final exam for FGASA (Field Guide Assoc. of SA), which was interesting to listen to (what little bits I heard). I had a nice time getting to know them better. At noon I wandered off to lunch and well...now here I am. I hear there is a game drive at 3pm, so I'll see if I can hop on there (if there is a space). I'll bundle up as it's noticeably cooler today, with a stiff wind and cloudy skies. I'm a little worried about my sore throat, but hopefully it won't get too much worse.

Anyway...that's it for now. Sorry no photos yet....I cannot upload them from my memory card onto these computers, so I'll save the photos for when I'm back in Mozambique again.

Weekend trip to Gaza

Weeks before my trip, Mom and Dad had informed me that we were going to travel up into Gaza Province as they had been invited to the installation of a new pastor up in the tiny town of Mavengane, just south of the slightly larger town of Manjacaze. Umfundisi Sitoe (pronounced "Sitoy") recently graduated and returned to his home near Manjacaze. The Mavengane Church of the Nazarene invited him to serve as their pastor.

I was SO excited for the opportunity to travel up into Gaza again! My first trip up into Gaza was years ago, back in 1993 when the Mozambican government handed over the old Nazarene mission station, Tavane, back to the Church (FRELIMO, the governing political party had taken over the mission and used it as a barracks during the civil war years). I will readily confess that I have a really romanticized view of Gaza. Please don't get me wrong though, I know the reality of it too -- I've stayed up there, slept on the ground, bathed with freezing cold water at 5am out of a basin and teetered precariously over a pit toilet. Yet...this is in many ways still the old Africa and where the Church of the Nazarene first entered Mozambique back in 1922 and I confess images of donkey carts, ox wagons and the stories of the early missionaries fill my mind. 

Gaza - late afternoon - floodplains near the Limpopo River.

Gaza is beautiful country and the landscape almost has its own personality. The soil is generally sandy (well, nearer to the ocean) and the landscape is filled with cashew trees, large, lush trees with green and orange leaves. Dotted in and amongst those are Marula trees and Masala bushes, bearing their own delicious fruit.  Tucked away in among the trees are neat little homesteads, generally several mud or grass huts, with a small granary or two, the sandy area that serves as living area/kitchen is always impeccably swept clean and there might be a couple of ducks waddling through. People are friendly and often look up from their work in their 'machambas' (gardens) to wave as you drive past.

The roads are still largely sand -- or dark red soil brought in, which the hopes of it being more compact than the deep sand. Driving along these roads, one occasionally passed the crumbling remains of an old Portuguese 'fazenda' (farm/ranch) or store. These ghostly, melancholy buildings are relics of a by-gone time, when Portugal was in control of the country and much of the land nearer the coast was carved into large farms. Most are abandoned, though sometimes they've been turned into a shop or home. I know there was extreme persecution and racism at that time, part of me wonders what these buildings must have looked like in their prime.

I could go on and on talking about Gaza, but I'll stick to our trip. The plan was to drive from Maputo early on Saturday morning, heading north to Xai-xai and beyond that, to then turn off on a road heading north-west so that we would reach Mavengane, just south of Manjacaze, for the installation service. Following that, we would drop off some of the students we were bringing along, so that they could visit family. We would then drive on back to Xai-xai to spend the night. The next morning, Sunday, we would drive back to Manjacaze and then take a road north-east, up to Chicuatso, a village (if it can even be called that!) where one of the former Seminary students was pastoring, along with his family. Following the service and lunch there, we were to head south, picking up one more student in Chibuto and heading on back to Maputo.

Here's a map of our travels (you'll have to click on it to see the whole thing)

 More to follow tomorrow....   ;o)

First days at the Seminary...

Well, here it is,  11:15pm here on Sunday night and I'm just settling into bed. We arrived home about 8pm or so after a weekend trip up into Gaza Province, but more about that a bit later... tomorrow, perhaps, when I'm more awake. Needless to say, it was a lovely trip! Will plan to post photos tomorrow.

Anyway, just wanted to catch up on the last few days --before I launch into great detail about our trip. Already, I'm finding that the days are slipping by like sand through my fingers. I wish I could slow time down --freeze it even-- for the rest of the world so that I be able to take everything in to my heart's content.

Thursday and Friday were spent on campus -- I've still not made it into Maputo city yet!! I was given some odd jobs to do, such as preparing various items for sale at the bookstore. I was shown a collection of well-used hymnals that I need to rebind (probably this week) and was asked to do several other things, also for the week ahead. 

