I was able to get this pic of a Sable antelope on my phone just as we were leaving Kruger

As much as we enjoyed our time in South Africa, we are grateful to be back home. The only problem with South Africa is getting there. It’s a long, somewhat arduous, and expensive journey, but the experience is well worth it. A mystique about the dark continent grips you as you travel the country. Though our team will be reporting in church next Sunday and sharing their experiences, I want to share a few thoughts as a takeaway from this missions adventure.

Indawo Yethemba Children’s Village

We truly loved our time with the orphans, and our ladies especially enjoyed a tea with the grannies on Monday and were greatly blessed hearing their stories. On Sunday, we had a great time of worship with Bible Baptist Church in Durban. Our Zulu brothers and sister worship in great liberty without the time constraints that characterize American congregations. It was a great honor for me to be able to preach there. After the service we had lunch at an Italian restaurant before strolling down to the beach. Most of our team wanted to get their feet wet in the Indian Ocean and also wanted to check out the vendors selling their wares by the beach.

Monday was a day to finish up a couple of projects and kick back. Bob and I got in a round of golf on an absolutely beautiful course. Overall, it was a great week and our team was able to tile a bathroom, varnish windows, mow the grass, and paint playground equipment. Our church had purchased six sewing machines and some of our ladies had the joy of teaching the grannies how to sew. Monday afternoon we started packing up to leave early the next morning.

Safari at Kruger National Park

If you make a trip to Africa, and South Africa in particular, you should always plan for three or four days in Kruger National Park. Dr. Bob has taken scores of people on safari there and has become quite adept as a guide. Our team left the children’s village on Tuesday at 4 a.m. and arrived at the Malelane gate around 1 p.m. The park was established in 1926 for the sake of preserving the animals from the rampant hunting that was depleting the herds and threatening various species.

The size of the park is impressive. Imagine driving slowly through the state of New Jersey or the panhandle of Florida. Also, it isn’t long before you begin to see the amazing array of animal life within the park. Your journey through Kruger is like a reverse zoo, and you’re the one in a moving cage protected from those on the outside. We were blessed to see all the big five (i.e., lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros). On a sunset safari, Metwell, our guide, spotted a leopard just off the road in the brush. Seeing leopard is considered a prized view since they are reclusive and are mainly nocturnal.

For each of the three nights we stayed in different encampments, and for two nights Bob grilled chicken, lamb, and steak for us while Joanna took charge getting everything else ready. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and each night the stars were phenomenal. Truly the heavens declare the glory of God. (Psalm 19:1) One of our men brought a telescope, and we were able to see some of God’s handiwork close up. It really is incredible to look out over miles and miles and not discern one manmade thing. As far as you can see there is just forest, river, and savannah stretching into the distance.

We had some amazing views of lions and were treated to a great show on our way out of the park when three cheetahs sprang on a herd of impala. Just afterward we came upon a Sable antelope which is also rarely seen. Majestic and beautiful, this amazing creature walked right across the road in front of us. It was all a tremendous experience and we enjoyed every minute of our time in this icon of African wildlife.

Returning Home

After almost two weeks away we began to feel the urge for home. It took another whole day of travel to get back to the airport in Johannesburg. We shoveled our bags and prepared for the long journey home. After an eleven-hour flight to Amsterdam, we had about three hours before the eight-hour flight to Dulles. KLM Airline is an excellent carrier, and all our flights went well. We appreciate all the prayers for our safe return.

As a pastor, I usually take mission trips alone, and it was a wonderful to share this experience with a team from our church. A spirit of cooperation and great fellowship made this enjoyable for everyone. It was my second trip to South Africa, and the greatest joy for me was seeing how the work of Bob and Joanna Graham had blossomed and grown. I am truly grateful for their friendship and Lord-willing, look forward to returning.