All Things Bright and Beautiful

For the last two days, our group visited Mvuu Camp for an African safari experience.  Mvuu means "hippo" and there was certainly an abundance of hippos to see!   We first boarded a jeep and went into the black rhino sanctuary with our guide Angel.  Angel is the best it gets as far as guides go.  He is a knowledgeable, witty and engaging guide.  On our land safari, we spotted kudu, sable antelope, impala, and heart beasts.  We even saw one zebra, oh what a sight it was, as well as an elephant!  It was an amazing feeling to be out in the wild in an open air jeep, quietly searching for wildlife.  I could have spent all day long in that environment, soaking up every sound, movement, smell and sight. At sunset, we met the rest of the group to watch the sunset together.   It was the most beautiful scene in the world.  As the sun went down, what seemed like millions of stars twinkled in the African sky.  It is a sight and feeling I am unable to describe.  A guide pointed out particular stars, such as Sirius, as well as constellations including the Southern Cross and Scorpio.   We drove on, now with a second guide in the front of the jeep holding a light to spot animals.  At one point, Angel stopped the vehicle and suggested we "stop and listen to the tranquility of the wilderness."  Crickets chirped, frogs croaked and insects buzzed in the cool night air.  In the distance, we heard hippos and the grass moving in the slight breeze.  Stars abounded in the night sky.   It was so peaceful, and I was overwhelmed with awe.  Never in my life did I ever think I would have the most wonderful experience of experiencing the tranquility of the wilderness in Africa -- and more than once in this lifetime is beyond my wildest dreams!  I am blessed. On the nighttime safari, we spotted three whitetail mongeese, hippos resting along the river bank, and another elephant.  This morning, we went on a sunrise walk with Angel as our guide and Frank as a gunman.  Angel reminds me so much of my father.  He knows every animal track, studies the droppings of animals, and examines the trees and the surroundings to determine where they have been, where they are and where they are headed.  Angel is in his element out there, just as my dad is in the mountains.  We followed elephant tracks, but only saw some wart hogs sleeping (which I think are adorable -- they're so ugly they're cute).  Angel taught us about indigenous remedies for various illnesses, and pointed out an array of birds.  It was a beautiful start to the day. We also went on a river safari this morning.  Words cannot adequately describe the majesty and grandeur of elephants as they gather at the watering hole in the morning. Crocodiles bask in the sun, and hippos gather in their family groups to cool themselves in the shallow water.  Birds dive for fish and send glorious melodies across the land.  Impalas, wart hogs and water bucks congregate at the river for drinks.  It is nature at its best.   When I think about all of the wonders we experienced on the Mvuu adventure, I think about what God said about his Creation in Genesis:  "He saw all that He had made, and it was very good."