A New Country--Namibia!

The following are a few shots from the Namib Desert--the biggest Sand Dunes in the World.  We could
just imagine our grand kids and some four-wheelers.  What a day that would be!

I think these trees were imports.  All we saw were miles and miles of sand.

I wish we could have stayed until sunset.  It's supposed to be spectacular.  However, after our
episode traveling after dark in Swaziland, we decided to head for home.  We were supposed to
see tons of warts hogs and baboons along the way but unfortunately we were in a wild rain storm
going and coming.  Fantastic lightning and thunder show,  however.

The entrance to Sampkomund, the city next to the Namib Desert.

Swapkomund was originally a German settlement so there
is a German feel to the city today.

The children coming home from school.  Everyone walks everywhere.
There are not very many individual cars.  And there was no grass
nor trees--just sand.

This is where you would buy a 6-pack of soda.  It's always called
a bottle store--and it is also a liquor store.

These adorable 14-year old girls were so excited to meet and talk
to some Americans!  They couldn't stop giggling.  We were like
celebrities to them.

This is a home for termites.  They can get as tall as 20 feet.  The
baboons will sit around these mounds and poke a stick into them.
When they pull out the stick, it will be loaded with termites which
they then eat.

We loved the name of this restaurant (?)  We decided not to eat
here, however.

A soccer field and grandstand.  Fairly primitive by serviceable.

Surprise visit with Steve Mann

What a fun surprise for us the other day.  Our golfing ladies said that Steve Mann was out in the hall and sure enough it was our friend from Parma, Idaho.  The Mann's and the Robert's farms were close by and Grandpa worked on their farm a lot growing up.  They were both in the Nyssa First Ward as well.
Steve is very involved in humanitarian efforts in Africa.  He has worked with Aids Education and is currently working on a new idea to help the unemployed of Africa (of which there are many) to learn how to be entrepreneurs.  He was the Mission President in Durban a few years ago.

The Lady Golfers from Zimbabwe

Cecilie Lundgreen, a native of Norway, became a professional golfer in 1998.  To her credit, she
has the reputation for hitting the longest ball for any woman.  In addition to her professional golf career,
she runs the Norwegian chapter of Eyes for Zimbabwe.  "There I was, in the rural areas of Zimbabwe watching young children being given such a great gift as their eyesight. . .The excitement and emotions could be felt and touched.  My life has not been the same since."

The lady golfers ran a workshop for us and it was so much fun.  Of course Elder Roberts was a natural, and I actually had a great time as well.  Maybe that could be a pastime for us when we get home

Laurette Maritz (Lolly) is South Africa's top lady golfer.  She has a quiet dignity
that comes from knowing who she is, not who the world says she is.  She has the distinction of
sinking 11 holes in one while on the golfing tour!  She has been very involved with
"Eyes for Zimbabwe."  She reminded me so much of Aunt Laura.  She even kind of looks like her.

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Reeve Nield is a current coach the Ladies European Tour specifically for Laurette Maritz and Cecilie (Cece) Lundgreen.  She and her family have served for years the people of Zimbabwe with "The Eyes of Zimbabwe" Program.  Thoba works with us in Public Affairs and this is her granddaughter, Mazzy.

My Companion is the Very Best!

Look at this beautiful piano!  Lon spent a great deal of time at night searching for a used piano
for me.  We finally found an affordable one and the fellow even said he will buy it back when we
leave.  It's a German piano and has a great, mellow sound.  I am so spoiled!

We have given out over 450 of the God Be With You CD that we made before we left home.  It has
brought amazing results among the missionaries, members, and non-members as well.  Lon gives it to
everyone.  We feel that through the Spirit of the Lord that CD is touching many lives.  It is really a
humbling experience to have been part of it.

The other thing that I absolutely love is going to the animal parks.  I love to see
the animals.  This little bird flew right up to our open window and perched on
the door.  Friendly or aggressive, I'm not sure.

The Meekrats were out in a field and as I started taking their picture, they all
ran straight for me.  It reminded me of the time in Boise, Idaho, when I was
chased by a gopher!  That's another story.

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Finally, we saw our first elephant!

I have a thing about filming birds I guess.

The Mother Zebra was looking down at the ground so I told her to lift her
head for a picture.  And she did!  I know, my grandchildren are saying,
"Grandma's full of it" but seriously that's what happened.  And you all know
I can talk to animals--right?

A bit of a surprise to see a desert tortoise in Africa. . .

Or a millipede or whatever this is. . .

The Guinia Fowl are quite tame and delicious to eat I am told.  (They
 apparently taste a lot like chicken, ha ha.)

