Safari Trip

Wow what an amazing weekend. We left Rivervalley Campsite around 9 am on Saturday for Ruaha National park. We stopped at a museum on the way that showcased a local warrior that fought against the Germans in the 1800’s. They even allowed us to hold the shields and spears and sit on the seats that were used when people became chiefs. It was strange being able to touch the exhibits.

We got to the park mid-afternoon. It took around two and a half hours to get there. It was very warm and sunny. We saw elephants and Giraffes on the way into the park. Once inside the park we saw lots of impala, zebra, elephants and 6 lions lying under bushes. My favorite was when we were taking pictures of 6 lions lying under a bush. Keith and Laura were standing up taking pictures through the sun roofs and Luke had his window rolled down taking pictures. All of a sudden Luke turns around to me and says “I think it wants us to leave”. One of the lions just did a low growl. We were about 10 – 15 feet away from them. We did move on shortly after that! J

We also got to see elephants really close to us as well. We saw an elephant right beside the road eating branches from a tree. Soon there were others coming up. We were able to watch them walk across the road in front of us.

The lion growling at us

Later in the day we watched about 30 elephants eating and walking around. A family of elephants started crossing the road in front of us when an elephant on the other side got upset and chased them back. They walked passed us and crossed the road behind our truck.

On Sunday we were able to see a lion eating a giraffe that was killed the day before. As we watched another lion approached. We were prepared to see a fight but once the lion eating saw who was approaching he allowed her to eat with him. She must have been ‘family’. J

One of the last things we did on Sunday before leaving the park was stopping by a dry riverbed. There was a cluster of trees with park benches. We were able to get out and stretch our legs. We could sit on the benches and see giraffes on one side and elephants on the other. It was amazing and strange to be sitting on park benches watching these wild animals.

Luke and Nikki at the base of a baobab tree.

One of the funniest things we saw was the warthogs. They look soo funny as they are running away from you.

 Nikki wished we could have seen cheetahs but loved seeing the animals. Luke loved seeing 25 lions. Laura loved seeing all the zebras, especially some baby zebras (her favorite animal). Chris loved the giraffes and elephants. Keith had fun taking lots of video and pictures of all the animals.

We saw hippos, crocodiles, elephants, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, storks, pied kingfisher birds, guineas , water buffalo, impalas, jackals, dik diks (very small deer), baboons, monkeys, and many kinds birds.

Oh I almost forgot, while traveling to and from the park we had to slow down for cows crossing the road. Oh and the funny thing was we also saw chickens crossing the road.

Update and Saturday morning fun!

 

We have been at language school now for 2 weeks. We have learned a lot but have a lot yet to learn. We are now able to go to town and shop using only Swahili. That was a good feeling. The kids are doing well with school and are now into the swing of it. Having school with Laura is no longer fun, the novelty has worn off. This past week the kids and Laura had 2 hours of Swahili lessons each day. Nikki could say things correctly the first day when it took Keith and I 2-3 days to say it correctly. Oh to be a kid. I think the close quarters is starting to wear on everyone adn we are also together most of the day. The kids seem to be getting irrated with each other a little quicker today.

Yesterday morning we walked with the rest of the group to a zipline that goes over the river. The kids loved it, and even Laura liked it.

The weather is still the same. Cool mornings and evening, windy and sunny. We are looking forward to the safari trip we are taking next weekend. We leave Riverside Campsite (where we are staying) on Saturday morning and will return Sunday evening. We will be staying in Bandhas (cabins) inside the park. There was a group that went a couple weeks ago and they saw lots of animals. So we are hoping for that as well. We will drive through the park Saturday early evening and Sunday morning, which is when the animals are most active so we are excited about that. We will not be driving but will have a guide driving the vehicle.

Watch for pictures!

Fun times!

 

We’ve been at language school for one week and we were so ready for the weekend. So far we have learned greetings, some verbs, nouns, tenses, numbers, months and days of the week.

It seems it is always windy here and today it seems to be exceptionally windy. It is very dry right now and the next rainy season doesn’t start till the end of October. The sky is very blue and the stars are so bright. We can see the Milky Way and it is so clear and easy to see. The dirt is very sandy and below the sand it is red clay. The people of TZ are so friendly and helpful.

This morning we walked to some gullies. They are at the base of a mountain and collects the run off during the rainy seasons. We had fun climbing around them and found some quartz rocks. Luke even found an arrowhead.

Our cabin has a very nice porch, one large room which has our bed and a single bed. The small back room, which has no door, has a set of bunkbeds. Off this room is our bathroom. It is bigger than the guest house in Dar but is still small for 4 people. Our week days are busy so we aren’t around the cabin much.

Things we need to remember when taking a shower is turn the water heater on 45-60 minutes before showering. Don’t get any water in your mouth. The water comes from the river by our cabin. We get all wet, turn the water off and then suds up. Turn the water back on and rinse off. The next person should wait ½ an hour before showering. If we don’t do it this way we will run out of hot water, just part of life for us right now in Africa.

We've arrived!

We had a very good trip to TZ. We had just enough time to go into London to see Buckingham palace, the double decker buses, Big Ben, Westminster Abby and the red phone booths (Laura’s favorite). It was perfect weather be walking around London. Our pilot said it would be overcast and rainy and it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.

We arrived in Dar es Salaam (TZ capitol) around 6:30 Tuesday morning.  All of our luggage arrived except one tote. We are praying it arrives by Saturday when we leave for language school. It has the DVD players in it that the kids are hoping to have at language school plus some of Keith’s techy stuff.  The kids slept a good bit on the second flight so that was a huge blessing. It is much easier for the kids to curl up in a plane seat than it is for us adults.

