February 18, 2022

Earlier today, Fr. Nestor drove me 3-1/2 hours to Mbeya, where I boarded a flight to Dar es Salaam. I was greeted at the airport in Dar es Salaam by Oda, a police officer and longtime friend of Fr. Nestor.

After leaving the airport, we picked up Fr. Nestor’s sister, Sr. Beatrice (an oncology doctor in Dar es Salaam). Sr. Beatrice (shown above with Oda) had to make sure that I arrived safely to my hotel for the night; I love her thoughtfulness and kindness. 

Once I checked into the hotel, they departed. Oda will be back at 6:15 a.m. to take me back to the airport for my flight to Arusha in the northern part of Tanzania. I will then board another flight to Lake Manyara. I will have 1-1/2 days to enjoy a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, and then will fly on Monday to Serengeti for three days of safari.

Next Thursday, I will fly back to Dar es Salaam (I will then have 10 hours of free time before my 25-hour journey back home.). Fr. Nestor is planning on spending a couple of days in Dar es Salaam on behalf of INUKA, so I will get some time with him on Thursday before the flight home.

I am very eager to see the beauty of God’s creation and these fascinating animals in the wild. If I have access to Wi-Fi, I will do my best to get a couple of additional updates released.