Adventures in Africa: Part 5

Are y'all tired of Africa yet? I apologize if you are, but we were truly touched and affected on this trip and writing is my way of documenting the memories. The hunting was amazing and a big part of our trip, but we came away with so much more. Yes, most of the contact we have with people who have visited Africa are through hunting friends and every single person has said that Africa gets into your blood and once you've visited, you WILL go back. That's not going to happen for us. We're far from wealthy and we saved for many years for this trip and we are extremely honored to have had the opportunity to experience it. That's probably the reason we soaked up every moment and why you're probably tired of my Africa posts. :)

Yes, our trip was incredible. The land is lovely. The people are fascinating. The wildlife is breathtaking. But the country is in political and economic chaos and on the brink of complete collapse under Mugabe's regime.

Warning: Political post ahead. Just in case you want to opt out. Its not a rant, just an observation. With our own country divided, and with problems of its own, it seemed to be quite a contrast so this post is a little different from my previous posts about our trip.

 Unemployment is over 90% in Zim. Can you imagine if that were the case here?! In town, people are just walking everywhere. Many are sitting on the side of the roads with a maybe 4 oranges and 3 onions, in hopes of selling them. This was the headline on the front page of their paper one day:

Through the 70's. Zimbabwe was known as the 'bread basket' of Africa. The abundance of natural resources is staggering, but the government got greedy and the "Rhodesian Bush War" took its toll on the land and the people and in 1979, the "Internal Settlement" which was meant to end the dispute, was only the beginning. The black government heralded in the end of white minority rule. Where once 5000 farms flourished and brought prosperity to the land, now there are less than 200 working farms. Tobacco was a huge cash crop. The government walked onto your farm and into your house and gave you orders to vacate immediately. You could take one suitcase and one vehicle and if you chose to take the kettle and officials didn't want you to take it, you walked off without it. It happened to our PH's in-laws. The farms were taken from the white land owners and turned over to the blacks with no compensation. I don't want to start a racial discussion. This is just history and had the situation been reversed, it would have been just as tragic.

Today in Zimbabwe, as a white man, you can not own property. You may own a house and the yard, but you may not own other property. Every single home is surrounded by an 8-12 foot concrete wall, topped with razor wire, and an automatic solid, steel gate. The businesses, like the guest houses, have armed guards sitting inside the gate.

 Electricity is unreliable at its best. 3 to 4 times a week, it goes out for 12-18 hours. Water is the same. Home owners rely on generators and save to install their own wells. Its a country spiraling out of control and visiting with Roy and Rich and Buzz and Myles, it isn't moving in a positive direction. They all have small children and the future is bleak. Children are shipped off to other countries like Australia for University and it is doubtful they will return...there is no hope for their future in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe is 90 years old and the people we talked to are holding their breath. There is great uncertainty as to what direction their country will take when he is no longer in power. We were very thankful that transition did not take place while we were there.

The lady that works in the office said that her parents had to move and they chose to move to Dubai. Her father was a manager in a plant and his entire paycheck for the month was only enough to purchase 4 rolls of toilet paper...if you could even find any on the shelves. Their currency collapsed and is worthless. The government kept printing money and adding zeros. We found these gift bags made from their currency:

All business is based on the American dollar. They talk about going out to eat and taking entire suitcases filled with Zimbabwe currency in order to pay for an inexpensive meal. Needless to say, people don't go out to eat.

Y'all know I love my dirt road, but this trip made me realize that I have got to get out more and at least read about more of what goes on in the world. I read a lot and I try to keep up with the news, but we all know that the American mainstream media does a poor job of reporting world affairs.

As we headed out on our Adventure, I later found out that the big news was the Cecil the Lion story. Yes, the lion should not have been killed, but with all the things taking place in the world today, is that really what needs to be the top story?

I thought this article said it well: Voices of Africa

I'm betting y'all are thinking: "Thank goodness she doesn't leave her dirt road very often!" LOL

Dear Senator McCain

Dear Senator McCain,


These past few days I have felt compelled to write down these thoughts that have been rushing about in my head so here I sit. First and foremost, I must thank you. Thank you for being a hero during a time when heros are few and far between. Thank you for your service to our country, past, present and future. The sacrifice's you have made are greatly appreciated. Thank you for standing up for all that is right and good for so many years when so many only follow the crowd. Thank you for choosing a side and not sitting on the fence. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in, for believing in the America that our forefathers fought to bring to life and for fighting to preserve it and the freedoms and values that America was built upon. Thank you for your selflessness when so many today only think of themselves. Thank you for your faith -"In God we trust" is always worth fighting for.




One of my favorite books is Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation - thank you for giving me the opportunity of discussing this with my children and then pointing to you as a highly regarded member of this very special group. We have had many fabulous conversations around the dinner table this past year and you have been in the center of so many of them. My husband and I have enjoyed the discussions about economics, government, history and the election process with our 2 teenage children. I'm proud that our son wishes to serve his country through the military.




