Amazing Africa Part 1 - RFK Global Roundtable

In May we traveled to South Africa for the 2nd RFK Global Roundtable (GRT) event.  Five Americans from the States joined 20 others from 7 countries including, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Wales - UK, Namibia, Ghana and Zambia.  

We had 3 1/2 days of training and meetings discussing the various differences, strengths and struggles of each country.  There was great connection even though we were from different countries, cultures and languages, we all had the same heart for the kids we are trying to serve.  

There were several outings that we did that really bonded us together as friends.  The meetings were important, like the bricks in a wall, but the outings were relational like the mortar holding the bricks together.  

I really felt like we connected in such a way that now we can easily call or email each other without hesitation to share successes and ask for help.

Joanne Feldmeth, our RFK International Director, did a great job pulling together the meetings and events of the trip, but she also did a lot of fundraising to sponsor many of the countries to get there and be a part of the GRT.  

Our host couple, Gale and Nevan from Jacksons Ridge Children's Ministry did a great job and put in a lot of work helping Joanne with all the local logistical efforts.  These type of events don't just happen you know, they take a tremendous amount of work!

All this to say, that the International RFK Team was greatly strengthened and encouraged.  Our Australia group offered to host in 2019, so who knows where I'll be by then.

 Founder, Wayne Tesch telling the story of how God birthed a dream in him at the age of 12 for ministering to hurting children.  A powerful story!

 Several of the buildings on site.

 Dr. Darren Daugherty from Texas, spoke on a powerful devotional about Josiah and on Trust Based Relational Intervention.

 I spoke on an international look at our Child Protection Plan and helped facilitate other breakouts.

 Various attendees and their bright colored RFK shirts.

Amazing Africa Part 2 - Safari

After our RFK meetings, our entire group went to a Lion Park and on a safari.  When you are in Africa, you need to go on a safari, you just can't see animals like this anywhere else.  Even if you go to a zoo, it's not the same!

These opportunities were more than just pleasure outings, these events really bonded us together as a group and as friends because of the time together and the different emotions and conversations that took place outside of the meeting room.

This big fella came walking out of the bush heading right at me, then he turned and went just beyond our vehicle.  

Amazing Africa! Part 3 - Zambia & Botswana

Part of our journey to Africa led us to vist Zambia with a Camp Director who runs several children's ministries under the non-profit, JZone Youth Africa.  He funds much of his work as a Safari Guide.
African Christian Safaris-
 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298089-d10464163-Reviews-African_Christian_Safaris-Livingstone_Southern_Province.html

Sanderson is a mixture of a passionate Christian, a funny comedian and one of the most networked people within a community I have ever seen.  He knows everybody in Livingstone, Zambia!

We originally went to Zambia to see Victoria Falls, the largest water fall in the world, but Sanderson organized 4 significant RFK events trying to help launch RFK Zambia!

We had two meetings and two location visits to hold a RFK camp soon!

Wayne Tesch and Darren Daugherty and I had a blast with Sanderson for 3 days making quick visits to Botswana and Zimbabwe plus our time in Zambia.  My passport was out the whole time.

 Arriving in Zambia.

Our first meeting with local leaders to help start an RFK in Zambia

We had lunch with Pastor John from Botswana, he will be assisting the Zambia RFK Team.

Hippos 

Sunset on the Zambezi River

JZone Proprety in Livingstone ZA. where Sanderson has held several Day Camps for kids, he would like to expand it even more and run the first Zambia RFK here after a little more development.

https://youtu.be/8B4sPCCNrME

After visiting the JZone site in town, we traveled into the country to see the property Sanderson has and would like to develop into a full Camp and Conference Center for RFK and other local ministries to use year round.

https://youtu.be/ez5gFdbRLts  

After the tours of the priorities we also visited Victoria Falls, the largest water fall on earth, see "Amazing Africa Part 4"

Amazing Africa Part 4 - Victoria Falls

While visiting Zambia and holding several RFK meetings with Sanderson Sianjina, he took us to Victoria Falls.  What an incredible experience!!!

The few pictures and videos here could never do justice to the immensity and enormity of Victoria Falls.   The breadth is more than my camera could capture, I have added an aerial view from the internet to see the falls in its size and scope.  Some statistics have been added to help understand the sheer size and sound.

Victoria Falls is the only waterfall in the world with a length of more than half a mile and a height of 328 feet. It is also considered to be the largest fall in the world.

The noise of Victoria Falls can be heard from a distance of 24 miles, while the spray and mist from the falling water is rising to a height of over 1300 feet and can be seen from a distance of 30 miles.

You can see the falls from Zambia, but there are better views from Zimbabwe.  

The mist coming up from the falls was unbelievable!  At places it was light and soft, at another location the mist hit us from behind while facing the falls and toward the main falls it was nearly pouring down like a heavy rain.

I shot this video hoping that it would capture the mist with the sun behind it!

After walking across the bridge back into Zambia, I shot this picture with a stream coming into the river far below, we later hiked down to that location.

Statue of Dr. Livingstone, the first white man to see the falls.