SOUTH AFRICA 2015 INFO

New update coming soon! (updated 1/30/2015)

2013 South Africa trip wrap-up

We had a great trip! Apart from the 39 hours of travel time coming home, the rest of the trip was super. We traveled with Jackie Henry and Rufus Luttig.

We had a opening celebration for the community center in Kwadick. Speeches by me, the chief and the school principal, lots of food and meeting of old friends. Although the day was rainy, moving the activities into the center only added to the celebration.

We had 3 days of afternoon VBS that Terry organized with help from Judi and Brittany. The kids loved it and their numbers grew from about 25 to 85. The kids were very well disciplined and looked as if they were all in relatively good health.

Brad and I built 3 tables and some shelves for the center. We had a few adventures buying wood and trying to find driver bits for the wood screws. You'd think a hardware store that sells hand drills would have them, but TIA.

Leaving the Transkei, we drove south the Alexandra where Jackie lives to visit some new missionaries, the Dorrs who moved there recently from Cleveland, MO. While there, we visited a new community center which is served by Jackie's roommates Adam and Abbie Sallee. We also visited a pre-school run by Jackie's church.

Next we drove to Hunt SA which is Rufus' game farm. After a traditional potjie (stew cooked over an open fire), a relaxing time was spent in his new room in front of a fire. Terry and Judi taught Rufus how to make meatloaf which we had for breakfast. (don't judge)

The next day we drove to Scotia for game drives, great food and a side trip to Addo Elephant Park.

From Scotia we drove further south to Port Elizabeth to visit Mama Nozake. She is doing well and has a veg tunnel sponsored by Nedbank, one of the largest banks in South Africa. We will be putting up a similar tunnel in Kwadick.

From there we drove back to East London to catch our plane home.

NEW! Movies about South Africa

FAQ

1. What kinds of things do you do on a trip?

• visit the orphans that ICC is currently feeding in Kwa-dick

• AIDS education at the Kwa-dick school

• There are many projects that could be done around the school.

• visit a game farm

• game hunting is an option, depending on the interest of the group

• see the Indian Ocean, the Transkei hills, interact with the Xhosa people, meet wonderful missionaries, eat good food and fellowship together.

The exact events are determined by the group that goes. There are lots of options so the group decides much of the itinerary.

2. How much does it cost?

About $2500. It depends on the cost of airfare, cost of gas and the different events the group chooses. The cost of the trip is fully tax deductable.

3. When is the trip?

This year we will leave in the end of winter which is the end of summer in South Africa.

4. Where do you stay?

We stay in a variety of places from B&Bs to resorts. All have indoor plumbing.

5. Do you eat weird food?

Depends on what you call weird. We eat lots of meat and chips (French fries).

6. Can you drink the water?

Yes. We do drink bottled water when we are in the village because their containers may not be clean.

7. What shots do you need?

Tetanus. I’d also add Hepatitis A & B. There is no malaria in the area we travel to.

8. Where exactly do we visit? (South Africa is a big country)

On the map we are on the Indian Ocean coast, halfway between Durban and East London, in an area called the Eastern Cape.

9. Other questions?

Email me, I love to talk about South Africa.