While Kamryn and Roger were visiting us last week, we drove north to Pretoria.

On the way to Pretoria we visited the Voortrekker Monument. Over 120 feet in height it was built to commemorate The Day of the Covenant. On December 16, 1838, 470 Dutch pioneers (Voortrekkers) were attacked by approximately 20,000 Zulus lead by their chief Dingane. Prior to the commencement of The Battle of Blood River the Voortrekkers had entered into a covenant with God that if He would help them win the battle they would always worship Him.

Located near the monument is a small fort with a "hospitaal". An appropriate picture for Dr. and Mrs. Stimpson.

I had to get a picture with Oom (uncle) Paul Kruger. The first President of the Boer Republic of the Transvaal.

The Voortrekker Monument sits on a hill outside of Pretoria. It can been seen for miles.

Inside the monument is a large granite slab on which are written the words, "Ons es vir jou, Suid Afrika" (We are for you, South Africa). Every December 16th, through a hole in the top of the monument the sun shines directly on these words. Afrikaans believe it reflects Heavenly Father's feelings towards South Africa. The Voortrekkers were victorious in the Battle of Blood River suffering no deaths, while over 3,000 Zulus were killed.

There are 64 ox wagons surrounding the Voortrekker Monument. These represent the 64 wagons which formed the laager protecting the Voortrekkers.

Today in South Africa December 16th has been renamed the Day of Reconciliation with the intention of reconciling the races and unifying the nation.

Before heading to Kruger Nation Park for the Rhino Rescue, we met some lion cubs.

And made a giraffe a friend.

We also visited the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Mom gave the new statue of Nelson Mandela a high 5.

Visiting the monument were lots of school children who also wanted to give Nelson a high 5.

Before we leave the Rhino Rescue, I need to mention that after the rhino has been tagged, we get to name him. This fellow was named Harry after our oldest grandson, Harrison Shupe. 

Kamryn and Roger were visiting us this past week. We did some fun things but maybe the best was a Rhino Rescue mission in Kruger Park. Can you find Mom in this picture?

Lot's of smiles before the real work began.

Maybe one of the prettiest zebras I've seen. Very clean white and black.

Some of couples who were with us on the Rescue. (Left to right: Bryan Jackson, he's the new Area Legal Counsel taking Jeff Clayton's place this July, Sister and President Omer, he is Johannesburg, South Africa Mission President going home this June 30th, Sister (with red camera) and President Curtis, Africa West Area President stationed in Accra, Ghana, Jeff (partially hidden and Marge Clayton.

African sunsets are the best.

The medicine cocktail used to tranquilize, monitor and then wake up the Rhino. The dart fired from a rifle is on the left.

Roger monitoring the Rhino's breathing. You want to keep the Rhino's breath above 8 per minute while he's sedated. 

He's estimated to be a 4 year old. He has a towel across his eyes and socks in his ears.  The idea is to keep him away from any audio or visual stimuli. Notice the notch which was taken out of his right ear. This is how poachers are put on notice that this Rhino has been marked with a computer clip and should they kill him, the poachers can be easily found and prosecuted.

Kamryn administering the antidote to the sedative. After she did this, it was time to run.

A Rhino wakes up pretty fast.

And he was looking for the gal who put a needle in his ear.

What do you do when zebras are blocking the road in Kruger?

Or a giraffe has taken the high ground?

As I've mentioned before South Africa has some very colorful birds. This is a Lilac Breasted Rorer. 

A herd of Rhinos is called a "crash". I guess they named it after what they sound like when Rhinos take off through the bush.

After night had fallen, we came across this male lion.

Very impressive fellow. We were within 10 feet of him, but he was more interested in this female who he was courting.

A evening none of us will forget.

Don't forget the monkeys in Kruger. Lots of them in the trees.

As our 3 day safari ended, we met up with some elephants at the local watering hole.

The baby was less than a month old.

Choreographed drinking, 1, 2, 3. Trunk in water, trunk into mouth.

As if on cue, they all left together.

Until this guy gets a little bigger, he won't leave mom's side.

When the National Public Affairs Directors (24 Directors from 24 different countries in the Africa Southeast Area) come in to Johannesburg for training, Mom gets the opportunity to share her testimony.  These Directors are so important in helping spread the Gospel in Africa. They spend countless hours meeting with government officials, helping with humanitarian projects and making sure that the Church's work continues forward in Africa.  

South Africa has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. Elders Dabell, Adams, Christiansen and I get up at 5:00 am about twice a month and head out to the links. You don't need a tee time at that hour. We're always the first ones on the course. I thought the name of this little bridge between the 3rd and 4th holes at the Parkview Country Club was rather appropriate.  I always thought "Dawn Patrol" only applied to an early morning surf session. 

The sun is just coming up, but we're a 1/3 of the way through our 9 holes.  We're usually back in the office by 9:30 am. Just in case you're wondering.

I don't think anyone ever had a cuter missionary companion.

It's always fun to go exploring. Mom is always a little reluctant to go running off into the veld, but after I convinced Elder Bob Dabell and his wife, Margret, (from Bozeman, Montana) to join us for a day trip, she came along happily. About a 2 1/2 hour drive north-east of Johannesburg is an abandoned missionary station called Botshabelo. It was started by Alexander Merensky of the Berlin Mission Society in 1865. His converts were primarily members of the Bapedi tribe, which was lead by Chief Sekukuni a very feared and not well-liked Sotho Chief. Sekukuni and his people did not like the Christian missionaries and decided that the converts should be killed. Merensky, in order to protect his new converts, built a German fort on the hill next to the Botshabelo Missionary Station.  The name means "place of refuge."

The fort, originally called Fort Wilhelm after the German Kaiser, is now called Fort Merensky. It is a mixture of Sotho stonework and German castle, and it did work to protect the Botshabelo Mission.

The mission is on the north bank of the Klein Olifants River (small elephant). This old Lutheran Church, found on site, was for many years the largest church on the Transvaal. It is still used for weddings today.

Mission barracks now used for a cow stable. The mission station was abandoned in 1961.

While walking around the mission grounds, we were stopped by the man on the right. His name is Justice. He had come seeking answers to his prayers. He hoped to establish a place for African youth to come and learn religious principles. When he saw our name tags, he asked if we would offer a prayer for him. We all joined hands and I offered the prayer. It was a sweet moment; after which we gave him and his friends some pass along cards.

A picture of the abandoned mission school. Note the old gas pump on the left. I don't think you can get unleaded out here.

Across the Klien Olifants River is a wonderfully preserved Ndebele village. Some of the refugees who had been sheltered at the Botshabelo Mission use to live here.

The Ndebele always paint in geometric forms.

Inside a Ndebele hut.

Not far from Botshabelo is the town of Middelburg. Roughly 120 years ago, the Dutch Reformed Church established a tiny settlement on the south bank of the Klein Olifants River and named it Nazareth. For reasons unknown, there were objections to the the name and a few years later the settlement was renamed Middelburg.  The sign is evidence of the faith of the citizens.

Known as the White Church, this Dutch Reformed Church dates from 1890. In the early days, the Dutch farmers would flock into Middleburg to celebrate Nagmall (Communion) once every three months. The grassy fields around the church would be covered with tents and ox wagons.

Having a late lunch with the Dabells at Nandos. A nice chicken restaurant. You need to be very careful of the Peri Peri Chicken. It's beyond hot!