http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/OLP/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from OLP en-us Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:30:16 +0000 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:30:16 +0000 Glad all made it home safely. Meghan gets the prize for getting at least 75 pictures up on her facebook page Check them out. Here is the last group shot at the Botswana border and then one more at the Falls http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Botswana/blog-416890.html The 13 Conifer members of the Zambia14 returned Tuesday disembarking at DIA. Meghan we assume arrived 24 hours later and will look for her entryTrip home was somewhat uneventful the fastest anyone had to move occurred with these events 1 Sean had to quickly demonstrate his juggling prowess to a grouchy security guard who eyed the juggling batons suspiciously saying you could BEAT some http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Conifer/blog-416870.html I have time for one more blog so thought I would tell the tale of the Chicken Caper. It is one of the pranks that the girls managed to pull off on Artie and Steven...with the help of their new friar student friends Emmanuel Manny and Augustine AND with the help of the College president Fr Mack and Fr Bonaventure the friary guardian.It involves catching the chickens and putting them in Steven a http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-415688.html Trying to get one more blog in and some pictures loaded.Yesterday was interesting with our Botswana adventures which the youth have lots of tales about. However we did not forget about mass on Sunday either. Since it was such a packed day we brought a mass kit with us and celebrated the Eucharist at a very special time. It was in the army tankcontainer vehicle that transported us from Zambia to http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Livingstone/blog-415657.html Hello allWe are so sorry for not getting more blogs out but no one has had much access to the internet. Today was a great day for all. We went to Botswana for the day and experienced Chobe National Park with all the animals. For the parents of Monica and Sarah some bungee jumping and Gorge Swing has been attempted and accomplished. All are well and I am sure they are looking forward to sharing http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Livingstone/blog-415530.html Congratulations to Fr. Patrick on 10 years of priesthood What a wonderful celebration. We were at mass for a total of 6 hours on Sunday tons of singing and dancing and a suprisingly unique offering We ate more caterpillars african bologna with cake on the same plate. We continue to be amazed by the Zambian's generosity and hospitality what joyful peopleMonday we left Ndola and headed back to http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-414187.html We arrived back at the Franciscan Center in Ndola from which we had departed on Thursday morning for Ibenga see previous entry. We woke Friday morning and after Anna and Sarah had nicely milked Father Angelo's cows we think they are cow girls at heart we toured the Ibenga hospital and left some of the medical supplies we brought. We also had the great pleasure of seeing Violet an adorable http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Copperbelt-/blog-413091.html Ibenga Mission Copperbelt regionThe group arrived at Ibenga Mission after a long day of service work at Walale Nutrition Center feeding over 800 orphans ages 2 yrs to 12 yrs visiting with the children and old people at Chibote Leprosarium and having lunch hosted by the Missionary Sisters of St Francis of Assisi. Sr Sabina who has visited the parish in Conifer gave tours and made sure all were http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Copperbelt-/blog-412773.html Monday Left Bonaventure College in Lusaka with the van and Sandy's Red Beast loaded with peopleboxesbooksmedssupplies heading 320km north toward Ndola. Driving north out of Lusaka into the African bush as it appeared before deforestation removed the grasses and mukwa and mopani trees through termite mounds women carrying baskets of guava charcoal colorful vegetable stand stops Stephe http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Copperbelt-/Ndola/blog-411544.html Hello EveryoneThis should be the second blog of the day. If you have not read the summary of the first please do so for the facts and figures of the trip over the last 2 days. Tomorrow we get into the meat of the missionary part of the trip. Though we have helped with some destructionconstruction of a building in Lusaka and visited the school and compounds slums of Chawama those were http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Copperbelt-/blog-411551.html Sunday mass today at a huge church in Chawama given by our very own father Clifford. The choir sounded like angels sent from God and filled the entire room packed with people who all gave us such a warm welcome with friendly smiles and hanshakes. We got the chance to meet and talk with many people youth adults and children after mass. We then took the rest of the morning to walk through the http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-410896.html Hello A quick note since it is late and everyone is pooped. After the last 2 days of exhausting activities we got up today celebrated mass which I am finding very nice to start the day withtoo bad work gets in the way of doing this at home which a few of the youngsters were unable to roll out of bed for had a leisurely breakfast and loaded Father Patrick's truck with the last of the med http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/blog-410562.html 18 JuneAs the group began to recover from jet lag we visited Hidden Valley School for special needs students in one of the local compounds ghetto. We were there to deliver books and school supplies as well as to interact with the youth. Upon meeting with Sister Maura we quickly began work on the buiding. We filled cracks in walls tore down walls removed a bathtub from a concrete block http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-410258.html So there are more blogs coming I just happen to have the best internet access. Here is the groups respite from the morning's work at Hidden Voice. They will post and tell you their super stories when they have internet access. So enjoy these pictures of their little break. Sr Josephine and her Franciscan community provided the feast and some of the entertainment It was a nice reunion from the ni http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-410113.html Well after the longest night of our lives too many hours in an airplane seat with 6 meals served on airline plastic and several attempts at a couple of hours of sleep wrapped in South African Air blankets and pillows with a couple of the cutest screaming babies you have ever seen we finally arrived in Lusaka. We were fortunate to have Sister Josephine meet us at the airport to spirit awa http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-409481.html The Zambia 14 survived their first night in Lusaka. Their first morning began with their first mass at the beautiful chapel at Rivortorto Friary. Fr John Lesa was the celebrant and officially welcomed the group to their first full day.A bit overwhelming looking at the boxes that filled a bus the night before but by the time lunch was over they got working on separating and unpacking and resorting http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-409471.html The First of Many HurdlesThe Zambia 13 boarded the plane in Denver this morning The group arrived 3 hours early and with the help of a friend who works for United Airlines all of the boxes and bags were loaded on the plane. United waived their extra baggage fee but the group had to pay the South African Airways fees. It was quite a scene bringing in all the boxes marking them loading the http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-408827.html In the last 24 hours we have been scrambling to get all the cure kits books shoes and clothes in our groups vehicles to bring on the plane tomorrow June 15 09. Also our group got a blessing from our church today and we are so grateful to have such a supportive church and community. Our whole group is so excited... and a little nervous for our trip tomorrow but we are confident to get thro http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/Kabwata/blog-408593.html Blessing for the JourneyToday the community blessed the young people and adults who are leaving from OLP to journey to Zambia. All the preparations are done and if they are not OH WELL Sandy and Meghan are preparing the way in Zambia and tomorrow morning the group will board the plane and start their trip. Look out Zambia here they come and remember they come with our blessing http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Copperbelt-/blog-408569.html Great job with the assignment Fr Patrick will be printing them out and handing them to your hostshostesses in Zambia so they all know a bit about you.I've been to the airport and made initial contact about clearing the medical supplies and will spend Monday preclearance...so bring the medical supplies on They are so needed. Any more packing slips need to be to me by Sunday night your time.We http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-408196.html