Every beginning has an end
Hey all, well we made it back alive and we all got to see some awesome creation. My personal favorite was the leopard, the first I've seen in 4 trips to Etosha. It was such a beautiful creature, even though it was too far away to get a great view. The five who joined my car in the afternoon were also incredibly excited to be the only group to see lions! That's right, two male lions lying in the shade less than 20 yards from our car. Our elephant encounters were quite an exciting highlight as well, but you'll have to wait for the pictures to see how close those were. :)Well, as promised I stole away for a few hours to work on a new video and I'm sure it won't disappoint. This one's a dance video with footage from a bunch of the shows and other opportunities to teach kids. For all those interested in Mpampo team footage, sorry, I travel with the dance team so that's the video I have. Plus dancing makes for better video footage than wielding chainsaws and cutting down trees. :) Also, again it's a Windows Media File so Mac users, find a PC. Ok, here it is...Enjoy!
Well, this will probably be my last chance to post from Africa. I must say it's been a heck of an adventure and I will be sorry to leave. Fortunately, the relationships built on this trip don't end when we step off the plane in Boston. I've really been coming to see this whole trip as a promising beginning rather than an end. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support on this trip. Thanks, dance parents, for lending us your daughters. It's been incredible experiencing this whole trip with them and watching them grow through it all. I'm excited to see what will come of the impact this trip has made on their lives. Signing off from Africa,
mike
ps. Jaimie wanted me to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her dad. Know that she's thinking of you!
posted by mike @ 3:28 PM
14 Comments:
I can't get the video...try again Mike!!!
Mike,
The video and photos are breathtaking beyond words! It's hard to see it through the tears---but it gets clearer after a few hundred times!!! Thank You so much for being a part of our lives and sharing so much of yourself with our girls on this trip! Look forward to hearing from you from one of the airports?? See you soon in Boston!
Mike...the pictures and videos are breathtaking!!! although I almost drowned watching that video...after a million times!! thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us throughout the trip...you now have 16 new sisters!!! looking forward to Sunday night..have a safe and fun trip home!! our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you throughout your travels!!! Can't wait to see you Steffy!!! luv you!!
Mike thanks for the videos and messages. To all the rest of the CCA friends, thank you isn't enough for sharing this time with the girls.
Samantha what a way to end 14 years of dancing at MHDC. Who would have imagined my Minnie Mouse(1st dance) to putting yourself out-there in Africa, both physically and mentally. WOW!!!
To the seniors take this memory with you to college and remember it when times seem lonely. To those still remaining at MHDC next year, enjoy it, it goes by fast. Just remember what dancing really is all about, bringing joy to those who watch you perform.
Samantha can't wait for your return home. See you Sunday or rather Monday am!!!!
LOVE,
Mom
W-O-W. This experience is so hard to classify, with elements of volunteer work, wild adventure, going on a retreat, performing on tour, camping out, looking deep within, and reaching out. Besides being just darn entertaining, the pictures and videos help bring it all home to us, literally and figuratively. Wonderful job, Team! Not many things in life compare to what you've accomplished. Darin, Mike and all the leaders: thank you.
Talk about kids helping kids.... making a difference....becoming a family....giving your all....no man is an island....moving out of your comfort zone....it takes a village....seizing the day.... memories of a lifetime....
You all have accomplished what the song says:
"Reach out and touch, somebody's hand.
Make this world a better place, if you can."
A heartfelt congratulations. Godspeed.
Bonnie's Dad
Im a student at mhdc and i occassionally check up on the blog. From the pictures and videos as well as the journal entrees, the trip sounds so incredible!
But i do have to say, it makes me proud to be apart of a studio who cares so much and spreads joy as well as education to others. I Hope you all had the best time. Good job guys! What you are doing is so awesome!!! i Hope someday i can be apart of such a great team and travel to Africa or what not. Keep it up. Arrive home safely. See you all in class.
I can see this is going to be a weekend of tears....starting this morning with the pictures and video....now thanks to Bonnie's Dad for the song....you're adding to the flood in Manchester!
STOP!!!! I'M DROWNING OVER HERE!!!! GUESS WHO????
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I'm coming over to rescue you! Stay out of the pool so it doesn't overflow!
Thanks, Mike, for the great pictures and the heartwarming video. I have watched the video four times so far, and each time it brings tears to my eyes. Great job! And girls - you are WONDERFUL! YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE!!
Have fun on your trip back to the States. Best wishes for a safe trip home. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you again for sharing your wonderful journey.
Love,
Grandma Blicker
Wow! You guys are doing awsome in Africa! I saw the video...It's so great seeing everyone having a good time! Not alot time left you guys! The trip is almost over! Trips so go by so fast!
Well, I hope you guys have a safe trip back! See you soon!
Love,
Eric =)
I'M SORRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYY!
I haven't responded to ANY of your journal entries in so long; I had to go to my grandmother's house for a few days, in which there are NO computers in her whole house (she doesn't know how to work one). I just hope I caught you guys in time before you left! This will probably be my last comment on this page forever, and so if there's enough time for you to read this comment, thank you. I just wanted to say how proud I am of EVERYONE. From the minute you left my sight at the airport to this very moment, I have missed you all so much! Every spare moment I had I thought of you guys. If I bought a gift or ate an ice cream cone, I would think of everyone in Africa and feel so guilty! But I'm sure anything you have experienced there is far more rewarding than watching a DVD or playing mini golf.I would have given anything to be on that trip with you, but since it's already been done, there's really no reason to be jealous. Sure, it's the experience of a lifetime, it'll change the way you live forever, and it gives you a completely new outlook on things, but really... there's no reason to be jealous.... ;)
I can't wait for you guys to come back. Every night has been a night waiting to see your cute little faces again! Everyone has been so proud of you, and missing you and loving you so much, it's hard to put into words how much you mean to us. I'm arguing with my mom right now, begging her to let me get to the airport Sunday night/ Monday morning, but I don't know if she's going to let me go. I guess you'l find out when you arrive in Boston...
After these two weeks, I still can't believe you've been in Africa this whole time. I CAN'T WAIT until you come home so you can tell me EVERY LAST DETAIL of your amazing experience! I hope you guys had an awesome time. What you just did changed the whole world in a humungous way. I'm so proud to know you guys, who have changed the lives of so many children and adults. Please come home safely! I love you ALL!
~~Lauren~~
It has taken me all day to gather my thoughts. I have watched the video numerous times, picking out new details with each viewing. I have gazed for long moments at the new pictures. How calming! (Despite the description of nature's food chain). How fortunate all of you have been to not only see these animals, but in a ‘zoo” like no other...their natural environment. The pictures posted look like things I see in books, but you were there.
I hope your last debrief was rewarding and brought closure.
Because I posted so late, I know this will probably not make it to your ears before you get home. It does not diminish the message. I’ve been sending lots of things telepathically for two weeks…and will again tonight…
Strong enough hearts to leave knowing you’ve done well. That you offered all you can.
Open minds to keep the memories alive, and reflect on lessons learned.
Comfort in knowing the friendships have grown strong and new ones were born.
Travel safe…wishing on time departures, smooth air and gentle landings.
Love to you all…
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