OK. So he’s not a baby but our youngest son came from half way around the planet to visit us. We couldn't have been more excited! We loved every minute with him. Here is Chuck’s very brief account of that visit.
This last month was a fun time for us. Bryan, our youngest son, visited here in South Africa for two weeks. We got a chance to see parts of Africa like Madikwe, Swaziland, Kruger Park and to go on a rhino capture or “save.” The rhino capture was the highlight. Bryan got a chance to ride in the helicopter with the pilot and vet to shoot a tranquilizer dart into the running rhino. From the ground we got to drive to the spot and watch the 5 year-old rhino stager until he sat down. The rest of the couple missionaries, about 20 in all, jumped into action doing their assigned tasks. Someone had to count his breaths, cover his eyes and stop his ears so he wouldn't get disrupted with the people around him. The team took as little time as possible to drill both horns, implant an electronic tag and mark his ears by notching a pattern to mark him with his ID number which was 164. Another ranger took blood samples and clipped some hair from his tail. All this info will get put into a DNA data bank that will help identify that rhino and will, hopefully, help deter poachers.
Great expierence and fun to see that Bryan was able to visit for such an extended time. Life is quick in passing...time flies on wings of lightening. Soon you will be home reporting on these wonderful experiences that have will be yours to cherish together and share with loved ones. Sounds like you both are having a spiritual feast in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Randy. We loved every minute with Bryan. The rhino capture was actually quite a spiritual venture as we participated in an effort to protect one of God's great creatures. It was incredible to put my hands on a rhino’s warm, "leathery" body and know that we were doing something to help preserve his life that he, with all of his girth and strength, could not do for himself. It was a worthwhile project as well as a personal triumph to pet a rhino. We have discovered some unusual ways to feel close to the Lord here and are grateful for the enriching experiences that have increased our understanding of this magnificent land and its fascinating inhabitants.
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