On our honeymoon in 2004, Kim and I went to one of the natural wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon. Seeing the Grand Canyon was spectacular and majestic. Now, seven years and two kids later, we went to another of the natural wonders located right here in Zambia – Victoria Falls. Measuring at 360 feet high (not that we ever saw the bottom of the Falls!), Mosi-o-Tunya (or as well call them, Victoria Falls) is the largest waterfall in the world. If the Grand Canyon reveals the majesty of God, Victoria Falls reveals the power and might of God. It was truly awe-inspiring. I’m not even sure how to capture in words what it was like to experience the Falls. Maybe the pictures below will capture what I can’t. But I can say this: it was one of the most fun, enjoyable and incredible experiences of my life. Thank you God for the opportunity to experience Victoria Falls.

One quick and funny (now) story. Baboons run free throughout the national park at the Falls. We were just standing there, taking a break, when one of the baboons ran up and tried to rip Kim’s skirt off! She, of course, screamed. Jeremiah panicked that it was after his fruit snacks. With the screaming, the baboon ran off. A few seconds later, park security came up to us, having seen what just happened. One of the guys looked at me and said that if it comes back, and then, with a hand motion, demonstrated a punch. At first, we thought he might be joking. Nope. That was his recommendation. If the baboon came back, he wanted me to punch it in the face! Fortunately for PETA, it never came to that.

PS> My favorite of the pictures below is the one of Kim and I with our feet in the Zambezi. We were, literally, just 30 feet north of the Falls with our feet in the river. What a cool experience.

Victoria Falls

Enjoy these pictures of our travels so far: Sarasota to Orlando, Orlando to St. Louis, St. Louis to Boston, Boston to Philly, Philly to London and, finally, London to Lusaka.

Zambia

In the Philly airport…ready to embark on our great adventure! Our friends, Luke and Kelly Larkin are also adopting and brought their three kids, Kate, Will and Hudson In the Philly airport…ready to embark on our great adventure! Our friends, Luke and Kelly Larkin are also adopting and brought their three kids, Kate, Will and Hudson	By the River Thames and the London Eye By the River Thames and the London Eye	Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Big Ben Big Ben	Westminister Abbey Westminister Abbey	The wedding viewing area set up across the street from Westminster Abbey. It was pretty funny stuff…this was Wednesday and people were already camping out with their tents for Friday’s wedding! The wedding viewing area set up across the street from Westminster Abbey. It was pretty funny stuff…this was Wednesday and people were already camping out with their tents for Friday’s wedding!
Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey	Outside of Westminster Abbey. We couldn’t go in because this was only 2 days before the royal wedding. Outside of Westminster Abbey. We couldn’t go in because this was only 2 days before the royal wedding.	Inscription on the outside wall of the Westminster Abbey. Inscription on the outside wall of the Westminster Abbey.
This was quite a pilgrimage for Steve…his first visit to one of the key historic sites in reformed theology. The Westminster Confession of Faith was written here. This was quite a pilgrimage for Steve…his first visit to one of the key historic sites in reformed theology. The Westminster Confession of Faith was written here.	J checking out the map of London…Mommy’s son for sure! J checking out the map of London…Mommy’s son for sure!	Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace
J with the Harrod’s bear at the airport…yes, you could purchase this bear for only 1,600 British pounds! J with the Harrod’s bear at the airport…yes, you could purchase this bear for only 1,600 British pounds!	Our arrival in Lusaka! Our arrival in Lusaka!	The welcome to Zambia sign as we entered the airport building The welcome to Zambia sign as we entered the airport building
The welcoming sight of our driver and Pastor Zozi! The welcoming sight of our driver and Pastor Zozi!	In the mini-bus (we don’t all fit in a regular taxi!) In the mini-bus (we don’t all fit in a regular taxi!)	View from our mini bus View from our mini bus
Playground at the Baptist Mission compound Playground at the Baptist Mission compound	That is our apartment…literally right next to the playground…J’s dream place! That is our apartment…literally right next to the playground…J’s dream place!	The mini-bus The mini-bus
In front of House of Moses. We aren’t allowed to take any pictures inside, but this is the outside wall. In this picture is also Abby, a student at the University of Zambia and now a wonderful friend! In front of House of Moses. We aren’t allowed to take any pictures inside, but this is the outside wall. In this picture is also Abby, a student at the University of Zambia and now a wonderful friend!	Outside the elementary school at the Chowama compound where we attended church on Sunday Outside the elementary school at the Chowama compound where we attended church on Sunday	Steve teaching the Bible study, translated by Pastor Zozi Steve teaching the Bible study, translated by Pastor Zozi
Sunday school Sunday school	The classrooms at the school The classrooms at the school	Worshipping with the people of The Lord is Peace Church Worshipping with the people of The Lord is Peace Church
J enjoying his spaghetti. Quite the mess! J enjoying his spaghetti. Quite the mess!	Lounging on the couch in our living (and dining) room. Lounging on the couch in our living (and dining) room.	Sleeping under the mosquito nets Sleeping under the mosquito nets
Crosswalk over Addis Ababa and Great East roads by the Manda Hill Mall Crosswalk over Addis Ababa and Great East roads by the Manda Hill Mall	Traffic on Great East road Traffic on Great East road	Outside look at our little cottage at the Baptist Mission of Zambia Outside look at our little cottage at the Baptist Mission of Zambia
Mwauka Bwanji – Good Morning Mwauka Bwanji – Good Morning	See-saw See-saw	Luke and Kate Luke and Kate
Putting sprinkles on Daddy’s birthday cake Putting sprinkles on Daddy’s birthday cake	Happy Birthday Steve Happy Birthday Steve	Big J eating cake with Daddy and MomMom Big J eating cake with Daddy and MomMom
We love you, Larkins! We love you, Larkins!	Love Will’s tongue! Love Will’s tongue!	Our family – before Charis Our family – before Charis
Riding the giraffe Riding the giraffe	playing the drums playing the drums	Yup, that tomato will do Yup, that tomato will do
Shopping carts just his size Shopping carts just his size

Arizona19 picturesApr 24, 2009

Hope spring is treating you all well! We have had quite a busy couple of weeks. In April, we went to Arizona for the CSRM (Christian Sports & Recreation Ministers) Conference with Paul, Dawn & Cassidy Oakes. Steve & Paul had a great time at the conference while Dawn, Cassidy, Jeremiah & I hung out at the pool and soaked up some sun! In other fun news, Steve hit the big 3-0 this month and Kim enjoyed her first trip to Baseball 101 with the Phillies for Mother’s Day. Enjoy all the pics (plus a few new ones under “Spring is Here”).

Steve’s Surprise 30th Birthday Party12 picturesMay 2, 2009

Baseball 10135 picturesMay 13, 2009

Spring is here!33 picturesApr 15, 2009

We are having a ton of fun enjoying the outdoors…a whole new world for Jeremiah! He wants to be on the move so badly and it won’t be long before he is crawling. He can now push up on his hands, almost roll from back to belly and can scoot backwards until he gets tired and yells…baby-proofing here we come!

As a family, we had been on the run and God blessed us with a week in Florida at just the right time. It was incredible with God surprising us at every turn. Jeremiah had so much fun. Enjoy the pictures.

First Florida Vacation48 picturesMar 27, 2009