I spent quite a bit of time wandering around the campus, chatting with folks. Of course, the only problem is that I'm on holiday and they are not! That will change, once I'm put to work too, ha!  But it has been so nice just chatting with folks, catching up and laughing together. Meeting old friends and making new ones.

There are a number of changes on campus. Most noticeable is the guesthouse, across the way from our driveway, it's less than 4 years old, but looks like it has been here for a while now. There is also a "cantina" (tuck shop)  further down, nearer the campus. It's actually in a huge metal container that forms the side of the campus workshop/storage shed. It has a window and counter, and two of the ladies from the dining hall, Mama Lidia and Mama Lina, work to manage it. They sell a variety of things, including coffee cakes, freshly baked the night before by Mom. You can buy a slice for real cheap -- which high-school students do -- and the proceeds go towards the seminary.  From what I can tell, it's in high demand!

Speaking of high school students, that is the other big change on campus-- there is a high school here now too! The very first building on the campus houses both the Africa-Lusophone Field Office for the Church of the Nazarene, but it also houses the high school with 6 large classrooms. It is ideal for Seminary students who want to finish their high school degree in addition to Seminary classes. There is also, I discovered, a new Catholic primary school just across from the Seminary main entrance, so the Seminary students' children are able to attend there - it can't get more convenient than that!

There are also the beginnings of a basketball court, the cement foundations laid out and poured by a Work and Witness team not so long ago. It still needs hoops added, but will be a welcome place for the single students who live in the dorm close by.

The campus is looking beautiful, trees are growing and flowers are blooming. One of the things I love here is that we have flowers blooming all year round - different kinds perhaps, but whether it is winter or summer, there are flowers and leaves and well... color!  I awaken to birdsong here in the mornings too! I need to start putting my bird sighting list together too.... there are a good number of birds here on the campus, which is somewhat surprising since there are so many people, but I think the campus serves as a haven for them. Each day I discover new species either in the bird bath or perched in the trees around. It's lovely!!!

Our house...

the "new" guesthouse

Spent an hour or so in the library with Mama Uate and Papa Lisone

Sérgio and Mama Lidia at the Cantina.

Backyard Sunset through the Cashew and thorn tree leaves.

No matter the season, there are always flowers blooming here...

First Day Back in Africa...

Here I am at the end of my first full day back in Mozambique. Hard to believe a whole day has gone by - they are much shorter here of course as it's winter time. I've been walking around in a skirt and t-shirt with flip flops and everyone else is bundled up - pretty funny. It was beautiful weather out today though.

The journey was a good one, and for the most part was pretty uneventful. The Boston flight left on time and I found my second flight in D.C. with no problems and time to spare. The 17 hour flight was rather tedious and almost unbearably long. I did have nice "row-mates" to talk to though, so that helped the time go by. The first one was flying as far as Dakar, Senegal. A guy from Texas now living in DC and working for the World Bank, he was going to their West African office for training and meetings. We arrived in Dakar in darkness (it was 5am there), but by the time we left, the sun was rising over a fascinating landscape... turrets on mosques lined the horizon and almost everywhere I looked there were 2-3 story cement block buildings. Far off in the distance loomed the controversial African Renaissance Monument. I wish I'd had my camera at the ready to take a picture of it as we taxied down the runway.

We got a bit of a late start leaving Dakar, waiting for passengers. One of them sat next to me, a Dutch lady teaching in Bamako, Mali and whose husband, a Zimbabwean, worked as an administrator for a mine. Interesting conversation! As we got underway, I tried to sleep, but wasn't very successful as the dry air hurt my sinuses and gave me a headache (should've brought Tylenol).

We finally landed in Johannesburg (Joburg) in the evening and we were treated to that characteristic African winter sunset. It was exciting to be back on familiar turf, but I was tired and really anxious to push on and get to Maputo. There was some problem with my ticket when I went to check-in. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but after a short wait, they handed me my boarding pass. The last leg of the trip was in an old Boeing plane, lights were shut off for take-off and landing, plunging us into almost complete darkness -that was new!