And thank you for taking the time to make a stop in the little town of Roswell, New Mexico. I can't begin to tell you how very honored I was to have been a part of that! We were thrilled to take part in both rallys and it's an experience I will never forget. As a new American citizen, this was my first year to vote and I was honored to cast that all important vote for you and Governor Palin. This was my son's first year to vote as well and it was exciting to see his enthusiasm in the election process. He jumped at the opportunity to volunteer at the Republican Headquarters when he was in town and came home excited and passionate about your campaign and the vision you had for this country each time.



I must also thank your family for the sacrifices they have made along the way. The long, crazy hours; the intense schedule, the endless miles, the probing media coverage - it must be brutile. They handled it all with amazing grace.



On the subject of your choice for a vice presidential running mate: Sarah Palin was a brilliant choice!


I truly believe our country is a better place because of you. It's comforting to know that there are still people, although admittedly too few, out there who are willing to put their country first. I'm proud to be an American for numerous reasons, one of them being that America is still the land of heros and one of those heros just happens to be named John McCain. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family sir. Thank you and may God continue to bless America - he has done so in you.

Warning: Politics Ahead!

It doesn't matter what position you hold, I don't think anyone will argue that this year is filled with intense passion on both sides of the fence and at this point in the race, I think everyone's just growing plain weary of politics. That being said, I am going to go out on a limb and break the rule about discussing politics. I've always been a rebel anyway. Grin! After all, we are a country built on freedoms and this is my blog and I simply want to put my thoughts down because I am excited! After all these years I am finally an American citizen and this is my first year to vote in a Presidential Election! I can't wait! My excitement finally bubbled over yesterday - Sarah Palin had scheduled a stop in town and we were NOT going to miss it! Even if it meant waking groggy children in a hotel room early yesterday morning, in Abeline, Tx, where we had attended my niece's beautiful wedding, the night before, in order to make the 5 hour trip back in time to attend the rally.

We had 30 minutes at home before heading to town where we stood for 4.5 hours in support of the McCain/Palin ticket. I was shocked by the huge crowd and long lines. The endless boothes selling buttons and hats and shirts and all manner of political paraphernalia looked like the entrance to a concert.

I'll admit, it was a LONG wait and it was HOT, but it was an amazing experience! I really got excited when a man with a guitar appeared and they announced Hank Williams Jr! Very cool. I enjoy his music a lot although I wasn't sure he was the best choice for representing conservative, moral values! Grin! But there I was, rocking out with everyone else and it suddenly occurred to me that I was acting just like a teenager! LOL!



I love that the kids were excited about attending this rally! This is DS's first time to vote too. They were all good at entertaining each other during the long wait.

When Sarah Palin arrived, I really got excited. I love her. No, she does not have the foreign policy experience that everyone keeps harping on, but neither does Obama and he's running for President! Everyone keeps taking about change. I think she's a breath of fresh air and combined with John MaCain's record, I think they make a good team! I like what they stand for and I had ball yesterday!

I wasn't very confident that I would be able to snap any decent pictures, but I am pleased with the ones I captured.

I hung around after the rally in hopes of getting the opportunity to just shake her hand and I ended up not only shaking her hand, but getting a hug from her, getting her autograph and visiting with her for just a few seconds. She said, thank you, ma'am and that it's people like me that they want to represent and that they really appreciate our support. After she chatted with a few others, she looked back over at me and looked at me directly and said, "Thank you!" Even though there were thousands of people clammoring for her attention, she focused on me for just a minute and that made a huge impression on me. This gal speaks my language and darn if I didn't want to invite her over for a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and a round of skeet! It would have had to be a huge pie in order to feed the multitude of secret service men that flanked her from all directions though.

I believe in the issues they support and here's a list of reasons why they'll get my vote on November 4th:

1. National Security
2. Military / Defense - no-one favors war, but the fact is, we are a free country because throughout the years, we have been willing to fight for that freedom and defend our nation.
3. Pro-Life
4. Tax Policy
5. Experience
6. Energy Policy
7. Less intrusion of federal government
8. Character
9. Integrity
10. Honor
11. Ethics
12. Will not simply redistribute income, but will create income via an increase in jobs and let families choose how to spend it, not government.

I'm not looking for a debate here. Just voicing my opinion and excitement about living in a country where we have a voice to do just that.

I know things have a been a mess, but I think its our own fault. The economy's a mess because we've become a country of excess. A country who has become accustomed to living above their means. A Country who thinks everything should be handed to us on a silver platter. We have drifted away, far away, from the principles this country was founded on - namely, and most importantly - we have wandered out and away from God. The men who founded this amazing nation were Godly men who knew what was most important. They relied on His guidance daily. It scares me greatly to think just how lost we have become.

The Republican ticket is running on a slogan of 'Country First'. That's a big improvement over the 'Me First' slant I'm getting from the opponent, but how about we get back to what it really should be, "God First".

A friend and I were discussing this and she said that God will never remove His hand from His people, but I do think he has removed his hand from this country. That pretty much sums it up. Lets pray that we find our way back and put our trust back in God. That's the only change that really matters.