Just another day in Africa....

Interesting things can be seen by the roadside as we travel thru a South African game reserve to take members of a recent mission team to the lodge for a few days r & r. We try to keep our camera handy all the time although the more common site in the villages are herds of goats or cattle rather than the above photos. However, since there are no fences, you never know what you might "run into"! It really is a beautiful place and we are continually reminded of how awesome God is and how intricate a design He has woven in our world.

A Full House

For the last 2 weeks we have had a family of 7 staying with us. Scott & Tonya Shipes have moved to Botswana with 5 of their 6 children and are living with us until September 1 when their house will be available. They are partnering with Open Baptist Church, coming from South Carolina, to work with the children's ministry. Their oldest daughter is in the States at University while their 5 boys are with them here. Hunter - 16, Chandler - 13, Parker - 11, and very active 5 year old twins - Joshua and Joseph. It has been lots of fun having them here but also quite exhausting trying to keep up with cooking, laundry, cleaning, driving them around, and did I mention laundry?, and trying to get them ready to move into their home. Fortunately their kids are very well mannered and Tonya is very good at washing dishes. And our 2 dogs have never been happier because they now have 5 boys to play with them! But can you imagine how much laundry there is with 9 people in the house! It really has been a pleasure helping them acclimate to African culture. Pastor Norman's wife, Gabi did such a great job for us when we came here that we can only learn from her and try and do as well!