SAFARI TIME

Scott and I decided to extend our stay (with a few of the other volunteers) and visit Livingston.

We were able to see Victoria Falls. These water falls were massive. It’s one of the 7 natural wonders, and we got to experience every aspect of it.

We got drenched walking across the bridge...

and we were able to hike to the boiling pot.

We also got an aerial view in the helicopter.

We also did a safari where we were able to see tons of animals.

We even got to ride on the back of an African elephant.

One night we went on a romantic sunset cruise across the Zambeziriver. You could hear the hippos from a mile away.

Scott’s so brave (or just crazy)

He did a walking safari on his own…I was too much of a wimp to go.

We went to a crocodile park. Scott got through the gate and poked one with a stick. P.S. It had already eaten a man.

He even bungee jumped over the Zambezi river.

Our trip was so eventful…but I think we were both ready to go home.

AFRICA

Scott and I had the great opportunity to spend 3 weeks in Zambia working for “Mothers without Borders”. This experience was truly amazing and life changing. We were able to love the people and see the trials that the locals face every day. I feel that we barely made a difference in their lives, but the experiences that we had will stay with us forever.

The girls stayed in Mayvis’ back house. I got the top bunk J

Scott, being one of the only males got his own tent in the front yard.

There were 2 showers but never any hot water. We ate yogurt and granola for breakfast and a PB and J sandwich for lunch everyday.

But Eta treated us extra special for dinner. She (with the help of family) made us a delicious dinner every night.

Sometimes we got fresh chicken...and there was always fresh vegetables and Shima.

The culture is great and we were always invited into villages with a song.

The girls loved to play with my hair and braid it.

We were able to perform health screenings…

Plant gardens...

Make bricks...

Clear roads...

Paint…

But best of all we got to play and read to the kids.

The kids at the center are so strong, and have overcome so much.

Emmanuel was my buddy the whole time we were there. He didn’t talk much, or smile for that matter, but he always came and sat on my lap or held my hand. His parents both died from AIDS and he is now with his siblings at the center. I can’t imagine the pain his little eyes have seen, but I loved his sweet spirit and the glimps of a smile that I got out of him every once in a while.

Kennedy was a firecracker, and he LOVED Scott. He is a ball of energy, and his cuteness will light a room up. He had fun making arts and crafts with us, and he thought Scott looked hilarious in his man made glasses.

Carol Zulu…I don’t even know where to begin. She may look young in these pictures but she’s actually 13 years old. She was the little mother hen in the orphanage, and everybody looked up to her. She has an amazing singing voice, and she will share a song with anyone who asks. This little girl has overcome unmentionable hardships, and she still has the determination to brighten other people’s day.

When you talk to Carol, you feel as if you are in the presence of greatness.

About a year after our trip, we received the devastating email that Carol had passed away from AIDS. The world lost a true angel, but I know that our Heavenly Father has great plans for her on the other side of the veil.

It’s hard to find any couple more giving than Webster and Sharon. They are both suffering from AIDS, but they both work hard to support their children as well as 6 nieces’ and nephews who lost their parents to AIDS. Their house doesn’t have a bathroom, and “Mothers without Borders” has given Webster money to finish it on 3 different occasions. Little did they know that each time he was given the money he sent it to other family members who needed it more than him. Webster has such a fun personality, and Sharon is a sweet heart. We look up to them so much.

The Story of Us…

Boy meets girl at church. We go on our first date to the batting cages. The next day we go on our “real” first date to the apple farm in Oak Glen. I’d like to think that we fell madly in love with each other from our first few dates, but we played it smart and dated for almost a year before we were married.

These dates included:

A Halloween Dance

Some camping trips with friends

Angel games

Lots of weddings ( I must have been in 5 that year, and Scott faithfully came as my date)

Disneyland!

Our first Christmas together

A Birthday trip to LA

and a road trip to Utah

We happily spent every day together since our first date, up until Scott went to Utah for his bachelor party. (Pictures for that will soon follow)

He is the man of my dreams, and I cherish those fun first moments that we had to learn more about each other.