My Journey to discover Bulembu
It was early in 2015 and one of my friends from church was trying to get a group to go on a mission trip to Africa. I was very interested in going. I am a retired photographer and I had always wanted to go shoot the Big Five, with a camera of course. The trip was going to be in a few months and so I paid my money and bought my air plane ticket direct from Atlanta, Georgia to Johannesburg, South Africa. I had just been on a mission trip with my church to Honduras and was in the mode of thinking the Africa mission trip was going to be similar to Honduras. In the case of Honduras, we were greeted at the airport by a "tour guide" and an armed guard carrying a shot gun. I was kind of taken back at first, but after a few minutes it just seemed to be the way it was going to be. However, the mission trip experience I had in Africa was totally different in a good way — so let's get back to going to Africa.
It is now July and as my two friends and I walk up to the Delta Gate, the departure time is set at 7:13 pm. Now you might wonder why I call your attention to this detail? Well those numbers represent my birthday! Yes, I was born on July 13th, a friday in 1951. My Father, who passed away back in 1992, had always been a church going Baptist, but had never really been verbal about it; only just a good and descent man. He would call moments like I just related a Co—Inky—Dink. Most people just say it was a coincidence, but my Dad thought that some things were far from just a coincidence and were divine in nature and kind of Godly. Thus, he manipulated the word to his idea of the moment, thus relating it to the divine God. A God Moment was just had is the way I thought of it. A kind of a good sign or omen for the trip I was about to embark.
I just smiled and felt even better about my choice in signing up for the next 15 hours in transit to Africa. I was totally surprised after getting into my seat and finding no one next to me. I took out my Airbook and started setting up my photo library and other time wasting tasks. I soon noticed that the seat reclined more than any other coach seat I had ever experienced. I also noticed that the head rest was totally newly designed and had "wings" on each side that you could bend to conform to your head and actually hold your head in place while you were asleep. A very tasty meal was served and beer and wine flowed at no charge to those who wanted it. The time escaped and we were soon having breakfast with Starbucks coffee and then landing.
We gladly walked through immigration and bag claim and to our waiting shuttle bus. It was about 6 pm the next day. There are only six time zones difference, but we had gone to the other side (Southern Hemisphere) of the world and well it just seemed fine. We soon were a group of 42 souls from all over the world. We were now part of a group with a group leader, who was a man of about my age, who was well just a good man. We all traveled by hotel shuttle van to a local hotel. We all checked in, got settled and on WIFI and then had a light supper and went straight to bed by 9 pm. I rested soundly and awoke about 6 am; rested and ready for a cup of joe.
All the coffee in Africa that I have had ever tasted has been so good and if you like coffee; you will be in love even more with the Dark Roast Continent. After breakfast we checked out and dragged out bags out the front door and into a waiting tour van. I did not spy any armed guard and did not even see the need in asking about one. We drove for a few hours and took a break to buy fuel and drop off some coffee. While I was busy in the men's room, I looked out the window above the facility I was using and there was a panoramic view of all sorts of creatures.
It is now July and as my two friends and I walk up to the Delta Gate, the departure time is set at 7:13 pm. Now you might wonder why I call your attention to this detail? Well those numbers represent my birthday! Yes, I was born on July 13th, a friday in 1951. My Father, who passed away back in 1992, had always been a church going Baptist, but had never really been verbal about it; only just a good and descent man. He would call moments like I just related a Co—Inky—Dink. Most people just say it was a coincidence, but my Dad thought that some things were far from just a coincidence and were divine in nature and kind of Godly. Thus, he manipulated the word to his idea of the moment, thus relating it to the divine God. A God Moment was just had is the way I thought of it. A kind of a good sign or omen for the trip I was about to embark.
I just smiled and felt even better about my choice in signing up for the next 15 hours in transit to Africa. I was totally surprised after getting into my seat and finding no one next to me. I took out my Airbook and started setting up my photo library and other time wasting tasks. I soon noticed that the seat reclined more than any other coach seat I had ever experienced. I also noticed that the head rest was totally newly designed and had "wings" on each side that you could bend to conform to your head and actually hold your head in place while you were asleep. A very tasty meal was served and beer and wine flowed at no charge to those who wanted it. The time escaped and we were soon having breakfast with Starbucks coffee and then landing.
