Lions, rhinos and sunsets....

hello faithful readers :) this weekend was a time to relax and unwind after a pretty intense week. on sat AM we packed up a van with a private driver and headed to Nakuru Natl Park. as we approached the gate, we were greeted by monkeys galore. they are pretty much like pigeons in the states....just waiting for a dropped cracker. i could have sworn they staged the next scene: baboons playing on a branch, zebras grazing 20 ft from the car, wart hogs snorting, and a ton of deer-like things. there must have been 10 different deer-resembling animals there--but who can remember them when there were RHINOS and LIONS. oh man, i was going to save that until later :)

so as we continued on to our destination to check in--we had no idea what the accomodations would be like...i was pleasantly suprised. we were greeted with a warm towel infused with menthol to wash our faces/ hands. next came fresh juice...this is all on breezeway entering the hotel people. so awesome. as you can imagine...after hiking a mtn last weekend...i was wanting some r & r. the rooms were just as you would picture for a safari--equiped with a mosquito net around the bed, a quaint bathroom with wood trimmings, and a sweet front porch with a view of the lake. oh yeah, i failed to mention the national park has a lake--where all the animals seem to gather. the resort is on a hill facing the lake. i had to pinch myself multiple times.

the food was delicious--and it was all inclusive. so yes, i tried anything and everything. i loved the indian dishes--as they prepared foods for people from all over who were staying there. we thought everything was included ONLY to realize our fruit punch (FRESH pineapple, passion fruit, and mango--with fruit at the bottom--aka--nectar of the gods) was nearly 4 USD. oh well--guess its like starbucks...but WAY better. back to the food--every meal was an event--with soup, a main course, cheese, and dessert. all buffet style...but still classy. so unexpected.

here is how a safari resort works--wake up early to be in the car by 6:30 AM to see animals at their peek times (morning and dusk), return for breakfast, hang out until lunch (dont you love days based around food and fun?), gear up and go out at 4:30 pm to see more animals, tribal dancers at 7, dinner at 8, and hanging out by the fire until whenever. almost a perfect day.

ok ok--so you are wondering what animals i saw....or you should be :) well guys--God was good and i prayed very specifically--and He showed off His creation. we were able to see-- a black rhino (who came incredibly close to our car), 6 white rhino, baboons and monkeys galore, cape buffalo, zebras, deer-like things, hippos--even a mom and a baby, flamingos, pelicans, hyenas, jackals and last BUT certainly NOT least...a male LION resting on a small cliff. i jumped up and down in the safari van :)

to paint the picture---we had one of those vans you see on the discovery channel--where the roof pops up so you can stand and look out. very fun! you are NOT allowed out of your car--and why would you get out?? BIG animals everywhere. in the AM and at dusk---people are driving around--not traffic filled--but dispersed throughout the park. if you see a car stopped with people hanging out---you stop and look--for what they are seeing. such a rush!!

the lake was placid and beautiful. in the background--mountains and endless blue skies. the Lord blessed us with perfect weather. i was struck with the Biblical truth that God created ALL of these creatures...and put US over them. i felt prized.

after an unforgetable weekend--we drove to a nearby lake--rented a local guide and boat--and set out to see hippos--> we clearly had "animal fever". i was quite reluctant to get into a boat knowingly headed into crock/hippo infested water. im afraid of crocs and....deep water. what a great combination, eh? turned out to be really neat--we did NOT see crocs but we saw a family of hippos--as in around 20 of them. they were HUGE and definitely worthy of respect. the guide knew better than to get too close--for fear of the hippos flipping the boat. i was quite alright with distance. that is what zoom lenses are for :) i also saw a few giraffes and wildabeasts in the horizon by the lake.

so yeah, i have one more weekend in kenya and it is...MISSION ELEPHANT. it may not happen...but im going to try :)

the week ahead has 2-3 new amputees with 2 that stayed over this weekend due to slow production of sockets--in order to create the prosthetic limb. please pray that i would have more time to do gait training and rehab than i did with the last 3 men. their new legs were not made in time--thus--i didn't get to do my part. i have been doing exs and activities with them throughout the day--and working with kids in between--but i would like more time walking with them.

also, please pray for our leader, karen, as she is making big decisions and dealing with unexpected complications. as she said at dinner--pray for a wise head and a calm heart.

thank you all for reading and sharing in this adventure with me. the Lord is teaching me so much--and i think when i get home will be digestion time as now is survival. i love each and every one of you.

g'night,

megs