safari

 We once again had visitors come to Uganda. Because it was their first experience in Uganda, we took them to Murchison Falls National Park for two nights. I really enjoy photography and love taking pictures of all the animals especially the giraffes - I could sit and photograph giraffes all day. 

Ugandan Kob 

Water Buck

Cape Buffalo. These are Luka's favorite. They each seem to have a different expression on their faces based on the curve of their horns and the mud on their face. 

Elephants! I love elephants. Last year we hardly saw any elephants, but this time we saw quiet a few. 

My sunroof buddies.

We drove off road to see a lioness and cubs in the bushes. I have never seen a cub this little. The other "cubs" we saw were actually juveniles.

The big mama was enjoying a meal. We got a little too close to her dinner and see looked at us with blood around her mouth and growled. 

I was a pretty frustrated with the bushes that made it difficult to photograph the lions. I was constantly clicking photos trying to get a couple good ones. However, the experience was pretty amazing regardless. 

Luka took pictures during the boat ride since I  stayed with Emalai and Makai at the pool. He did a pretty good job. 

River Horses - the Greek name for hippotamus.

Murchison Falls. They say the water's fast current cut through the rock forming the falls.

Crocodile 

More elephants! 

And a baby! 

I saved the best pictures for last - all the giraffes! 

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Bordering the park is Lake Albert. Poachers pose as fishermen and use the lake as an entrance into the the park. Several of the animals we saw had be wounded by snare traps. Several giraffes had wounded and swollen ankles, one giraffe was missing a foot, and one elephant only had half a trunk. The longer l live in Uganda that more history l learn and the more l fall in love with the people and the land. I recently learned that during Uganda's years of civil unrest beginning in the 1970s, ninety percent of Uganda's wildlife was killed. Although Uganda is enjoying a time of peace, the wildlife is still hunted and poached for food and money. I came up with two reasons why this happens. First, when people are focused on survival, life is not valued. This is not only seen through poaching but also in the way farmers treat their animals. Many people in Uganda live in extreme poverty. They are willing to do anything to survive or make money. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority fights against poachers to protect Uganda's remaining wildlife. Secondly, life is not valued - whether animals or human life - when individuals do not understand the gospel. Understanding that God created everything for His glory and pleasure and called it "good" makes us appreciate His creation and animals. We acknowledge the sanctity of human life when we believe God creates everyone with a purpose and understand what Jesus did on the cross. Knowing and embracing our identity in Christ allows us to see others through God's eyes. The lenses through which we view ourselves will be the lenses we use with those around us.