Africa Expedition 2025
Today started early for us. Even though it was a tourist day, it was not a rest day. 5:00 am alarm that didn’t wake me up, because I was already awake. Checking on things back home and having our good friend fix my technical issues with the app and these updates…But Adam came through in a big way for us and in no time it was up and running, like a giraffe from a lion, or what ever they say.
Soon I found myself in a boiling hot shower, not necessarily needed, but certainly desired…warm showers in Kilgoris, that only seem to trickle from the shower head, consist of exposed wire and 220V’s of AC current, partially exposed connections and at best wrapped in two wraps of black tape and most days at least one power outage per shower, sometimes more…but this place had a wood fire powered water heater that literally boils the water and water pressure that is second to none. So I tried to make up for lost time.
It wasn’t long before we found ourselves dressed for the day and ready to go for a game drive. Light was just creeping through the window and the camp cat was creeping through the door we had opened to the beautiful world outside. We snapped a quick family pic from our porch and then were off to the sunrise overlook, or “pride rock” as April called it, to see the sunrise. I don’t chase sunrises or sunsets, although I’m often outside for both, I rarely take time to appreciate the artwork of God in the moment. But today we sat there with no other agenda than to sit quietly as a family and see the sun peak into the Maasai Mara Valley. Clouds had us blocked out and we were four minutes past sunrise time and no visible changes had taken place. The hazy and cloudy horizon seemed to be blocking our one opportunity to witness this magnificent show together. The camp cat had not only came into our room but had taken up with us and traveled alongside our feet as we went to the spot. It was keeping us company and entertaining us as we waited. I told them we had to leave soon and we would give it two more minutes, but then we would be forced to leave and hope for another year. Just about that time a faint pink slice in the clouds began to glow. It wasn’t long at all before it started transforming in front of us, and before we knew it, it was in full bloom. I don’t think we said a word for at least two minutes and as soon as it came it disappeared back behind the clouds. It was amazing. We knew time wasn’t on our side so we popped up, appreciative of what we had seen, and headed toward the dinning hall for breakfast. The camp cat still on our heels, as if he were going home with us all the way back to Texas. As we rounded the curve on the rock path that guides us through the camp we got another surprise. A heard of Eland had found their way into our camp. Keep in mind this place is unfenced, any animal in the mara can gain unrestricted access to the entire camp, only security guards armed with shepherds sticks maintain the gap between the wild of Africa and those few fortunate enough to find themselves in this place. The Eland quickly raised their heads, but with little interest to see it was a few humans, continued with their grazing. “If only I had my bow.” That was really my only thought as I saw them. The camp cat, seeing we were headed for the dining room, stopped, looked at me, then swiftly disappeared into some nearby bushes, as if to say he knew he was not welcome in that place. There we joined the rest of our team for breakfast and soon we were off for the Oloololo Gate (oh low low low) to enter the greatest game park on earth. Before we could even pass through the gate we had seen dozens of elephants, zebras, giraffes, and to many other things to name. Soon we were sorted and the gate opened up for us to drive towards the great adventure that God had in store for us.
Before we really got started we had four of the big five under our belt. Elephants first, then cape buffalo. Shortly after were some lions stalking some giraffe, hoping to make a meal of one of the adolescent long necks, but to my disappointment, didn’t succeed in the task to fill their bellies in our presence. Just then a HUKA HUKA came across the radio and kifaru was in there somewhere. I can by no means speak or understand Swahili, but I can pick up words and peace together what the discussion might be about and Georges reaction was clear…someone had seen Mr. Rhino…and he was close by. We were off. Leaving the lions to smell the fresh giraffe meat, still clothed in their own brown splotches and yellow hair, still uncaught and hoofing it in the direction of safety. Yes, we left them to go find our rhino. It seemed as if it were going be unsuccessful, we left the location and circled around the patch of bush it had disappeared into but found soon that we were right back where we started. George had stopped, asking us to glass the brush in front of us for sign or movement. Nothing. Then, just as George eased off the clutch, and the diesel engine began to gain some speed it happened. Chip, excited, loud, and without reservation, yelled out…RHINO…
George lost the clutch, the land cruiser kept forward and he said “WHAT?” As he struggled to grip the clutch and find the brake pedal. We came to a swift halt and I raised up my binoculars and there it was. A beautiful black rhino, but not just one, there was a second one also. Standing next to the momma rhino was her little baby. I had considered we were looking for a solo bull but to my delight it was a cow calf. Over the next while we struggled to get into the best position to take pictures and see the pair. Then to our surprise it started toward us and crossed the road just behind our cruiser. Soon it was off into another patch of bush and out of sight. It was the highlight of my day, and a story I’ll never forget.