We gladly walked through immigration and bag claim and to our waiting shuttle bus. It was about 6 pm the next day. There are only six time zones difference, but we had gone to the other side (Southern Hemisphere) of the world and well it just seemed fine. We soon were a group of 42 souls from all over the world. We were now part of a group with a group leader, who was a man of about my age, who was well just a good man. We all traveled by hotel shuttle van to a local hotel. We all checked in, got settled and on WIFI and then had a light supper and went straight to bed by 9 pm. I rested soundly and awoke about 6 am; rested and ready for a cup of joe.
All the coffee in Africa that I have had ever tasted has been so good and if you like coffee; you will be in love even more with the Dark Roast Continent. After breakfast we checked out and dragged out bags out the front door and into a waiting tour van. I did not spy any armed guard and did not even see the need in asking about one. We drove for a few hours and took a break to buy fuel and drop off some coffee. While I was busy in the men's room, I looked out the window above the facility I was using and there was a panoramic view of all sorts of creatures.
I apologize about the lack of resolution for these photos as I took them in a hurry with my iPhone. I was just amazed at seeing this wonderful view while I was in the men's room; just amazing.
We continued on for two more hours and arrived at the town of Bulembu, Swaziland. After some time we were assigned a home to share with four other guys and the seven of us unpacked and settled into our "shared home". This accommodation costs less than $30 a night with linen service but the bath room is shared between all seven room mates. We made the best of it and my friend's wife was a real trooper taking almost no time to get ready every day. I later made a mental note that if I ever came back, I would upgrade and stay in one of the private lodge rooms; where you did not have to wait for the bathroom every morning.
The next few days were spent with tours of the business units, that help fund the orphanage and of course church on Sunday. Now I hope I can put this into perspective. We are 42 pale faces in a sea of really dark, but friendly faces. One strange thing that seemed totally out of place was a young woman doing ballet movements on the stage while everyone was filling in their seats. This later became a Co—Inky—Dink and I had no way to appreciate it at the moment it was occuring.
At the very beginning of the service the minister announced it was time to greet your neighbor and wow, were we greeted. I have never felt so accepted in my whole life. These people walked from far and wide to come over and give us a big hug. It really was wonderful.
The minister had to make a very somber and sad announcement that he had to leave the church and this was going to be his last sermon. His wife had just been diagnosed with a life ending illness and needed to seek medical treatment in a special facility. Many people had tears in their eyes and one young man ran up on the stage and just wept openly while he hugged the minister. I was touched and moved at the heart felt emotion from the congregation. Later this turned out to be a Co—Inky—Dink moment also.
After church we had a very tasty lunch of fresh vegetables and chicken I believe. The food was totally awesome. Some of us ventured out on a short 3 hour hike that took us up and up and up to be able to witness this wonderful view of the surrounding land.
We continued on for two more hours and arrived at the town of Bulembu, Swaziland. After some time we were assigned a home to share with four other guys and the seven of us unpacked and settled into our "shared home". This accommodation costs less than $30 a night with linen service but the bath room is shared between all seven room mates. We made the best of it and my friend's wife was a real trooper taking almost no time to get ready every day. I later made a mental note that if I ever came back, I would upgrade and stay in one of the private lodge rooms; where you did not have to wait for the bathroom every morning.
The next few days were spent with tours of the business units, that help fund the orphanage and of course church on Sunday. Now I hope I can put this into perspective. We are 42 pale faces in a sea of really dark, but friendly faces. One strange thing that seemed totally out of place was a young woman doing ballet movements on the stage while everyone was filling in their seats. This later became a Co—Inky—Dink and I had no way to appreciate it at the moment it was occuring.
At the very beginning of the service the minister announced it was time to greet your neighbor and wow, were we greeted. I have never felt so accepted in my whole life. These people walked from far and wide to come over and give us a big hug. It really was wonderful.
The minister had to make a very somber and sad announcement that he had to leave the church and this was going to be his last sermon. His wife had just been diagnosed with a life ending illness and needed to seek medical treatment in a special facility. Many people had tears in their eyes and one young man ran up on the stage and just wept openly while he hugged the minister. I was touched and moved at the heart felt emotion from the congregation. Later this turned out to be a Co—Inky—Dink moment also.
After church we had a very tasty lunch of fresh vegetables and chicken I believe. The food was totally awesome. Some of us ventured out on a short 3 hour hike that took us up and up and up to be able to witness this wonderful view of the surrounding land.
The tall peak on the far left is Mount Emlembe and is the tallest point in Swaziland at 6,109 feet. The barren ground on the lower right middle are the mine tailings from the abandon asbestos mine. They are benign and offer no health risk.
