Safari and More

We did go on Safari at the Mikumi Animal Reserve and had a wonderful time! The day we arrived we went on an afternoon animal drive, saw some nocturnal animals while at supper and then went for an early morning drive. Between the two we saw a lot--herds of Impala, Cape Buffalo, Wildebeasts, Zebras, and Elephants, quite a few Warthogs, Reedbucks, Bushbucks, Giraffe, a pond of 8 Hippos that gave us quite a show--bobbing up and down in the water and sometimes opening their mouth and making their grunting noise, some crocodile, 4 female Lions which we got to within about 15 feet of (my heart was racing! We were in an open safari vehicle!!), a Leopard that ran across the road in front of us, a Black-backed Jackal, a Verivert Monkey, whole flock of Crested Guineau Fowl, several different kinds of birds that we thought we identified from our guide and several we didn't, some Eland and the night creatures were Bush Babies (between a squirrel and a monkey), a Honey Badger, a Pot Rat (HUGE rat), and a couple Genet Cats. Our guide said we must be people of God because we saw so much on just two drives and actually got to see a Leopard, which is rare... Art was like an excited kid at the zoo for the first time. (However, a zoo will never be the same for us).  :)  Our quarters couldn't have been more perfect--a huge tent on stilts--complete with wood floors, flush toilet and shower! This was all under a thatched roof with a wrap-around porch that had chairs to sit out and overlook the game park. Now I could camp like this!! :)  Pictures will have to come later as we are having "technical difficulties".  :(
We had about a 5 hr ride from the park to Dodoma where we've spent the rest of the week in the Webb's home.   We have had a blessed time as each day we would go to visit in different pastor's homes and pray for the needs and concerns on their hearts. It was heart-warming to meet these men and women of God, to hear their stories and concerns then to pray with them. They were always so welcoming, gracious, and had encouraging words for all of us. We were humbled and blessed. It was obvious they loved the Webbs too. We also met the students in the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) and were encouraged to see the dedication of these students and hear how they are putting their education into practice. We feel so blessed to have been touched by each person.

Arrived in Tanzania

We got up at 4 am to head to Lilongwe, Malawi (4 hr drive) and then catch our plane to Dar Esalam, Tanzania where we arrived at 2 am. in the morning. Mike met us at the airport in the wee hours of the morning. Today we slept in a little and then ate lunch at a lovely place on the Indian Ocean. We are currently with the Webbs--Mike, Heather and ten-month old, Madalyn. Tomorrow we'll drive 3 hrs towards "home" and stop by a game reserve for a day's safari--on our way back to their place Dodoma, Tanzania.  Also below is a picture of a typical art-form called "Tingatinga"(we saw on the wheel cover of a vehicle). Hopefully we'll be able to say we've actually "seen" these animals after tomorrow!

High Tea and Luggage

Malawi Church of God Logo

We've had a couple of good days--Monday we were finally able to retrieve our two missing pieces of luggage! PTL! Tuesday we ran some errands, met some of Tammie's friends and visited the recently purchased property where the Church of God is building a training center on about 7 acres.  So far they have a well with hand pump, a very nice bricked 3-hole latrine, and an almost completed house where the overseer of the property will live. In addition to this, there's a temporary thatched house for the guard and a temporary thatched roofed area that a new  church group is meeting under.  The last workteam that was here also planted an area with Mango, Avacado, Papaya, Guava, Orange, Lemon and Lime trees.

Church Shelter/Guard House

Latrine

House for Property Manager

There's a master plan for the property for classrooms, church and dormitory, road with a bridge over a small ravine, etc. but building can only be done as funds are received.  The next project is the road and bridge for accessing the property as they have been borrowing a passage-way through someone's garden and soon it will be time to plant again...