Gigantic storks I think.  We thought they were buzzards at first.

Sunday at Kwa Quga Branch

I met these good-looking young men after church Sunday.  The one in the middle is the nicest,
friendliest, and best looking in the ward.  He is 13 so I took his picture for Rylie.  She wanted us
to find her a good-looking 13-year old for her.  So there you are--What do you think Ry?
Also, the 2 younger boys with the red ties are twins.  Their names are Blessed and Blessing.  I thought the names were pretty unique.  The rest just came running when I started to take a  picture.  Everyone loves to have their picture taken.

The Relief Society meets with the Stake Leaders after church.

This Sunday was a special day for the Kwa Quga Branch--they
became a ward!  The members were so excited.  Six years ago a
small group (referred to as a twig) of 10 people met as a unit.  They
became a branch, today a ward, and their plan is to divide the ward in
5 years.  The church is growing so fast and the problem is getting
the leaders trained to take over.

President Boshoff is a dynamic leader in the Pretoria Stake.  He
thinks they will divide the stake in 5 years as well.

You can see the chapel from the
highway and it is quite a dramatic
sight.  The members are all black as
Kwa Quga is a township about 50
miles from Pretoria.  The farm land is
beautiful here--Sugar cane, corn that
makes mealie meal that is a basic food
staple, and some cattle grazing.

Family Home Evening at the Callahans

Family Home Evening, Jan 4, 2011 the Christensen's spoke to us.  They are the Presidents of the MTC for Africa.  Let me share from her one of the differences the American Missionaries encounter when they arrive.  First of all, the number of black African missionaries is rising rapidly.  A good portion of the baptisms in Africa are young men in their 20's.  They are very well versed in the Bible and they are very humble.  They have two challenges to face--they are often very poor so to even provide the clothes needed for a mission is difficult, and often they are the only member in their family and have to deal with a lot of opposition from family and friends.  When the young American Missionaries arrive with a suitcase full of clothes, leather bound scriptures and tote, and a beautiful new backpack--the contrast is very marked.  They try to match an American with an African and she said it is amazing how quickly they become brothers.  This past Christmas was so touching because when the American Elders saw the plight of the African Elders --they only had the cheap little hard bound scriptures and the Americans had all the fancy leather stuff--the American Elders pooled their money and went to the distribution center to buy each African a leather bound set of scriptures with a tote.  They then put them on their beds on Christmas Eve.  She said there were tears and hugs all around as these young men from extremely different cultures grew to love each other as brothers in the Gospel.  A side note, however, the African scriptures are very worn as everyone studies the Bible inside and out.
     During the testimony meeting, one of the African Elders shared how hard it was for him to get to church each week.  He had a great deal of opposition at home so he basically had to sneak out of the house and then walk a long distance to the church each week.  An American was next and he said with tears in his eyes how touched he was by the elder's story.  "In America as a teen-ager, I sometimes would sneak out of church to go home and in Africa you have to sneak out of home to go to church."  Now that is something for us all to consider.

Christmas Eve in Zimbabwe

It's Christmas Eve so we decided to go on an adventure to this animal park
in Zimbabwe.  We were the only ones there so we had the truck and the guide
all to ourselves.

This is the acacia tree and apparently the giraffe love to eat the leaves.
As we were driving, the guide stopped suddenly and said, "I smell giraffe."
We doubted him, but in just a few minutes out walked these beautiful specimens.
He said he could smell the acacia tree flowers and that meant the giraffe had been
eating them.

                                  Then the guide said, "Let's go for a private walk."  He showed us
                                  a plant that the natives use for malaria.  Then he said,"Sh-h-h and
                                  look.  There is a python nest!"  Of course Grandma was delighted,
                                  Grandpa not so much.  I asked him where the mother was and he said
                                  she was probably close by.  Grandma said, "OK, time to go!."

A frolicking Wildebeest

We saw a lot of Zebra--with babies too.

I was casually taking pictures of this huge lion when I heard but
did not see him lunge at me with a deafening roar.  I screamed and
jumped 10 feet (but I did not drop the camera!)  I couldn't believe how
fast he came after me.  Thank goodness for the fence. 

Grandpa on the other hand found a friend.  His name is Geoffry
and he would not leave Grandpa's side.  Notice him giving Grandpa a
nice 'kiss' on the cheek.  I think it is rather fitting--knowing Grandma and
Grandpa's personalities--Grandpa plays with giraffes and Grandma plays
with lions!!

We stopped at a little village to wish them Merry Christmas.  

These young girls are carrying water to their homes from a local
water source.

We had a wonderful day together in Zimbabwe.  A very different sort
of Christmas Eve that's for sure.