It's been awhile since our last post so there is quite a bit to catch up on.
Last Sunday was our last day in Mongu. We spent the morning at church. Carlie sang in the choir again and I helped a bit with Kids Church. Another team from Liberty University had arrived so they were leading Kids Church so we were thankfully able to attend some of both of the services for the last time (I hadn't sat in on a service since the first Sunday so it was nice to hear Paul preach again). On the way home from church we booked our bus tickets for Lusaka and then headed back to the base for a braai (barbeque) with the young adult group. The braai was the perfect way to spend our last day with everyone. We had become really close to several of the young adults so it was really fun to be able to spend time with them, eating, talking and playing volleyball. But it was also extremely hard to say good-bye. It probably took like a half an hour to say good-bye. The rest of the evening was then spent packing up, hanging out with the missionaries and saying good-bye. Our bus for Lusaka left at 11:00pm so we spent the night on the bus traveling. We arrived at sunrise and immediately got on a bus bound for Livingstone.
Carlie, Lubasi, and I arrived in Livingstone Monday evening so we hung out at our campground that evening. We saw several hippo and a lot of babboons from the patio along the stream. Tuesday we spent several hours at Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is called Mosi O Tunya in Zambia, meaning Smoke that Thunders. From miles away you can actually see a massive cloud coming from the falls. Running around the falls we got absolutely drenched. The falls are amazing! There are no words to describe how beautiful it is. It is definitely a wonder of the world! We spent some time at the Zimbabwe/Zambia border and watched some bungee jumpers. Unfortunately we did not bungee jumping because we didn't have time. We went on a dinner cruise that evening and saw some more hippo and a crocodile. We were really amped to see some elephants, but unfortunately we didn't see a single one. Wednesday morning we went for a breakfast buffet at a nice hotel near the falls and while driving in we saw 3 giraffe and a whole herd of zebra. We were super close to them too! It was really cool and made up for the lack of elephants the evening before. We then left Livingstone and headed back to Lusaka Wednesday afternoon. The bus rides were not enjoyable at all. They were extremely uncomfortable and hot and the buses stop a lot so it takes forever to travel. We spent Wednesday night at a close friends of Lubasi's house. They actually run a home for orphan children so the house was quite full. They were extremely hospitable and friendly though and for the first time in 5 1/2 weeks we slept on a real bed.
Thursday morning, after spending sometime at the mall in Lusaka, we headed to the airport. It was really hard to leave Zambia. I definitely bawled. Carlie had made plans to head directly to Capetown, South Africa; however, I was still unsure if I could change my plane ticket and extend my stay. Arriving in Johannsburg, I ran to Virgin Atlantic and asked to change my flight, ran to Mango airlines and asked to book a flight to Capetown, waited anxiously on stand-by to make Carlie's flight, made Carlie's flight and then ran to check my bags and make it to the terminal in time. I only had about an hour to do all that, but with Carlie's flight delayed, I was able to make it. During all of that Carlie was waiting at the gate anxiously pacing back and forth so it was quite a surprise to her when I tapped her from behind. We made quite a scene! It was the craziest and most nerve-wracking thing I've done, but it made for quite an adventuresome birthday. We celebrated my birthday then by sharing a chocolate cookie and Tab soda. I started the day crying because of leaving Zambia and then ended it by crying because I made it to Capetown.
Now in Capetown we have been greatly taken care of by our friends from Table View. Everyone has been so fabulous and incredibly hospitable. We have beds to sleep in and a shower without spiders and filter coffee to drink! We spent the weekend sight-seeing around Capetown. We went up Table Mountain (you'll have to look up Capetown and see the massive mountain in the middle of the city) and hung out at Waterfront and watched kite surfers at the beach. We also attended 3 different services at the Table View church. We finally were able to experience what all the Table View team members and missionaries have been talking about since we arrived in Zambia. It's been really cool. It's also been so incredible to visit with our friends once again.
This week we are helping out at Home of Hope, an orphanage for abused and neglected children. Many of the children in the home have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and/or HIV/AIDS. It's really heart-breaking to see. They are really well taken care of there and it's exciting to see what God is doing. Carlie spent hours helping some of the kids with their homework and I was able to talk with some of the leaders on behavioral interventions for the kids. We're also going to spend some time working with Pauline who runs SALT, Table View's community outreach program. This church is really doing amazing things for their community.
While here we spent 2 nights with Tarryn, 2 nights with Ashliegh and we are now spending time with de Klerks. They are all absolutely wonderful people. It's been such a blessing to be able to visit here in Capetown. Everyone insisted that you cannot go to Africa without going to Capetown so here we are.
I apologize that I am not nearly as detailed as Carlie, but I think you got a little picture on what we're doing here. We can't wait to see you all soon and tell you all of our stories in length and in detail!!
Always,.
Clarissa
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