The "Lodge"
After looking over the property we headed off to the Satemwa Tea-Coffee Plantation about 20 miles out in the middle of hundreds, if not thousands of acres of one coffee or tea field after the other. It was a beautiful ride through the rolling hills of various shades of green. We passed a grove of Macadamia Nut trees too. We arrived at the "lodge for "high tea" about noon and it was like 

Three for Tea (Art, Suetta, Tammie)

One garden area/pool

Tea field

something out of an old novel or movie...our three plush chairs and a coffee table were set out on the lawn under an umbrella with another umbrella-ed table nearby that had our finger sandwiches, scones, and "biscuits" ? , jam, marmalade and clotted cream AND, of course, a couple pots of tea. To top it off there was a lovely (and very yummy) chocolate cake with a fresh flower atop it. A most relaxing and beautiful setting (except for the tea fleas). We looked in some of the rooms they offer for over-night guests and they were done elegantly with mosiquito-net drapped poster beds, sitting areas with fireplace, footed tubs (one bathroom even had a fireplace) and delightfully attentive servers. A real get-away place to relax! Then we came back to reality and drove home--stopping on the way at a quaint little coffee shop where we watched the woman actually roasting the coffee and making "blends". She also had macadamia nuts and dried fruits. Art and Tammie had a cup of her fresh roasted coffee and I inhaled the wonderful aroma. It was a wonderful day!

Sunday -- A Blessed Day Indeed!

Downed tree

We got a very early start--leaving the house at 6 am for our 5 hr. trip. Our vehicle was loaded. There were 11 people plus the personal belongings of the 8 that had been at the pastor training for 2 weeks.   We dropped off one pastor on the way and then visited the congregations of two other pastors that were "kind of on our way" for a "quick hello" and to bring greetings to their congregations. We were treated with warm welcomes--singing and dancing, handshakes and smiles. Then we were finally on our way to our destination--Nsanje--where the roads kept narrowing and getting rougher as we neared this southern mountain village. We were within about 30 min. of being at the village when we encountered a huge tree that had fallen across the road. We were able to clear a path--chopping down a small tree and clearing away brush just wide enough for the vehicle to pass (up around to the left in the picture).

We were a little late getting there but found members from several "area" Church of Gods (some coming from as far as 50 kilometers--31 miles--on foot) as well as some other denominations in the local area, all singing and waiting under a HUGE Mango tree. We were seated at the front (in chairs) and greeted with everyone coming by to shake our hands and/or curtsey.
Then they took their seats on the ground around the base of the tree and the sloping hillside. During the introductions we were told we were the first white people to ever put foot in their village. [Wow! Kind of makes one feel like a "pioneer"--making a road where there isn't one--setting foot where "one of our kind" never has been... :)]

Prayer time

Some choirs sang and then Art shared a message that was translated by a delightful young man, Emmanuel, then a time of prayer for various needs.

Art preaching, Emmanuel translating

"Shaker" - Instrument

Again we were greeted again by adults and children alike, all filing by with a handshake/curtsey, then fed a meal and were on our way back to Tammie's home in Blantyre. There were some men working on the big tree across the road when we came back through and wish you could have seen the looks on their faces when we just went up and around on the path we had cut earlier in the day. ! ? :)  As we all chatted in the vehicle going home, we all agreed, it was a VERY GOOD day and we all were VERY BLESSED by the day!

Guitar

First Day in Malawi

Suetta with Missionary, Tammie Tregellas

Today we spent with Tammie and 20 pastors at the last day of a two-week training  They are the Regional, District and National leaders. This time of training is a time not only for learning and discussing about theology and the Bible but also family and relationship issues. We were very encouraged and blessed to hear their vision and plans for the church throughout the country of Malawi. They were a great group with 18 men and 2 women present. Art brought greetings and during their worship time they had the speaker share in English so we would understand and a fellow pastor translate in one of their five major dialects, Chichewa for them! How thoughtful! And that just seems to be the spirit of this group. Tomorrow we will spend some time in a couple of villages and this week we will see the property they have purchased to build a training center and where building is already underway.

Landed in Africa

We've had a long travel day and at this writing we are sitting in the airport in Lilongwe, Malawi with a 4 hr layover and then just one more hour on a plane to our destination--Blantyre. We are two suitcases lighter :(   Our large suitcase with all the goodies for the missionaries and Suetta's personal suitcase did not make it to this destination--however we know they are on this continent and hopefully will show up in a day or two... Pray! We are 7 hours ahead of you in the US (EST) so we've had a looong day with very little sleep.

On Our Way

We are in the airport awaiting our 13 hour flight to Ethiopia where we will then catch another 4 hour flight to Malawi with another 1 hr flight after that and then Tammie Tregellas will pick us up. There will be some layover time too which will probably make it close to 24 hrs  of travel time. Please do keep us in your prayers and "stay tuned'...