BACK TO THE DARK CONTINENT (April 30, 2017 update)

April 18:  After working for a year, and preparing for the many projects, HHTH is finally ready to temporarily leave our homeland. 

(Dadani and Gladys)

Dadani and Gladys said their goodbyes, then Boarded their plane two days before we did to beat us to Zimbabwe. What a great punctuation to the beginning of our work in Africa. 

(Jerry loading boxes)

April 19:  My son, Jerry helped us finish packing boxes then took us to the first point in the journey of our shipment of 58 boxes. 

(Jerry with a few of our bags) 

April 20: At last we are at the first leg of a long two day flight.  We carry what we can for the orphans, which meant 3 large bags each, 3 carry on's, and 3 personal satchels. This translated into 9 huge suitcases, 3 overnight bags and 3 LARGE purse like bags.  Yay!!! Finally ready to Board and fly to Heathrow in London before proceeding to Addis Abba which would take us on to Johannesburg.  A bit exhausting to fly 2 days rather than the usual one day flight. 

(Janco picking us up in Johannesburg). 

April 22:  what a welcome sight to see Janco and our rig. We are in our second home!  The HHTH Team was ready to "rock and roll" African style. Anything unpredictable can happen at this point... and it happened almost immediately. We had a room booked, but when we got there the atmosphere fairly wreaked of danger.  The neighborhood was really rough, the proprietor looked like a gangsta  and there were 2 huge guys lurking around that looked like his henchmen. We decided to ... "back away from the big guys...". And they did NOT like that. They said, "your safety is our priority,". But the look on their faces told a different story.  We gracefully left the premises, much to their consternation at the lost opportunity to relieve us of all our belongings. 

(Janco and CJ)

"PATIENCE IS SOMETIMES A VIRTUE", BUT NOT THIS TIME."  

April 23:  After a day of driving through South Africa, we neared the Boarder of Botswana and Kolobe, one of our favorite African lodges. Stopping in front of the gate, we realized we were chained and locked out and darkness was stealthily creeping upon us, and the "not so friendly wild night life" was lurking in the long shadows.  So, Janco's patience quickly ran out (after 32 seconds) and he bounded up the fence and threw himself over the top. 

(Janco climbing the fence)

(Kolobe lodges)

We were inside the complex and looking at warm, cozy beds after a dusty day on the trail. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT!

(Elephant and Hippos)

April 26:  Once the first elephant (up close and personal) crossed our path and we heard the awkward grunting honking sound terminating in a hum-hum-hum-hum-hum ecstasy of groans from a pod of hippos, we knew T. I. A. was happenin'... (This Is Africa). 

(Takura, at Zim Border Post)

April 26:  We arrived at the dreaded Zimbabwe Border Post and our prayers were answered. Our friend Takura was there and we were able to get through without a long and tiresome delay.  I had brought him one of my Golfer son's golf shirts because we appreciate his friendly help. He was a "happy cappie. "

(Carvers with food)

April 29:  THE MAGIC OF OUR CARVING ARTISTS. 

We woke up so anxious to come see our friends. Because we always get the carvers their African Mealie and garnish. Without it, the African man does not feel like he has eaten if he has't had his Mealie. So, our team rushed around to pick up a 20 kg of Mealie, then to veggie mart for tomatoes,cabbage, green peppers, and onions... then to top it off, we went to the butchery which was locked tight. Thinking they were closed, we started to walk away, but a lady ran to the door, hailed us down and pulled us in the shop rapidly closing and locking the door again.  She said, "We must keep the doors shut and locked  because the baboons can open any door and they run in and steal the meat." So we chose sausage from what the baboons left and took it all over to the carvers work area. Seeing the food they did a dance of jubilation and shout of joy.  36 men were able to eat three days from that one bag.   So, our work began. Every year, HHTH buys carvings from them to sell to raise fund for the Charity. In addition, it gives them work and helps with feeding their family. This was a very satisfying day. Good people got to eat and feel full. The joy in their face was ample repayment. 

Until next time... "From the  Bush"