Sharks, Safaris, and Sunset Swims
Look, a shark! There it wasn’t - walking in the middle of the African safari, turns out it was just a giraffe. Which we, specifically Julaine, were all excited to see.
We started Saturday with a long morning of laundry and shopping while Florus, who was our driver for the day, patiently (this goes along with the theme of patience for the VBS week) waited for us. After this, we went to Game Haven where we were pleasantly surprised to meet Gerrit and Gretchen Oomen and their six youngest children. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and set off to wander around the safari. We got very close to all the animals, which was a perk of the walking rather than driving through a safari. Although the zebras and a giraffe seemed tame, the wildebeests were as wary of us as we were of the African antelopes (which had very long horns). Some decided to jump in the frigid pool while others played life-sized Dutch blitz with the Oomen family.
Later that night we went to Elly B’s in Blantyre with Florus and Janneke for some imitation American food - turns out milkshakes made with ultra pasteurized milk taste like ultra pasteurized milk.
On Sunday we had a long drive of about an hour and 15 minutes on crowded, bumpy, potholed roads. We arrived at church in Mulinga, the third church at a child care centre that we have visited. The catechism portion of the service was about Christ’s priestly office and the sermon was focused on Luke 7: 36-50. Both sections focused on Christ’s sacrificial love for sinners. During the service, a few of us were struggling with our colds and some children snuggled close to us for moral support while looking at us with big eyes.
Following the church service we experienced a regular Sunday in Malawi, which means a afternoon debrief and fellowship with our hosts Bep, Janneke and Florus and then listening to a church service from home in the afternoon.
Monday morning of our vacation week came bright and early! Have you ever had a bus rental leave on time before? We have not. After waiting for a non-existent replacement bus for the original “fluid leaking one”, we drove off with the faulty bus hoping for the best (So far so good :)).
On the way to Lake Malawi, we stopped to tour the David Livingstone Academy. Twenty braids, eight games of imposter and four hours of driving later we arrived at Mgoza Lodge. First impressions: authentic but cozy, friendly staff, many tropical plants, and delicious food.
We went on a sunset cruise this evening, where we had some entertaining guides. We were looking forward to a sunset swim in Lake Malawi, until one of us asked about the hippo situation. Our guide informed us with a straight face, that there was not only hippos in the water, but also very, very large sharks and piranhas. Thankfully all (but one of us) realized that he was joking! After one last check for the fictional sharks, we had a refreshing swim and enjoyed the beautiful sunset. The night ended with us falling asleep to the sound of waves.
Written by Sophia, Ella, and Felicia (with help from Kate)
