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South African flight 204 was set to be a sixteen hour flight, but arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, at 7:15am, only fourteen hours later. What a journey. While I was originally concerned about the length of the flight, time passed rather quickly. Actually, no one complained about the plane ride at all since we slept most of the way, waking up for meals and short walks around the plane. We are seven hours ahead of you all, so although we landed shortly after 7 am, it was only midnight in NY. After collecting our bags, clearing customs and purchasing international Sims and calling cards, we were off to the hotel. We arrived at the Michelangelo Hotel at about 2:30am EST.
One would think that we would be ready for a long nap, right? Not us! We figured we could sleep when we got back home. Instead, we decided to go to a Mankwe Safari at the fifty-five thousand acre Pilancsberg National Park, in Sun City. The scenery was breathtaking. There was green everywhere; trees, grass, hills and mountains. The earth is so red here. Our safari tour guide was Nelson, and we told him that the more animals we saw, the bigger his tip. Needless to say, Nelson went to work! He said that in addition to many animals, he hoped that we would be able to see the ‘Big Five’; elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and rhinoceros. He said that they were known as the big five because they are the most deadly to try to kill. He went on to say, “If you shoot an elephant and don’t kill him, he is going to turn around and kill you before you get a chance to kill him.” That made good sense to me!
So, off we went. The first animals we saw were the elephants. We saw many other familiar animals including giraffes, zebras and endangered wild dogs. We also saw some animals that are more native to Africa including impalas, wildebeests, warthogs, kudus, and South Africa’s national animal, the spring buck. The highlight of the trip was when we spotted two male lions about 100 feet away from us. We were in awe! They both actually roared at us, and marked their territory by spraying the ground. Their manes were unbelievable. They walked around, and even rolled over on the ground.
I nearly forgot to mention that it was a two hour ride each way to get to the wild. On the way back, our guide, Fefe, gave us quite a scare driving two thousand miles per hour in the pouring rain, lol. Every time the van hit a pothole, or hydro-planed, you could hear everyone say, ‘ooohhh’; there was even an “oh God” and one, “Lord have mercy.” When Laurianne politely asked him if he could slow down, he did not respond verbally, but we did notice that the car seemed to go a little faster. We decided to be quiet after that, lol. Thank you God for traveling mercies for real! While I was not at all worried about the fourteen hour plane ride, the two hour journey back to the hotel from the safari left me thankful and speechless.
Our day was capped off by dinner at the Lekgotla restaurant in Nelson Mandela Square. We enjoyed prawn, steak, chicken, vegetable soup, oxtails, yellow fin and red snapper. The night was capped off by a woman giving each of us our own distinct tribal face painting to represent the Zulu warrior within. What a great first day! Now we must rest, for we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. Until then. . . God is. . .
Love you all
Deborah Wiggins
/ February 17, 2010Keesh,
Reading your log about 10:15 p.m., (Houston time) and surely you don’t expect me to go to sleep now…..You think your imagination runs wild, only if you could be here to see my expressions when I read your comments on the two male lions….my goodness and this time it’s for real. I remember when you were my little girl in your room…talking about.. lions and tigers and wolves, oh no, lions and tigers and wolves, oh no….well now your imaginations is real, right??? Keesh my heart is leaping for joy…I get so excited when I’m talking to people about your journey. I can bearly get the words out. I’m texting everybody I know with information about the Daily Blog….And I’m telling everyone I know in hopes they already know that God is….Listen, you finally went on that date with God and He has plans for you that only He knows, but you will know at all the right times. You told me when you were just a little girl that you wanted to see God. Well.. what do you think? Your imagination—wow–You finally get to use that Godly imagination and do something you’ve never done before–Thanks be to God—-Travel to South Africa. God wants you to taste life, to sample all the goodies He has made available.
Venture out. See His creation. Notice something you’ve never noticed before. I’m thinking about all your deeply filled expressions in Day 2. It’s amazing how alive you will feel as you abandon your comfort zone for a new adventure. Baby, remember, for everything you’ve never done before it is because you’ve chosen not to do it before, not because you couldn’t. You’re making difference choices now by breaking your normal routine and God is very pleased with your decision. YOU’RE ON A DATE WITH GOD!! I cant wait to hear all about it. Take Care, Love Mother
Donyele
/ February 17, 2010Awesome. You hit the ground running. Sounds like you’re all off to a great start! Keep this up and you will surely need a vacation from the vacation when you get back home. But that’s the best way to go! And i can’t believe y’all got that lions riled up. FCBC in the wild. That’s hilarious.
Tamika Franklin
/ February 17, 2010WOW! Sis Lakeesha your Day 2 was indeed an experience. Only FCBC can make Lions roll over.
I’m praying for you all and I’m look forward to your updates…Thank God for blogging abilities. Amen!