The remainder of our day we spent driving, seeing almost every animal Kenya has to offer…we didn’t see the leopard, completing the Big Five but it only leaves something to look forward too. I’ve seen them all before, but some of the team hadn’t…I don’t think anyone left there disappointed with what we got to experience. We came here to make disciples, God had shown off for us enough already, this day was simply a bonus.
We left the Maasai Mara through the Sekenani Gate and took the tarmac road to Narok town where we will stay for the night. We went American tonight and feasted on KFC. It’s a welcomed meal and feels a little like home compared the the food in Kilgoris.
I find myself blessed in this life more than I should be. The desires of my heart have been gifted to me by God more than I can believe. Africa has been good to me for twenty years now, and I can’t imagine my life without this place in it. At only 41 years of age almost half my life now has been one with African missions being a reality. Now my entire family has joined me and we are here together.
The Quick’s and Brian have had a wonderful day too. It was fun to see April and hear her concerns as we walked by the hippo pools, full of rotting wildebeest carcasses and crocodiles and experienced the sounds and size of the great waterlogged beasts as they fought for dominance of their deep pools just before disappearing back beneath the red muddy water . As we travelled the roads and saw the animals it was a good change of scenery from the polluted streets we had been surrounded by the previous week. It was a sight into what could be the future of Kenya and Kilgoris with good stewardship and a change of heart of the people there.
I hope we have made an impact this year. As I finish up this day and reflect of what I witnessed, the word stewardship seems to weigh heavy on me. Today only a few miles down the road from where we did our ministry, stewardship is legislated and forced on the people to protect the animals and their habitat. Yet the people all over the countryside live in conditions not fit for rats, and in many ways have themselves to blame. That may sound harsh, but God puts responsibility on each of us individually. No one can save you but Jesus, and its between you and He. If man has to take responsibility for that, blaming him for filth and litter doesn’t seem like much of a judgmental statement. Personal responsibility is all through the Bible and is a problem here in Kenya as it is in most places. The teaching in stewardship dealt with that this year. Join me in prayer that this beautiful country and its people can soon find freedom from the lifestyles they continue to live in. That they can begin to live a life taking cafe of all the beautiful things God has given them.
Goodnight once again from Kenya,
Todd Crabtree
Soon I found myself in a boiling hot shower, not necessarily needed, but certainly desired…warm showers in Kilgoris, that only seem to trickle from the shower head, consist of exposed wire and 220V’s of AC current, partially exposed connections and at best wrapped in two wraps of black tape and most days at least one power outage per shower, sometimes more…but this place had a wood fire powered water heater that literally boils the water and water pressure that is second to none. So I tried to make up for lost time.
It wasn’t long before we found ourselves dressed for the day and ready to go for a game drive. Light was just creeping through the window and the camp cat was creeping through the door we had opened to the beautiful world outside. We snapped a quick family pic from our porch and then were off to the sunrise overlook, or “pride rock” as April called it, to see the sunrise. I don’t chase sunrises or sunsets, although I’m often outside for both, I rarely take time to appreciate the artwork of God in the moment. But today we sat there with no other agenda than to sit quietly as a family and see the sun peak into the Maasai Mara Valley. Clouds had us blocked out and we were four minutes past sunrise time and no visible changes had taken place. The hazy and cloudy horizon seemed to be blocking our one opportunity to witness this magnificent show together. The camp cat had not only came into our room but had taken up with us and traveled alongside our feet as we went to the spot. It was keeping us company and entertaining us as we waited. I told them we had to leave soon and we would give it two more minutes, but then we would be forced to leave and hope for another year. Just about that time a faint pink slice in the clouds began to glow. It wasn’t long at all before it started transforming in front of us, and before we knew it, it was in full bloom. I don’t think we said a word for at least two minutes and as soon as it came it disappeared back behind the clouds. It was amazing. We knew time wasn’t on our side so we popped up, appreciative of what we had seen, and headed toward the dinning hall for breakfast. The camp cat still on our heels, as if he were going home with us all the way back to Texas. As we rounded the curve on the rock path that guides us through the camp we got another surprise. A heard of Eland had found their way into our camp. Keep in mind this place is unfenced, any animal in the mara can gain unrestricted access to the entire camp, only security guards armed with shepherds sticks maintain the gap between the wild of Africa and those few fortunate enough to find themselves in this place. The Eland quickly raised their heads, but with little interest to see it was a few humans, continued with their grazing. “If only I had my bow.” That was really my only thought as I saw them. The camp cat, seeing we were headed for the dining room, stopped, looked at me, then swiftly disappeared into some nearby bushes, as if to say he knew he was not welcome in that place. There we joined the rest of our team for breakfast and soon we were off for the Oloololo Gate (oh low low low) to enter the greatest game park on earth. Before we could even pass through the gate we had seen dozens of elephants, zebras, giraffes, and to many other things to name. Soon we were sorted and the gate opened up for us to drive towards the great adventure that God had in store for us.