I have zoomed in here to show more detail in the mine tailings pile on the right and the rows and rows of houses that used to be home to over 10,000 miners and support people. Now the very top rows of homes are home to over 360 orphans and their support "aunties". This is a very, very beautiful and peaceful place that offers safety and security to all the children. The perfect place to have an orphanage and sanctuary.
Now we turn to the coming work days. We were given jobs that ranged from painting, to fence building to demolition of old concrete block homes and salvaging the concrete blocks to build steps. Here are some snap shots of our work days... rain or shine!
Now we turn to the coming work days. We were given jobs that ranged from painting, to fence building to demolition of old concrete block homes and salvaging the concrete blocks to build steps. Here are some snap shots of our work days... rain or shine!
We all worked hard and made the most out of each minute we had. The true joy was later in the day after we had put in about 6 hours of work, we stopped, dusted off our shoes and made a bee line to help the children with their home work. My first assignment was a forth grader and the first question was: Name the first day of the Week! Well, you may realize that this differs from culture to country and there was no world wide web to consult, so off I go to ask the teacher... I felt a little silly not knowing the answer, but I wanted to make sure I was a good tutor. I got to spend an hour with the forth grader and now everytime I go back, I take time to reconnect with the same fourth grader. It is a fun and special reunion and means Co—Inky—Dink every time.
Now back to the work and labor time. We all had music lists and blue tooth speakers and we would take turns blasting out music as we worked each day. Well, my play list had over 60 songs and was on random play order. The same song would come on every day and was very pleasant to our ears. My friend from church and I noted that it played every day and we both liked the song, but never could understand the words exactly. The song was "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel... You guessed it another major Co—Inky—Dink.
It soon was time to leave and go to the event that really brought me to Africa in the first place. The Safari into Kruger Park. But wait... All during the week, in the evenings, all 42 of us would gather together and sing songs and talk about our Co—Inky—Dink moments. We also heard from Ginnie, Vernon, Kurt and Owen. Each one of these wonderful people shared how they were called to go to work in Bulembu. Each saga they recalled made the tears well up in my eyes. I was starting to get the idea that I had to bring people that I care about and love here to witness the goodness that lives in this place. It was like a conduit had opened up between my creator and I... What a wonderful gift to receive and to be able to share with the world.
Sure the Safari was incredible and I totally enjoyed the experiences, but now I go back for the children and to reconnect with the incredible people that live and run Bulembu. So this brings me to a point where I need to relate to you what happened when I got back home. I looked up the words to the song, "Solsbury Hill" and to my amazement it was the exact verbal embodiment that described what Ginnie, Vernon, Kurt and Owen had related in their personal journey to reach Bulembu. I then had to see if I could take the random pictures that I found in my library from the trip and match them to the song. Well it was so easy and pleasant, yet touching I have to share it with you now:
Now back to the work and labor time. We all had music lists and blue tooth speakers and we would take turns blasting out music as we worked each day. Well, my play list had over 60 songs and was on random play order. The same song would come on every day and was very pleasant to our ears. My friend from church and I noted that it played every day and we both liked the song, but never could understand the words exactly. The song was "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel... You guessed it another major Co—Inky—Dink.
It soon was time to leave and go to the event that really brought me to Africa in the first place. The Safari into Kruger Park. But wait... All during the week, in the evenings, all 42 of us would gather together and sing songs and talk about our Co—Inky—Dink moments. We also heard from Ginnie, Vernon, Kurt and Owen. Each one of these wonderful people shared how they were called to go to work in Bulembu. Each saga they recalled made the tears well up in my eyes. I was starting to get the idea that I had to bring people that I care about and love here to witness the goodness that lives in this place. It was like a conduit had opened up between my creator and I... What a wonderful gift to receive and to be able to share with the world.
Sure the Safari was incredible and I totally enjoyed the experiences, but now I go back for the children and to reconnect with the incredible people that live and run Bulembu. So this brings me to a point where I need to relate to you what happened when I got back home. I looked up the words to the song, "Solsbury Hill" and to my amazement it was the exact verbal embodiment that described what Ginnie, Vernon, Kurt and Owen had related in their personal journey to reach Bulembu. I then had to see if I could take the random pictures that I found in my library from the trip and match them to the song. Well it was so easy and pleasant, yet touching I have to share it with you now:
Witness
some of the testimonies of those who were called to organize and work daily in Bulembu. Only then will you see and feel how blessed these wonderful people really are.