Dumela Botswana

 The older I get, the faster time passes me by.  I've so little time left on earth and more things to see and do than time will allow.  My mission is passing much too quickly as well.  It's been a blast, though, and each morning I wake up and with a knowing smile on my face, whisper to a fellow incredulous American missionary, "I'm in Africa!" President and Sister Walker miraculously returned as Mission Leaders last week.  While he's still physically weakened and slightly slower paced, President is as sharp and capable of running this ever-changing and complex mission as well as ever.  In their absence, though, I took on a few more responsibilities such as welcoming newbies at the airport... ...as well as seeing seasoned missionaries off as they leave their 2-year commitment and return home.  I will admit to the shedding of tears as I had grown to love these boys so very much. Our Tongan contingent along with some American kids they trained performed the haka

 Endangered Cape Vultures may be ugly close up, but they are magnificent in flight and they captivated our attention for a couple of hours last P-Day. Roosting and nesting on the cliff side or gliding effortlessly on the air current, these large birds are also known as Griffin Vultures.  Only about 70 mating pairs remain in Botswana most of which reside here in this game reserve. Manyelanong means “where vultures deficate” referring to the white guano-covered cliffside.                                             We do wonder, however, why the monkeys aren’t able to easily scale the cliffs and rob the nest. Perhaps game officials keep the monkey numbers at bay? Is that the reason for all the monkey skulls at its base? Was a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours of vultures watching from our sunny pullout not too deep into the bush of southern Africa.                                       In other news, our new office is bright and sunny and a delightful place from which to work with the