Before we really got started we had four of the big five under our belt. Elephants first, then cape buffalo. Shortly after were some lions stalking some giraffe, hoping to make a meal of one of the adolescent long necks, but to my disappointment, didn’t succeed in the task to fill their bellies in our presence. Just then a HUKA HUKA came across the radio and kifaru was in there somewhere. I can by no means speak or understand Swahili, but I can pick up words and peace together what the discussion might be about and Georges reaction was clear…someone had seen Mr. Rhino…and he was close by. We were off. Leaving the lions to smell the fresh giraffe meat, still clothed in their own brown splotches and yellow hair, still uncaught and hoofing it in the direction of safety. Yes, we left them to go find our rhino. It seemed as if it were going be unsuccessful, we left the location and circled around the patch of bush it had disappeared into but found soon that we were right back where we started. George had stopped, asking us to glass the brush in front of us for sign or movement. Nothing. Then, just as George eased off the clutch, and the diesel engine began to gain some speed it happened. Chip, excited, loud, and without reservation, yelled out…RHINO…
George lost the clutch, the land cruiser kept forward and he said “WHAT?” As he struggled to grip the clutch and find the brake pedal. We came to a swift halt and I raised up my binoculars and there it was. A beautiful black rhino, but not just one, there was a second one also. Standing next to the momma rhino was her little baby. I had considered we were looking for a solo bull but to my delight it was a cow calf. Over the next while we struggled to get into the best position to take pictures and see the pair. Then to our surprise it started toward us and crossed the road just behind our cruiser. Soon it was off into another patch of bush and out of sight. It was the highlight of my day, and a story I’ll never forget.
The remainder of our day we spent driving, seeing almost every animal Kenya has to offer…we didn’t see the leopard, completing the Big Five but it only leaves something to look forward too. I’ve seen them all before, but some of the team hadn’t…I don’t think anyone left there disappointed with what we got to experience. We came here to make disciples, God had shown off for us enough already, this day was simply a bonus.
We left the Maasai Mara through the Sekenani Gate and took the tarmac road to Narok town where we will stay for the night. We went American tonight and feasted on KFC. It’s a welcomed meal and feels a little like home compared the the food in Kilgoris.
I find myself blessed in this life more than I should be. The desires of my heart have been gifted to me by God more than I can believe. Africa has been good to me for twenty years now, and I can’t imagine my life without this place in it. At only 41 years of age almost half my life now has been one with African missions being a reality. Now my entire family has joined me and we are here together.
The Quick’s and Brian have had a wonderful day too. It was fun to see April and hear her concerns as we walked by the hippo pools, full of rotting wildebeest carcasses and crocodiles and experienced the sounds and size of the great waterlogged beasts as they fought for dominance of their deep pools just before disappearing back beneath the red muddy water . As we travelled the roads and saw the animals it was a good change of scenery from the polluted streets we had been surrounded by the previous week. It was a sight into what could be the future of Kenya and Kilgoris with good stewardship and a change of heart of the people there.
I hope we have made an impact this year. As I finish up this day and reflect of what I witnessed, the word stewardship seems to weigh heavy on me. Today only a few miles down the road from where we did our ministry, stewardship is legislated and forced on the people to protect the animals and their habitat. Yet the people all over the countryside live in conditions not fit for rats, and in many ways have themselves to blame. That may sound harsh, but God puts responsibility on each of us individually. No one can save you but Jesus, and its between you and He. If man has to take responsibility for that, blaming him for filth and litter doesn’t seem like much of a judgmental statement. Personal responsibility is all through the Bible and is a problem here in Kenya as it is in most places. The teaching in stewardship dealt with that this year. Join me in prayer that this beautiful country and its people can soon find freedom from the lifestyles they continue to live in. That they can begin to live a life taking cafe of all the beautiful things God has given them.
Goodnight once again from Kenya,
Todd Crabtree
Posted in Africa Updates