Day 8
Friday, March 23, 2007
Mvuu Lodge, Liwonde National Park
Today we took a break from our building project and went on an African safari in the Liwonde National Park at the southern end of Lake Malawi. We left Ngodzi about 8:30 am by road, accompanied by Pat and Ann Laforet (Lifeline Malawi Field Directors) and arrived at the Shire River by 11:30. Some of us then went up river by boat while the other half of the team went overland in a bumpy Land Rover. Those of us in the boat got an early chance to see hippos, crocodiles and lots of river birds.
At the lodge we were treated to a delicious lunch followed by a wonderful swim in their pool. “Heavenly” was the most popular team descriptor. Then afternoon tea and off on our safari in a converted Land Rover with “theatre seating,” with our guide and driver, Charles. We were soon seeing lots of wildlife (impalas, baboons, and lots of hippos). We rode around looking for the black rhino and the elephants, both of which eluded us this evening. Our safari went on until well after dark with a spot light looking for nocturnal critters. We were thankful to see a hippo right of the water (they stay in the water all day during the heat and come out just after dusk to feed for the night, often wandering several kilometers from the river).
Back after our safari by 7:00 pm we were all hungry and ready for dinner at 7:30. Another delicious meal prepared by the lodge staff and ready for bed by 9:00 pm.
Back to our chalets we noticed the sign, “Beware of hippos” – the hippos apparently wander around the chalets at night. The chalets themselves were a unique design of wooden poles and lots of screen, absolutely nothing to stop the jungle sounds around us.
All in all a fun day, although we were all disappointed in not seeing an elephant yet. We pray that we will find some tomorrow.
Day 7
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Ngodzi
Today’s highlight was helping Pastor McDuff get his bicycle back on the road. We picked up Pastor McDuff and his bicycle at his home and drove to the next village for new tires and tubes for his bicycle. We only found one tire and two tubes, so we drove into Chipoka (next major town) and found his other tire in the market. Then we returned to the guest house and had his tires installed. Later, he arrived at the church building site on his bicycle beaming from ear to ear. He hadn’t been able to afford new tires for months (CDN $ 15.00).
The building project continues to progress on schedule. The east wall is almost complete and a concrete “ring beam” across the top of the bricks was started on the south and west walls. We built a wooden cross for the outside front of the church, which will have the inscription “God is Here” in Chichewan. Inspiration for the saying came from Mr. Vincent, the headmaster, who proclaimed, “God is here,” when the gals presented him with the donated school supplies.
Hank joined some of the Lifeline Malawi medical staff on what they call an “outreach clinic” in a remote village north of here. In a very simple mud and thatch structure built by this village for these mobile clinics, he and the other staff saw about 90 patients with lots of malaria and a large number of kids and adults with coughs. And of course, lots of HIV infection and AIDS, as everywhere in this part of Africa.
Thoughts and quotes of the day:
“Mulungu ili pato” (God is here) – Betty
“So little means so much here.” – Fred
“Everywhere you go everyone is happy and friendly.” – Garnet
“I had a very nice talk with Pastor McDuff about everything from the price of corn (CDN $ 10.00 per 50 kg) to the afterlife.” – Kees
“The children are fascinated by my arm freckles; they try to pick them off.” - Connie
“Our entertainment for the evening: Bat watch at six, hippos at seven.” – Janet
“I am more than impressed with the work ethic of the children helping build the church; they don’t stop all day.” – Darren
“I received a gift (a model house made of – we’re not sure) from one of the young boys (Kevin) on the Lifeline Malawi compound.” – Chelsey
Friday, March 23, 2007
Mvuu Lodge, Liwonde National Park
Today we took a break from our building project and went on an African safari in the Liwonde National Park at the southern end of Lake Malawi. We left Ngodzi about 8:30 am by road, accompanied by Pat and Ann Laforet (Lifeline Malawi Field Directors) and arrived at the Shire River by 11:30. Some of us then went up river by boat while the other half of the team went overland in a bumpy Land Rover. Those of us in the boat got an early chance to see hippos, crocodiles and lots of river birds.
At the lodge we were treated to a delicious lunch followed by a wonderful swim in their pool. “Heavenly” was the most popular team descriptor. Then afternoon tea and off on our safari in a converted Land Rover with “theatre seating,” with our guide and driver, Charles. We were soon seeing lots of wildlife (impalas, baboons, and lots of hippos). We rode around looking for the black rhino and the elephants, both of which eluded us this evening. Our safari went on until well after dark with a spot light looking for nocturnal critters. We were thankful to see a hippo right of the water (they stay in the water all day during the heat and come out just after dusk to feed for the night, often wandering several kilometers from the river).
Back after our safari by 7:00 pm we were all hungry and ready for dinner at 7:30. Another delicious meal prepared by the lodge staff and ready for bed by 9:00 pm.
Back to our chalets we noticed the sign, “Beware of hippos” – the hippos apparently wander around the chalets at night. The chalets themselves were a unique design of wooden poles and lots of screen, absolutely nothing to stop the jungle sounds around us.
All in all a fun day, although we were all disappointed in not seeing an elephant yet. We pray that we will find some tomorrow.
Day 7
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Ngodzi
Today’s highlight was helping Pastor McDuff get his bicycle back on the road. We picked up Pastor McDuff and his bicycle at his home and drove to the next village for new tires and tubes for his bicycle. We only found one tire and two tubes, so we drove into Chipoka (next major town) and found his other tire in the market. Then we returned to the guest house and had his tires installed. Later, he arrived at the church building site on his bicycle beaming from ear to ear. He hadn’t been able to afford new tires for months (CDN $ 15.00).
The building project continues to progress on schedule. The east wall is almost complete and a concrete “ring beam” across the top of the bricks was started on the south and west walls. We built a wooden cross for the outside front of the church, which will have the inscription “God is Here” in Chichewan. Inspiration for the saying came from Mr. Vincent, the headmaster, who proclaimed, “God is here,” when the gals presented him with the donated school supplies.
Hank joined some of the Lifeline Malawi medical staff on what they call an “outreach clinic” in a remote village north of here. In a very simple mud and thatch structure built by this village for these mobile clinics, he and the other staff saw about 90 patients with lots of malaria and a large number of kids and adults with coughs. And of course, lots of HIV infection and AIDS, as everywhere in this part of Africa.
Thoughts and quotes of the day:
“Mulungu ili pato” (God is here) – Betty
“So little means so much here.” – Fred
“Everywhere you go everyone is happy and friendly.” – Garnet
“I had a very nice talk with Pastor McDuff about everything from the price of corn (CDN $ 10.00 per 50 kg) to the afterlife.” – Kees
“The children are fascinated by my arm freckles; they try to pick them off.” - Connie
“Our entertainment for the evening: Bat watch at six, hippos at seven.” – Janet
“I am more than impressed with the work ethic of the children helping build the church; they don’t stop all day.” – Darren
“I received a gift (a model house made of – we’re not sure) from one of the young boys (Kevin) on the Lifeline Malawi compound.” – Chelsey
posted by Dr. Hendrik Visser at 12:56 PM
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