We arrived at the fancy, brand new international section of the airport - I didn't recognize the place! I saw Dad waving as I walked the concourse in. Made it through as far as immigration and customs, when officials decided to open my suitcases... and discovered all of the yarn I'd brought with me. (Audrey, my dear friend and landlady, passed away last November and I was given several boxes full of her yarn, to bring with me for the ladies at the Bible College to use for knitting, etc.)  The immigration official, decided I needed to pay and would I please give him the cost of the yarn. I tried to explain my situation, that it was given to me, I didn't know the value and I was not selling it. This went on for a few minutes and we were at an impasse. Mom and Dad were waving excitedly from behind a glass window over the official's shoulder and after a few minutes, Dad somehow managed to get in to the immigration area. With he and I both protesting the official, he asked us into an office, where again, we recounted the story of where the yarn came from and where it was going. There was a woman official who rolled her eyes at the guy giving me a hassle and said, "let them go". The guy huffed and said, "okay go, go". We hesitated and said we were willing to pay something if it was the law and he just said, again "go on".... makes me think he was only out for an extra buck.

Anyway, we were at the house in short order and I got to see Timmy, our little dog, and Oddie ("Odd" for his one white paw) who I met for the first time. After a light snack it was off to bed for a sound night's sleep.

I was up at 7:30AM this morning, with golden sunshine pouring in and the sound of birds chattering and roosters crowing. Oh--it is SO good to be back! I felt well-rested and refreshed. After some oatmeal, Mom and I wandered around the campus and I got to meet the students' kids at the "escolinha" ("little school" or creche) and meet old friends, the ladies who care for the kids and the ladies down at the dining-hall. After that it was over to the chapel service, where I got to see more friends and meet the college students. It was an uneventful day really... I wandered around our yard and got some great pictures of birds, played with the dogs, sat and chatted for a couple hours with Majka, a gal volunteering here from Slovakia and staying on campus. It feels funny not having worked or accomplished anything today, but I feel so relaxed and just at peace.

Here are some photos taken today in our yard....

Laughing Doves on the roof of our house

Oddie, wanting to play!

Beautiful bouganvillea

Female masked weaver, checking out her new digs

Weaver birds at work on their nests. There's a whole colony in the backyard!

Red-eyed Dove

Masked weaver and a Bulbul, enjoying the birdbath.

Brown-Hooded Kingfisher in the backyard.

Another trip back...

22 days and counting...  I've written hardly anything since my last trip in 2007, but I'll try to do so this next trip to Africa. I guess life here just kinda settles into a routine, with little victories and minor dramas....but generally pretty steady and as a result, I don't even think of writing on here.

Will try to post more regularly, so check back again soon....  :o)

Can't be out in the bush...so volunteering in the zoo!

I'll be starting to volunteer at Franklin Park Zoo in the next couple weeks, just a Saturday here and there but I am so very excited!! It's nothing like being out in the bush back home, and some of my friends who also grew up in Africa might find it strange --a zoo is such a far cry from being out in the wild, but being able to hear the Hadeda Ibis, lion roaring and leopards' 'rasping' is wonderful and just sounds so familiar!

I'll be helping out as an interpreter, explaining the animals and their behaviours, with a bunch of stories from home thrown in too, no doubt!

Another BIG Art Project .... Taking on the World!!!!

The New England District Missions Convention is next ....and that has meant another 'mega' art project for me!!! In years past I've painted banners, churches, lions, angels... this year it's the world!!

It was constructed by my friend Kathy''s daughter (Kathy is on the District Council). She built it in 4 separate pieces, that can be "locked" together and then wooden blocks drilled into it to brace it. Quite the set up!! It's 8ft high and 8ft across. The only place I was able to work on it was in my Grandmother's garage. Today I FINALLY finished it.... 7 days (well, 2 days and 5 evenings' worth of work).

For fun, I've been taking photos of it as it progresses, so here, see my world.....

Day 6, only outlining and Antarctica to go...

.... and Day 7, FINISHED!!!

Tuesday, May 27th we took this thing apart and set it up at the church, it took 4 of us to get it back together:

(Small nails were hammered in so that crosses could be hung. Each cross had an emphasis of Nazarene missions printed on it)

All set up and ready for the service on Wednesday night...
Phew!!! Am all done!!

World's End -- A Hidden Treasure Practically on my Doorstep!!

I feel like I discovered a hidden treasure last weekend!! I'd heard of this 'World's End' before and naturally, the name intrigued me. I located it on the map, but still didn't really pursue it until last Saturday afternoon with my friend Tisha.