We are staying at the guest house at the offices in Dar. It was wonderful to take a shower this morning when we arrived. It never rains this time of year in Dar and guess what it has rained off and on all day today. I guess we just brought the rain with us. But as Luke said we kept in our suitcases while in London because it was a sunny day.

Upon arriving at the offices/guest house we met a family that is driving to language school on Saturday so we will be able to follow them. We were thrilled to hear that. We don’t have to navigate the TZ roads alone.

Last week of ICC Training

We have two days left of training then we are off to PA to see our family and friends before leaving for Tanzania (TZ) on Sept. 11. I can’t believe we are 11 days from leaving. It doesn’t seem real.

We have learned a lot while at training, but I have a feeling that we really won’t know how much we have learned until we are living in TZ. That is where we will be able to apply what we have talked about in our classes. One of my favorite things was the off road course that we did last Saturday. I didn’t realize how much fun I would have driving in the woods and through water. We have had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and making new ones. The kids have made some wonderful friends and the nice thing is they will probably get to see these friends again some day.

As I think about our week of goodbyes, I want to cry, even though it hasn’t started yet. I am excited about seeing family and friends we haven’t seen for month, yet sad that it will be the last time for a while. The kids are excited to see cousins and friends.

I am thankful we do not have to do this alone. God will help us through every step of the way. Please be praying for us and our families as we say goodbye and move to TZ.

Completed Our First Week of Training

Yes it has been a long time since updating our blog. Thought now that we are in training we can update everyone on what we are doing. We now have our bins packed for TZ and moved out of our house. It was such a huge relief to have that done. Yes there are things I have thought of in the last week that are in the wrong place (in storage vs. in bins for TZ). Now I have to decide if it should be moved or not. 

We arrived in NC on Tuesday Aug 2^nd. We got settled in and have now had a week of classes. Before classes started I took the opportunity to type up some of our favorite recipes so we can take them along. There is no room for all my 3 binders I use regularly.

Since training has started:

- We have started memorizing Philippians 2:1-11

- Learning how to study the Bible without other books or commentaries.

- Learned how to help our MKs (missionary kids)

- Learned about health issues we may encounter and helpful books and resources

- How our background and culture will affect how we react and respond in a new culture

- Attended an Ethiopian church last Sunday which we will continue to attend for the rest of the month.

I want to just say that we all enjoyed our time at the church. The service was 2 hours- in a language we didn't understand. The first hour was singing, communion, announcements and offering. The kids were allowed to participate in communion. Luke decided to and did very well. He does not like grape flavors and he drank the grape juice without gagging. And he is ready to do it again.

The kids have children’s church during the sermon. Luke and Nikki did not want to go at first but then we were told it is in English. They were still hesitant but then went when Keith offered to take them out. They loved it and even sang some songs they knew.

Keith and I wished we could have understood the sermon. God blessed us with someone sitting behind us that leaned forward and summarized in English what he had said, especially when he told stories. He talked on the Heb. 11:32-38. How you have to have faith even when things look really bad and to have faith God will answer your prayers. When you don’t have the faith he will help us through whatever we are dealing with we need to repent of our lack of faith.

The pastor has invited us for Ethiopian food the last Sunday we are there, which Keith and I are really looking forward to it. We are also looking forward to attending again this Sunday.

July Update

Two Weeks to go!    

It is hard to believe, but in two weeks we need to be packed up and moved out of our house! Please pray that we will be focused, productive and not overwhelmed as we finish up all the details for our move.

Our Schedule:

-          July 30 - Move out of our house

-          Aug 1 - Leave for North Carolina for a month of training

-          Labor Day week - Spend time with family

-          September 11 - Our last Sunday at our home church and then we fly to Tanzania in the afternoon

-          September  to January 2012 -   3 months of Swahili language school and a month of orientation (in Tanzania)

-          February - Move to Musoma, Tanzania

Packing for Tanzania

As we pack up the house, we have to decide what to store (in a local rental unit), what to take to Tanzania with us, and what to get rid off. Most of our luggage will be in the above totes (probably 13 plus some suitcases). It is too difficult and expensive to ship large items or large boxes to Tanzania. So, we will take everything with us on the plane. We will then purchase furniture, appliances, and anything else we need once we get there. While there are some items available in the town we will be living, most will come from large cities such as Dar es Salaam or Nairobi.

Our New Wheels!

We have arranged to purchase a vehicle from another missionary that is leaving Tanzania. It is a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser. It is in great shape (I rode in it when I was there in December). As a part of our training in August, we will have a class on owning a 4 wheel drive. They will teach us how to get "unstuck" and maintain our 4 wheel drive truck. Chris and I are both looking forward to that class! It will be fun and very helpful!
    

Financial Update

We have enough financial commitments to meet our monthly financial need. We only need $7,000 to meet our launching expense needs. We are amazed at how God has provided and very thankful for everyone who has helped. Remember no gift is too small!

If you would like to give towards our launching expenses, please send your check to Wycliffe (address below) and include a note saying : "For Keith & Christine Bitikofer's overseas launching expense fund 270913-71".

 If you would like to give towards our general financial needs, you can donate with a credit card or direct from your checking account. Please click the link below:

http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=D4BB23 

http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=D4BB23

You can also send checks, payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators, to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, P O Box 628200, Orlando FL  32862. Please don't write our names on the checks. Include a note that the gift is for "the ministry of Keith Bitikofer missionary family".

 Thanks for being a part of our team and for all your encouragement, prayer and financial partnerships! We are constantly amazed by it and appreciate it so much!

Keith, Christine, Luke and Nikki