June was all about baby showers and newborn babies! Julie and the ladies at our church were able to give Nicoline a baby shower the beginning of June. It was a nice gathering in the same garden of a friend where Nicoline and Davango were married last November. There was lots of good food, in addition to wonderful fellowship with everyone that attended.
It was a real pleasure to see the joy and excitement in Nicoline's face while she went through all the lovely gifts for the new baby.
The shower was just a week before her due date, but the baby delayed his arrival for another three weeks. Finally, the last day of the month Nicoline delivered a healthy baby boy named Brayden pictured below.
The Kowalski family is also enjoying the blessing of a new baby girl to their family. Baby Lily was also a few weeks over due and ended up being close to ten pounds at birth. After a two week recovery in Gaborone where the medical services are better, the family was able to return to Maun. It was close to two months away for Cheryl and the kids and Keith had been with them for over a month at that time. We were at the airport to welcome baby Lily early on Saturday the 25th of June.
Later that day, the celebration of Lily's home coming continued with a baby shower at Island Safari Lodge. Most of the gifts were needed clothes, though due to Lily's size at birth 3 to 6 month outfits were the norm.
There was a large cake in honor of the occasion, and of course it was the traditional baby girl color of pink.
Julie was thrilled to finally get to meet this long awaited bundle of love.
June 27, we were able to represent FMS by attending a major local event for the opening of the Coaching for Conservation Educational Centre in Maun.
There was all kinds of artwork by the children to decorated the facility and a laboratory classroom pictured below.
In addition, there were activities with local children and a ribbon cutting ceremony by the guest of honor.
The guest of honor was the government minister of transportation and communication. Colin has gotten to talk with him numerous times as he has come through Maun over the last few years. We are pictured below with the honorable Frank Ramsden, just before the start of all the days events.
Our church was also broken in to towards the end of June. The sound system and small electric hot plate and oven combination were stolen. Colin spent one of his days off repairing the windows that had been broken to enter the church. Despite the disappointment of the robbery, Colin did enjoy the time visiting with Pastor Alex as he worked on the repairs.
A new coffee shop called "Kalahari Koffe", has opened in Maun. Our pastors wife is managing it for the Word to Africa mission and they are hoping to earn funds to help support their missionaries and ministry. The coffee shop is a first in Maun and it is keeping Ems quite busy. We have enjoyed stopping in to see her when we can and savoring a quality cup of coffee or tea.
July 1 has brought us company from Alaska! A friend from Galena and her sister and brother- in- law arrived to spend three weeks experiencing some of the wonders of Southern Africa, starting with us here in Maun. Pictured below from right to left are Jeannine, Joan, and Jerry just after they cleared customs at the Maun airport.
After a tour of Maun, lunch, and dropping off their luggage at our house they were off on a scenic flight with Colin to Delta. Julie was able to ride along also.
It was their first chance to see Colin since landing in Maun, as he had been flying a large part of the day already.
We all saw many animals, but a couple of the highlights were herds of elephants and Cape buffalo. To see the elephants a bit better, click on the picture to enlarge it. They are in the larger sand pan in the first photo below.
Part of a large Cape Buffalo herd seen from the air pictured below.
The next morning we all drove out to a friend's game farm to spend the weekend. Shortly before arriving at the farm gate, we came across a fresh leopard kill of two wild dogs. One was still quivering and taking it's last few breaths of life. Colin got out of the truck to investigate but quickly got back in after seeing the leopard tracks. Wild dogs and leopards are competing predators and will often kill each other. This time the two wild dogs were no match for the leopard and the fight only lasted a few seconds.
After arriving at the farm, we all loaded onto the big 4x4 cruiser to drive the fence line. Elephants migrate across the property and break the electric fence as they are coming and going, which then allows the plains game to escape. Part of the daily farm routine is to check for any fence breaks, so off we all went.
There are always tracks and things to see while checking the fences, and we would stop to take a closer look now and then.
While driving the road along the fence, we startled a Gemsbok that was digging for a root in the soft sand. We were able to pull up very close before it realized we were there and ran off.
There were numerous little Steenbok that darted through the brush as we drove by.
A young hippo has ended up on our friend's property very far from the delta waters, and because it is the dry season there is very little water for the hippo. Part of the daily chores at the farm has been to take the hippo water and after checking the fence line, we hauled three hundred gallons of water. We could see the hippo wallowing in a mud hole that will hopefully sustain him until the rainy season returns. Next time you think it a chore to give your dog a bowl of water be glad, very glad, that you don't have a pet hippo!
When we returned from our drive, there was time to relax around the camp. Colin enjoyed some quality time with Hurricane, the little Jack Russell Terrier that we cared for a couple of months ago.
As the sun began to set, a fire was started that later was used to cook our dinner.
It was a chilly morning when we all got up the next day. Notice that Jeannine is bundled up as she interacts with our friends dogs.
After eating breakfast, we lingered until the day warmed up before heading out to explore a new piece of property.
The last time we had visited a few months ago, we had been exploring for a good place to build a new camp. Since our last visit, a beautiful Mophane grove has been found and our friends wanted to show the location to us. It took some time to crash through the brush to find the spot.
After walking around the grove and spooking out several Gemsbok and Kudu, we relaxed in the shade of the trees before eating a picnic lunch. Then we loaded back onto the cruiser to return to the farm and on to Maun by late afternoon.
The next morning, Colin flew Jerry, Joan, and Jeannine to Camp Kalahari for a two night adventure in the Makgadikadi Pans. Notice that they are standing in front of a C206 that FMS has leased. It has been very beneficial to have another airplane for the busy tourist season.
When the group returned in the late afternoon of July 6th, Julie had organized a family dinner at our house for the evening. Our friend's from the farm were able to make the gathering that night.
Also a new pilot that FMS has hired, named Kevin, was able to join us. He has been flying for another air-service here in Maun for over the last three years.
Of course, the Kowalski family was in attendance as they are a big part our lives and work in Maun.
Julie got some more snuggle time in with Lily.
And Colin roasted marshmallows outside with Jacob and Abigail after dinner. We have been given the official label of "honorary surrogate grandparents" by Keith and Cheryl.
On the 8th of July, we all headed to the Moremi Game reserve for a day trip. Colin drove with Jerry in a borrowed Toyota truck we arranged for the use of while the Alaska gang was here, and Julie followed behind with all the ladies in our car.
It was a full day with lots of game to see, especially elephants.
The old female in the next photo would not let us go past as we tried to drive into one area.
Packing a picnic lunch is the norm on these outings, and the tail gate of the Toyota truck made for a good table to spread out all the food. After lunch we attempted to travel by the large female again, but she would not let us through. So, we had to abandon that road and go in another direction.
Throughout the day, we saw lots of birds and the usual plains game, like impala, giraffe, zebra among other animals such as baboons,Tsessebe, and Kudu.
We arrived at the park gate just at sunset and then continued into Maun after dark.
At the point of writing this blog, the Alaska gang has ventured off to Victoria Falls for a few days and we will be meeting them at the Mahungo Safari Lodge in Namibia on the 13th. It has given us some time to take care of FMS business and ministry needs before meeting back up with them. On the drive up north, we will stop in Sepopa to see Pusetso and bring her more Sunday school supplies before continuing on to the Caprivi Strip. Much thanks to Jeannine for the use of her photos and to all of you who continue to pray for us. Having company from the states has been a needed encouragement to us as we focus on the completion of our work during this last year in Botswana.
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