It cost us $5 each to get in there, which I grumbled over a bit, but once in there.... wow....
These photos below, taken on my cell phone, do NOT do it justice, see these for a better sense of the place: http://www.shutterscript.com/2007/03/24/worlds-end

Living here on the South Shore and so near Boston, I long for the quiet and peace of nature. I really am a country girl at heart and so exploring World's End was an absolute DELIGHT! At times I felt like I was back home on one of the mission stations I grew up on in Africa, the smell of the grass and the earth took me right back. Then at other times, strolling along the lane lined with stately old trees, I felt transported to England. We saw a garter snake, cormorants, chipmunk, red-tailed hawk, red-wing blackbirds, great white egret... I'll have to come back with binoculars and a bird book!

I realize I'm ridiculously happy about this find and I hope to go back very soon... and who cares about spending $5 anyway, most folks spend more than that in a week on coffee anyway!!

For more info: http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/39632_world_s_end.cfm

Some thoughts & quotes on love and friendship

I don't usually post personal things on the internet... it's easy enough to post journal type entries, recount experiences I've had, the places I've gone, but it is another thing altogether to bare one's soul on here for all to see. I don't want to venture too far down that path, but the issue of friendship vs. love has come up very recently for my sister and it's been very difficult. She's ending a relationship.

A little over a year ago, I was in the same predicament but on the flip side of things, I was the one told that the friendship was over... this is now giving me a whole new perspective, understanding and compassion for the one ending things. Seeing the agony my sister is going through in making the decision to end things and perhaps even harder, sticking to it. She wants to remain friends with the guy, but I wonder is that even possible? It doesn't seem to be in my circumstance, though I dearly wish it could because the friendship meant more than I can say.
Why is everything so very complicated?

Please forgive my musings... anyway, all that said and while on this topic, I thought I'd share these quotes about love and friendship. Some are simple, some profound ...I compiled these once and stumbled across them again this evening. I felt they were too good to keep to myself....

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

We are all travelers in the wilderness of the world, and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." ~ C.S. Lewis

We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place in ourselves for those who love us.
~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing ~ Katherine Mansfield

[W]e all need friends with whom we can speak of our deepest concerns, and who do not fear to speak the truth in love to us. ~ Margaret Guenther

Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing. ~ Elie Wiesel

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.
~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Perhaps the most delightful friendships are those in which there is much agreement, much disputation, and yet more personal liking.
~ George Eliot

Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less
~ Rabbi Julius Gordon

The greatest happines of life is the conviction that we are loved-loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. ~ Victor Hugo

Love is always bestowed as a gift -- freely, willingly, and without expectation.... We don't love to be loved; we love to love. ~ Leo Buscaglia

To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.
~ Bertrand Russell, Earl Russell

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. ~ Peter Ustinov

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~ Anaïs Nin

Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyses life; love harmonises it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it. ~ Marin Luther King

Love until it hurts. Real love is always painful and hurts; then it is real and pure.
~ Mother Teresa

'Summer painting season' begins!

Today I set up my 'art studio' over at my Grandmother's house. During the winter, I set up shop in her cellar, but once summer rolls round,
I gladly trade the dark depths of the cellar for the garage!
I got everything set up to my liking in about an hour's time and settled down in front of my canvas, brush in hand. It felt SO good to be outside and painting again!

It never fails to amaze me how simultaneously calming and invigorating it is to paint! I am working on Giants' Castle in South Africa. It's for my Zulu prof, a birthday present. She specifically asked for it so I'm trying to paint something akin to the following picture: http://k53.pbase.com/g6/08/621908/2/78317510.u7quvfla.jpg

I've so many ideas for paintings knocking about in my head...am really, really looking forward to spending time out here in the months ahead, listening to the birds, smelling the rain, enjoying the sunlight and feeling balmy breezes.

It's been a long, dreary and rather depressing winter... coping with disappointment, stress, not to mention all the bad weather. Finally, with the coming of spring, I feel as though things are going to change for the better...

Dave's 23rd birthday!!!

Tonight we celebrated Dave's 23rd birthday! And to mark the occasion, I decided to give him a big dinner! This was my first attempt at an oven roast and Yorkshire pudding... and thankfully, both turned out VERY WELL!

(Mom, they were huge, fluffy and golden.... beginner's luck?)

In the middle of dinner, to our delight, my cell phone rang and it was Mom!! We set the phone to speaker and placed the phone in the middle of the table and had a lovely conversation with her! She even helped us sing happy birthday to Dave when we presented him with the cake.
Love you, Mom!! Thanks for getting up in the wee hours of the morning! Here are the photos...