Amina
/ February 17, 2010I smiled as I read your blog. I must admit I am living vicariously through you, so please keep the vivid updates coming. I can only imagine the level of serenity you all are feeling. Continue to embrace this experience as I will continue to check in daily. Thank you for sharing. You all are in my thoughts and prays.
Amina
P.S. ” Hi Akira, Love Ya”
Cheryl Faye
/ February 17, 2010Oh my goodness, I feel like I’m there with you. What an exciting adventure, and I’m sure seeing the animals was pretty amazing too!! LOL God certainly is….
William F. Cooper
/ February 17, 2010In a word…WOW. My goodness, just visualizing God’s glory up close gives me chills… BTW- Cheryl and I have now begun a daily race to the computer to read your captivating accounts. (Needless to say, she won this morning.)
La-Asia
/ February 17, 2010Wow!! You are great story teller because I was able to imagine the lions rolling on the ground. Thank you for sharing your daily experiences, keep it coming. Day #2 was action packed, I am sure each day will be more and more breath taking. Enjoy each and every second of this amazing journey.
Love you all and tell Laurianne no more directives to the driver!!
Tohma
/ February 17, 2010What a wonderful first day!!! You guys really hit the ground running. Rev LaKeesha, today’s post really made me feel like I was there with you all!! Embrace every moment and keep us updated. God’s creation is breathtaking. I am certain that the rest of your trip will only get better and you will have more great stories to tell. I love you guys.
Opal Baker
/ February 17, 2010Each and every morning when I arrive at work, one of my normal practices is to go on the FCBC website and listen to an archive sermon of my choice. Listening to the archive sermons are truly a blessing to me, the sermons provide a continuation of the positive reinforcement that lifts my soul and keeps me well-grounded. However, today I came across Sister Lakeesha’s Blog on the mission to South Africa. What an inspiration? Amazing, breathtaking and her vivid description of the trip makes you feel as if you were actually there with them on the Safari ride. Thank God for you Sister Lakeesha and thank God for all of the dedicated members who are with you on the journey. God willing, hopefully one day in the near future I will be able to join FCBC on a mission trip identical to this magnitude.
Enjoy and be safe!
LAKEISHA JOE
/ February 17, 2010LOL….that was too funny and interesting at the same time….I could hear Laurianne’s voice in my head, asking the driver to slow down…hahahaha…she’s a treat! Sis Lakeesha, your stories make one feel like their right there on the Journey with you ladies…how blessed are we experience through imagination and spiritual connection! I pray the trip continues beyond your wildest expectations….I look forward to your next entry! Luv it!
Njeri Archer
/ February 17, 2010WHOA!!! Rev. Lakeesha OMG! That is awesome, what a first day!! Thank you for sharing, I feel like Im there LOL I can see it playing like a movie in my head. So straight off the plane you got all that?! Amazing! I was cracking up imagining that road trip, I’m sure it was’nt funny while it was happening lol. You and the ladies be safe and have a wonderful time, Im looking forward to reading more!!
Shellyce Daniley
/ February 17, 2010Good Afternoon,
Wow-Day 2………That must have been scary, but you all are covered. “Thank God for his protection, mercy, and grace”
I’m sitting here thinking about Laurianne asking the driver to slow down, I love her sooooo much. LOL , and she was serious too! However, I’m glad that you all are safe.
As I read your blog I can hear your voice and it seems as if I’m right there with you all. You can definitely tell a story it seems so real as if I am right there with you. I can hear your voice and see the expression on your’s and see Keemya’s face when the fan hydro-planed…….. Hi Keeemya!!!!
I look forward to tomorrow’s blog -day 3. You all have a wonderful day.
Gregory Spence
/ February 17, 2010Simply amazing.
I’m awestruck & speechless as I read along.
My tears of joy are flowing freely & captured only by the up-turned corners of my smile.
I’m so very happy for you all, & so very proud of you as well.
Grateful & thankful!
Katherine Vaughn
/ February 17, 2010Sister LaKeisha,
I so enjoyed listening to and imagining ur travels thoughout the second. I saw the lions rolling in the grass, I heard them roar. I wished that I could be amongst you as a tear of pride and joy rolled down my cheek…at work mind you. But nothing touched me more than the note from your mom. You are truly blessed to be able to fulfill the prophecies you set forth for yourself without knowing they all came from God.
May God’s peace be with you until we meet again.
ENJOY YOUR DATE WITH THE LORD!!!!! I love you all
Linda Waddy
/ February 17, 2010How prescious… I feel so warm in my heart reading your daily Blog. I remember watching the movie The Color Purple and Celi’s sister would write her letters and the images and music connected to those letters describng her life in Africa were so vivid. I cried than and I tear up now, for the images of this journey through your Blog helps me to hear the music and imagine how huge of an spiritual and emotional experience this must be for all of you.
It’s huge for me.
Thank you & All of you are in my Prayers.
Sharntesse
/ February 19, 2010I wish I was able to go with yall have fun I go to Fcbc
Sharntesse
/ February 19, 2010Luv the news