We are traveling to Botswana, Africa, to build and maintain long-term relationships with the people of Botswana.
There are three approaches to going on a Mission Safari:
We are embarking on a Mission Safari to share and show the love and Grace of Jesus Christ through our interactions and service to the people of Botswana.
"Our neighborhood has a working toilet" What a weird thing to say. Our disaster relief team heard this during our early morning briefing before we set out to help those who had lost everything. This was just the beginning of what we would experience for the rest of the day.
Africa has many different types of trees. Each landscape has its own variety. As a training ranger with Sabi Sabi private Game reserve in South Africa, I had the introductory task of identifying more than 90 trees. The requirements were to learn English, scientific and common names, as well as medicinal uses coupled with local folklore. The timeline to achieve this task was ten days or less. A daunting task but one which made me realize how much I could learn from trees but first I had to be willing to take the time and a closer look.
Athens, I Love You has been the slogan for our home church as they work toward moving into their new location. Their slogan represents a perspective from God, and Him saying, “ATHENS... I LOVE YOU, AND I HAVE GREAT PLANS FOR YOU. ” Athens Church, led by Sean Seay, started in 2005 as a strategic partner of North Point Ministries. In the past six years, Athens Church has had one mission: To lead people into a growing relationship with Christ.
The African bush is a beautiful and dangerous place. Just the thought stirs the imagination. I am enthralled with how elaborately nature is pieced together. God is brilliant when it comes to His design and how everything fits perfectly into His plan.
But, because it is beautiful doesn’t mean it isn’t deadly. Creatures big or small must be aware of deception -- deception which may lead to their demise.
For long time devotees of Son Safaris, you'll recognize this as the third iteration of the website. For those of you who've just found us, welcome. Pay no attention to the sites behind the curtain.
We've spent the past few months streamlining and defining what it is we want this website - and Son Safaris - to do. I feel we've finally reached where we want to be in terms of our web presence, but we're nowhere near finished. We will be adding features and content on a regular basis, so make sure you check back often and keep an eye on what we're doing.
In part one of this series I wrote about the extraordinary interaction between the Honeyguide and Honey Badger. The result was one of Africa's most ferocious animals, the Honey Badger, being led by the Honeyguide to a beehive and then leaving a piece of honey comb as a reward for the Honeyguide.
Let's backup a little and begin with Honeyguide and look at this interaction from another angle. The guide has flown around searching for the hive. Eventually this persistent creature finds honey either in a tree or between rocky crags. His instincts demand that he share this energy giving treasure with others so he flies off to tell others of his discovery.
The Honeyguide's quest is to locate one the most feared omnivores in Africa, the Honey Badger. Not for a moment does the guide think that this ruthless creature could eat him on a whim. The little tweeter is on a mission of sharing and is not deterred with negative notions.
The African Honey badger (Mellivora capensis) is one of the most ferocious animals on the African bush. He'll take on just about any animal without hesitation. While leading safaris in Africa I personally have witnessed a badger defend itself against 6 full-grown 250lb female lions and they were basically handed their tails.
Being a honey badger he does enjoy the sweet syrupy nectar provided by bees. Finding beehives is a feat in itself as the hive is usually well hidden from invaders such as the ill-tempered badger.
How then does the badger find this elusive delicacy?
Son Safaris, Inc. is one year old! On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, Son Safaris was incorporated as a non-profit charitable corporation in by the State of Georgia. What a blessed, wonderful year this first year has been! As if to say happy birthday, the IRS granted Son Safaris, Inc. 501(c)3 tax exempt status retroactive to it’s incorporation. What a fine birthday present for a one year non-profit mission!
I’ve been so busy I hardly have time to think! My calendar for October is already booked solid with Son Safaris presentations at churches, retreats, and various other events. The first weekend of October, I will be heading up to Pennsylvania to speak at the state wide Campus Ministry retreat hosted by the Christian Student Fellowship at Penn State.