Traveling from Juba to Pajok

      Before leaving the U.S. for South Sudan, the director for the group, Don Humphrey, expressed concern as to the condition of the road from Juba, the capital of South Sudan to Pajok, near the border with Uganda. While it is a major road from the capital of South Sudan going into Uganda, the road is in dreadful condition. Even when it is dry the road is difficult to navigate. But, add rain and mud and the road can easily become impassable.

         We are to the halfway point in the 90 mile journey when the rains start coming down heavily. It comes just at the time we are about to get off a tarmac road and make the remainder of the trip on a dirt back road. In moments the mud becomes evident, and as we continue the trip our progress slows, and the mud and water grows deeper.

             The last 28 miles of the trip takes us 8 hours. At each drip, and every massive sinkhole and puddle, we question if we are going to sink in and not get out. A little after dark we make it to Pajok. As with the road we are faced with very remote conditions, and we have had to bring our water and flood with us from the U. S. and from Juba. It is the beginning of a week of work and evaluation of a series of new programs being carried out in this new nation.

Traveling Back to Africa

     We jump from travel in the western part of the United States to a destination halfway around the world, some 9,000 miles from home in Indiana.

      In the next few entries we will be taking you to a nation that is only one year old ... South Sudan, Africa. Stay tuned in. It's going to be a great trip.

Travel the Loop Road in the Badlands

"When you are heading west on Route # 90 in South Dakota it might be easy to schedule yourself right past the Badlands National Park without stopping. Don't make that mistake. It only takes about 2 hours to route yourself around the Loop Road. Take it. You will be glad you did."

View of the Badlands - Loop Road

Loop Road takes you into Badlands

Good Road all the way

Hiking into the Badlands

Peaks Loom Above the Road

Bus Load of Tourists Stop for the View

View of the Badlands

Near the Main Gate on the East End

Thoughts from a Bison

Oh, its a great day to be a bison, a bison in Yellowstone. I just love it in the spring, walking around and eating, eating and walking around.

Oh, no, here come those people with their camera again. Pictures, pictures and more pictures. How would you like it if we had a camera and we followed you around taking pictures all day? Huh? How would you like it?

I think I'll go down to the next field and maybe they will go away. I think it will be easier to get away if I walk down the road instead of through the field.

Oh yeh! Mom said to always look both ways before getting out on the road. You might get hit. There are a lot of crazy drivers out there. I guess they might not see a bison walking down the road. Go figure!

Well, do you have your camera for this one? How do you like this view? There, hope that makes you go away so I can eat in peace!

Don't Throw Caution to the Wind

We moved into the open field, all the time watching the line of trees and shrubs off to our left. Near the tree line the big, black bear eyed us cautiously. 

Nearby a very young cub played near the trunk of the tree uncaring, or unknowing of our presence. 

The mother bear was not so oblivious, and she watched our every move. We stopped and watched them for a time. She stared back at us from the protection of the trees and shrubs. It was not long before we took into account our vulnerability. About that same time the mother must have realized her vulnerability and that of her cub as well. 

As we began a slow retreat back toward the car, she reached up and pulled the cub down from the tree, and soon they disappeared in the underbrush in the distance. We were well within the Smoky Mountain National Park. Watching cautiously over our shoulder we reached the car and left the area without incident.

Trailers Leave, Funding Needed

     The three trailers containing 30,000 school textbooks have left Austin, Texas on the way to schools all over Malawi. Briele has done her job. She obtained the books from the Austin School System, and the Western Hill Church of Christ has raised over $20,000.00 in spite of being a congregation of only a little over 100. The total cost for shipping is $38,000.00.

     Now we need your help. Most often the size of the programs of the Malawi Project leave many people feeling their contribution will not amount to much. This is not true. The Project does not have contributors that fund massive parts of the program. The funds that come to the Malawi Project come from donations of $25,00, $50,00 or $100.00. Sometimes someone will send $500.00, but this is an exception. Your check, along with others, is the life blood of what we do. Please consider helping with the textbook shipping. Send your contribution to Malawi Project, 1365  5th Ave, Terre Haute, IN 47807 and mark it  "textbooks". Thanks for your help.

Return of the Bird

1.            Flight to Tower: Breaking Away from the formation.

            Tower: We have you on radar. Commence final approach.

 

2.            Flight: Roger that. Beginning Decent.

            Tower: Begin turn to the left, continuing approach.

3.            Flight: Roger that. Turning to the left.

            Tower: We have you on visual. Continue decent.

4.            Flight: Have landing zone in sight. Down to 1,100 feet.

            Tower: Slow airspeed. Don’t want to see you overshoot.

5.            Flight: Roger that. Slowing airspeed.

            Tower: Begin lowering your feet.

6.            Flight: Roger that. Feet down and angled.

            Tower: You are under the radar.

 

7.            Flight: Right. I am standing on the roof, stupid!