Eucharist in the Maasai Mara - our final days and good byes

June 11^th to 14th

Arden and Henry, one degree South of the Equator.

Barbara sported the Safari look.

Saturday morning we departed early for Wilson Airport and Safari in the Maasai Mara. Some of us have been here several times. Each time is different - different animals, different guides and different traveling companions.  And much is familiar - the welcoming manager and staff of the  Fig Tree Lodge, our guide, Nickson. Wonderful meals, vast savannahs dotted with grazing animals, bumpy roads and river crossings are memories we will take 

River Crossings were as fun as any Six Flags ride.

home.  

















We will all remember the young leopard up at tree with his kill, a Thompson’s Gazelle.  We watched as he climbed down from the tree after we disturbed his rest, his belly distended from eating. As we left him we wonder who will finish his kill; will it be shared with others? Since the leopard is a solitary animal, maybe only he will feast until he grows tired and goes to search for water and the vultures arrive.

Beginning of the Great Migration.

The Great Migration will begin soon – we saw the early arrivers – small groups of wildebeest and zebras. We saw several groups of elephants with young which is encouraging since they continue to be hunted for their tusks.

Two of many elephants we saw.

On the lookout for big cats hiding in the grass.

Male lion returning from a hunt.

Mother lion with her cubs.

Judith with one of our Maasai guides.

Ruth on the Tanzania/Kenya border.

A very civilized bush breakfast in the wilderness included coffee in china cups.

Perhaps most memorable to us will be celebrating the Eucharist in the Mara with Ruth and Benno presiding.  Our Maasai guides and drivers joined us in the Eucharistic feast, one even crossing himself at the appropriate times.  Perhaps the Catholic missionaries have been here before us.

The Reverends Ruth and Benno Pattison presided over the Eucharist in the Mara.  "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us."

"The Blood of Christ which was shed for you. Preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life." Our guides said this is the first time any of their groups had held a church service in the Mara.

An educational experience was the visit to the Maasai Village where we learned how these once nomadic people live. Today they still herd, but move their villages less and the children go to the village school and get involved in the tourist business. Many do get advanced educations in law and wildlife management. They are working hard to keep their culture from slipping away. The dance and chanting by the groups of men and woman was earthy and guttural.

We returned Monday night to Karen Inn for our last night and shopping and reflections. We shopped at a corner street market for fabric, beaded belts and bracelets where we haggled for a good price, a practice which is challenging for some and frustrating for others.

Tuesday we visited the Elephant Orphan Center, Karen Blitzen’s (Out of Africa) home and the Kazuri bead center.

The words from Karen’s book resounded in our heads:

“I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong hills …” We stood on her farm where her relationship with the Kikuyu people inspired the village, now a home of many expats and wealthy Kenyans, to be named for her. We will all read the book or watch the movie when we get home.

“If I know a song of Africa, does Africa know a song of me?”

Our last night at Karen Inn we reflected on our days together and the process of returning home. Stewart and Henry surprised us with the dance and chanting of the Maasai tribesmen complete with shukas and clubs.

Final thoughts to ponder as we depart for home:

How do we leave?

What did we pack we did not need?

What do we leave and what do we take home? – a rock for many of us and a spirit for others

A stone from Tanzania where for a moment we were illegal

I am here now.

I am because you are.

A new understanding of mission.

Relationships.

Indelible marks: moments that mark your soul

“You’re are not African because you are born in Africa.

You’re African because Africa is born in you”