Safari - Thursday update

Today the Safari was awesome. Getting there, however, was another story. We rode in the bus for 7 hours. These were the bumpiest roads ever. It felt like we were in a blender. We also stopped at a market half way to the Safari to shop. It was fun haggeling with the salesmen. As we entered the gates of Amboseli Nat'l Park, Masi women and men surrounded our bus trying to sell jewelry and carvings. It was unbelievable riding through the park and seeing all the animals so close. We saw giraffes, water buffalo, gizelles, ostriches, zebras, boars, wildabeasts and elephants. God is amazing and his creations here in Kenya are so beautiful! What a treat and so surreal to see all those animals. Next we visited a Masi village of 187 members, 1 of the 2 major tribes in Kenya. They live very primitively in huts covered in cow dung. Typically, they are cattle farmers like their people have been for centuries and they carry traditions from long ago like polygamy. You may have seen these people on Nat'l Geo, wearing their bright red and deep purple wrappings layered up with many bright colored beaded collars and necklaces. The color of the clothing against the backdrop of the yellow green landscape was absoluely striking! It has not rained in these parts in over a year and a half. Many cows of the Masi's herd have died, leaving a little over 100 left. Again, please pray for rain. Finially we arrived at our hotel for tonight. The animals walk up right behind the hotel and we sat outside before dinner watching an elephant and 3 zebras walk through the "back yard". It was fantastic! Now time for bed, we have to get up at 4:30 am to go 7 hours back to Niarobi to catch our flight to Cairo. The next 2 days will be filled with waiting in airports and riding in planes to get home to you all. I am so looking forward to seeing y'all and to lots of hugs and kisses! Please pray for safe travels and no lost luggage or delays. I'm counting the hours until I see your faces. I Love You all so - T