Camp Life!

We made it safely to Lusaka....we got moved into our house that we will stay in for the remainder of our time in Zambia. It's definiteley a huge change from our 5 star hotel in Vic Falls. But, we are so excited to be here! We've been waiting for this for so long now...we can't wait for Camp Life to start on Monday!

We're at an internet cafe right now in downtown Lusaka. We just had lunch which was really good. We're going to do a little shopping in the market and then head back to our village to get some rest.

I'm not sure when my next time will be to have internet, so this may be my last post until Camp Life is over.

Please pray for rest, patience, strength, health, servant hearts, and pure joy in the Lord!

Happy to be here,
Mindy :)

Off to Lusaka...

It's 5:50am in Livingstone and we're checking out of our hotel and about to head to the airport to fly back to Lusaka. We've had the most amazing time at Victoria Falls...It's been an experience of a life time. We did a full day safari yesterday in Botswana...just amazing. It was absolutely incredible...hard to describe in words.

Once we're back in Lusaka we'll spend most of today and tomorrow preparing for camp. Camp Life starts on Monday morning and goes through Friday. We are so excited!

Thanks again for your prayers. We are living it up!

XOXO,
Mindy and Josh

The African Sun...

We made is safely to Lusaka, Zambia on Tuesday. All of our luggage arrived...we were so thankful and we had no problems passing through customs. We took a 20 seated Zambian Airways plane from Lusaka to Livingston which was a little scary, but we made it! Our hotel in Linvingston is absolutely amazing! We are having the time of our lives. Yesterday we explored Victoria Falls, which might be one of the most amazing natural wonders I have ever seen. It was breathtaking. I would upload some photos, but the internet here is very slow. There are a ton a monkeys and zebras roaming around our hotel...it's incredible...definitely makes you feel like you're in Africa! We took a dinner cruise down the Zambizie River last night....we saw hippos and crocodiles and rhinos!! The sunsets here are unbelievable!!!

Sorry, I have to run...so much more to say, but I don't have time. We are off to bungie jump by the falls!

London Bridge is Falling Down....

Our flight from DFW to London went really well. We didn't get much sleep, so we are all extremely tired right now. None the less, we had a great day in London! The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed all the sites! We're at Heathrow right now waiting for our flight to Lusaka, Zambia. It has been delayed a bit to 8pm, which is 2pm Dallas time. We unexpectedly had to check our carry on bags that has all of our luggage for Victoria Falls, so please pray that it arrives to Lusaka when we arrive and that we don't miss our connecting flight to Livingstone (Victoria Falls). We have an hour and a half to get our luggage and go through customs in Lusaka and catch our flight to Livingstone..but now with our delay, we could be cutting it really close. So, please pray that everything works out. We packed our patient panties...so everything should be fine...but it does make me a little nervous! We can't wait to finally arrive in Africa!!!

Thanks for your prayers!!

Samsonite....I was way off!

Here is a picture of Josh and I with all of our luggage for Africa! We're checking 5 bags...3 of which are supplies for Camp Life....and carrying on 2 bags each. We should be at the airport right now, but our flight was delayed an hour. So, we're killing a bit of time.

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!



Happy Trails!
Mindy :)

Almost there....

Well, Josh and I are busy packing our last minute things for Africa. We leave DFW tomorrow at 5:30pm. Man...I'm so excited. It's hard to believe that it's here. Truly, time flies. I'm feeling really tired (and a bit overwhelmed) right now, but I know I'll wake up in the morning refreshed and ready to go! If you're interested, here is our schedule for the next 2 weeks (Zambia is 7 hours ahead of DFW and 8,808.32 miles away).....

Sunday, July 20
-Depart from DFW to London Heathrow at 5:30pm (overnight flight)

Monday, July 21
-Arrive in London at 8:35am - enjoy the city a bit during our 10 hour lay over
-Depart from London Heathrow to Lusaka, Zambia at 7:20pm (overnight flight)

Tuesday, July 22
-Arrive in Lusaka at, Zambia 6:30am
-Depart from Lusaka to Livingstone, Zambia at 8:15am - Arrive in Livingstone at 9:15am.
-Enjoy Victoria Falls at the luxurious, five star Royal Livingstone Hotel!

Wednesday July 23 - Friday July 25
-Victoria Falls! (Don't worry...your financial contributions did not fund this part of our trip!)

Saturday, July 26th
-Depart Livingstone to Lusaka at 6:30am - Arrive in Lusaka at 7:30am
-Get settled into our living quarters for Camp Life
-Orientation and team meetings

Sunday, July 27th
-Church and continued preparation for Camp Life

Monday, July 28th - Friday, August 1st
-CAMP LIFE!!

Saturday, August 2nd
-Depart Lusaka for Johannesburg at 1:50pm - Arrive in Johannesburg at 4:00pm
-Depart Johannesburg for London Heathrow at 9:10pm (overnight flight)

Sunday, August 3rd
-Arrive in London at 7:20am
-Depart London for DFW at 11:40am - Arrive in DFW at 3:40pm

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts and prayers while we're away.

To God be the GLORY!
Mindy

Counting down the days...4 to go!

I've been a horrible, horrible blogger lately. It's been over a week and a half since my last post. I apologize...really, I do....but my life is just plain crazy right now with work and getting ready for Africa. We leave on SUNDAY! I can't believe it! We are so excited and can hardly wait...but I'm about to go nuts trying to get everything together. First of all...I HATE packing....throw a 4 page packing list in there....and I hate it even worse! I'm probably over exaggerating a bit, but I really can't wait to have all my suitcases packed and waiting by the back door ready to go to the airport! Whoooo hooooo!!

Have a Happy 4th!

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love celebrating our freedom with parades, cookouts, and of course the FIREWORKS! This 4th, we're celebrating at our family cabin in Buena Vista, CO. We're going white water rafting on the Arkansas River tomorrow morning and we'll cook out and watch the fireworks from our back porch tomorrow night. I'm looking so forward to it!

Wishing you a happy 4th filled with lots of love and sparklers!!

XOXO,
Mindy

Aspen!

Here are a few pics from Aspen....we're having so much fun!

Dinner last night at Pacifica....the best seafood in Aspen....




Hiking this morning on Aspen Mountain....




Mopeds...



On top of Aspen Mountain...the views were spectacular...and there is still so much snow left in July!




We're off to our cabin in Buena Vista tomorrow afternoon. And the boys (Josh, Jimmy and Ben) get here on Thursday!

Enjoying the 70 degree weather,
Mindy :)