Kapoeta, South Sudan. Never mind that half the building was blown out and the walls were peppered with bullet holes, we were lounging in the restaurant to the town’s finest hotel and we were going to enjoy ourselves. A couple more beers, then we would camp in a local businessman’s backyard. Before we could leave though, a man wearing a yellow Hawaiian shirt announced, “I am from the government. These two are my responsibility. Nothing bad will happen to them.” It was arranged that we would stay in the hotel. Awkward, but okay. Not okay, and way more awkward, two hours later Ben was at the bottom of a twenty foot hole screaming for help. read more…

Spending a night in the maternity ward to a rural African clinic, you gain perspective. There was no soap, no clean linens, no running water, no electricity. And yet, they were so kind to us. Ben asked if there was a way to boil water, so we could make our rice. The clinic had a stove. They clearly hadn’t used it much before. Gas spilled out onto the floor. A pregnant woman came in to give birth. The flames shot up three feet high. Ben and I thought the stove was going to explode and everyone was going to die. And yet it was still a heart warming experience. They gave us a pineapple. Even insisted we sleep on blood stained beds. (Awkward!) They were so kind.

slept here!

there was no electricity or running water

the blood stained bed I was to sleep in #awkward

people, chickens, childern wandered on through

they were exceptionally nice to us

the they even got out the stove. (notice the puddle of gas on the floor - it was an exciting evening)

from the american people - they were grateful for our country's aid

A day out of Lusaka, we camped behind this hotel for $5 each. They had a restaurant, showers, even Coca-Cola! These days Coke is a rare treat. Even nshima and chicken – the local food – hard to find. We’re down to lemon cream cookies, biscuits and water. It’s funny, to look back and to realize that yes that was a nice place.

We found this roadside hotel.

And camped behind it.

It was fairly nice; we slept well.

They even had Coca-Cola, a true signpost of civilization.

For nearly two weeks this backpackers was our home. It was a friendly place to get back on our feet. Ben recovered from his hamstring injury and I got my laptop and made a video.

Lusaka Backpackers had a vibrant night scene

Nepal, France and Ireland representing

noel is wisdom incarnate. he would say, "visit that mountain, it is beauty, and I would not lie because God is truth and truth is God."

The bar in daylight hours. This is Canadian Silverado.

our favorite hangout spot with our two Danish friends

the toliets, sinks, and the German

the restuarant

the cat. he caught lizards.

A video! This is the only footage that made it beyond the Great Pannier Falling off. I wish I had more footage of the May 21st Judgement Day missionaries but it is what is…