The Challenges of the African Context on Biblical Interpretation

Introduction

The existing response to the modern scholarly approach to biblical interpretation in Africa cannot precisely be assessed. Some widespread research has to be done to gawk what African Christians make of the historical needful approach to biblical interpretation.

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What is evident any way is the clamour for a unique African Christianity and inclusive is the desire for a particular guide to interpretation of scriptures in the African mode. It should be noted that while this may be a possibility, there are any challenges to be countenanced. The African context poses these challenges to be discussed due to some reasons. Osadolor Imasogie suggests that the mean African's commitment to Christ is superficial, he often reverts to primary practices. `

If there is no commitment to biblical scholarship then biblical interpretation would continue to be what it is. John Parrat mentions Dickson and Fashole Luke as Africans who "see biblical scholarship as an urgent task" in African Christianity today, which has been too much neglected by the African church2

The Challenge of African Tradition

African tradition as a challenge in biblical interpretation takes into cognizance: The Language model and The ancestor factor. Other primary factors may come into focus from other dimensions but these two by far may outweigh any others.

The language Model

To teach sound biblical interpretation means to gift the scripture to Africans in their own precisely understood language forms. To the greater African audience, the English Bible has been the major source of translations into indigenous African languages. N. Onwu observes this qoute in his essay "The Dilemma of the African Theologian. He cites some words in the New Testament which he says cannot precisely find equivalents in the Igbo language. He says language is a great qoute in hermeneutics precisely because hermeneutics to a large extent is bound to be linguistic and therefore contextual. Language is the soul of the people, the incommunicable into people's culture, philosophy of life and thought; meaning patterns. It is through languages that reality is distorted. The biblical languages have their own characteristic language models and sometimes do not find easily, indigenous equivalents in some African languages.

To stress this point a comparison of the wording in the English Bible of Ephesians 6:12, with that of the Krio(Sierra Leone) bible would enable anyone to see the challenge of the language model in African biblical interpretation.

The Ancestor Factor

Most of the annotation levied on African tradition is centered on the African world view of ancestors. Western Christianity in particular has incessantly pounded African Religion for its refusal to let go this aspect of ancestors. Some Africans on their part being so devoted to this cultural trait have defended the ancestor mode steadfastly.

Charles Nyamiti, a Tanzanian Roman Catholic theologian, says Christ may be regarded as Ancestor because just as the human ancestor establishes a link in the middle of the spirit world and the living, so Jesus by His crucifixion and resurrection establishes a mystical link in the middle of God and the Christian community. Nyamiti believes that in Africa the association in the middle of God and Jesus is more understandable if regarded as one in the middle of ancestor and descendant than in primary Christian imagery of father and son. Someone else African Benezet Buju agrees that Jesus is best understood as the first ancestor; by which he means Jesus fulfilled all the characteristics of the ideal ancestor but at the same time transcend them.

With the primary Christian teaching of Christ as the divine word of God, it becomes explicit that ancestorship in teaching a biblical hermeneutic is the challenge to encounter. There are many other primary challenges to be encountered but these are discussed in a proposed guide to doing theology in Africa. For instance, questions such as how to teach the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts to indigenous Africans, without them mental of the many spirits inhabiting their natural environments.

The Challenge of Contextualization

It is widely standard that the modern car for production the gospel relevant is contextualization. Indigenization as could be seen, has not worked since it only led to some forms of religious syncretism. The rigid conservative choice has also not done much inspecting the view that its application leads to viewing Christianity as a foreign religion and one for middle and upper class people.

The need for contextualization has been a consensus among many theologians. Learned conferences exemplified by one organized by the W.A.T.I. In 1984 in Nigeria on the theme "Contextualization of Christianity in Nigeria", bears eloquent testimony to this trend.

Contextualization may be an standard choice to indigenization or conservatism in modern Christianity. But in teaching biblical interpretation questions of what to contextualize, how, by whom and when are all challenges to be faced if we are to overcome over-contextualization or under-contextualization.

The Challenge of the Interpreter

With all the above challenges nearly overcome, the biggest and perhaps most important is the attitude of the proposed interpreter. From the historical report we have noted that most population come to scripture with their presuppositions and frames of reference. The meaning deduced from a particular text may be influenced by the interpreter's presuppositions. Even if the examiner confronts a scriptural text with a 'tabular rasa' mind he still has sufficient questions which may either leave him frustrated and empty; which in that instance he may want to abandon the process. perhaps he may want to appeal to Someone else source which in this case may be a subjective source that may never supply the needed answer. On the whole it is the attitude of the examiner that will bring out the answers. A pragmatic examiner may for instance not find anyone spirited in the Songs of Solomon or the great part of the gospel of Saint John. A naturalist will see very itsybitsy significance in the teaching of the miracles of Jesus. An existentialist may never find anyone of significance in the narrative of the Exodus.

Socio-economic factors are also challenges within the wider perspective of the interpreter. An examiner who is mental more about the socio-political problems of the continent will no doubt appeal to the liberation theologian for his paradigm of interpretation. A feminist will right on want to quarrel with texts of scripture that express the submission of wives to their husbands etc. On the whole the attitude, mental and status of the examiner are challenges to be faced in the hermeneutical task.

Conclusion

Biblical interpretation is as profound as it is important and interesting. As an African theologian my interest is focused on the permissible comprehension of scripture based on sound interpretation principles with a view to production the scriptures contextually relevant to the African mind. This is the task we now have to face and squarely address. Exegesis and not eisegesis should be our tool.

The Challenges of the African Context on Biblical Interpretation

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

Walking Safari in the Selous Game retain

The walking safaris are commonly based colse to a bivouac which will be positioned under tall shady trees close to one of the many lagoons close to the Rufiji River. The Selous is a magical place and plainly sitting in front of your tent you are able to watch the endless procession of birds and animals throughout the day. The camps are small with up to about six tents. Some are made from mosquito netting and your are truly sleeping under African skies.

The tents are large sufficient to stand in and have permissible beds with mattresses. It is comfortable by camping standards but remember you are in the wilds of Africa and to be prepared to rough it just a limited is a requirement. Showers are commonly bucket showers but the water will be hot. Relaxed meals with perfect food are prepared over open fire and the camp cooks are trained chefs.

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Another great draw of the Selous is this huge withhold has high concentration of animals and a low concentration of tourists and is probably one of the best places to see animals in Tanzania.

Tanzania does not allow walking safaris in its National Parks with just one or two exceptions, however, the Selous is classified as a Game withhold and so walking safaris are allowed. The walks are commonly three to four hours long and the game colse to the river and lake systems act as a magnet for a vast aggregate of animals including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. The area is also home to one of the few remaining wild dog populations in the world. There are more than 300 species of bird here and this is a paradise for any animal enthusiast.

The buffalo population stands in excess of 110,000. Waking in a morning, colse to the camping area you may be able to observe hundreds of buffalo advent to drink water from the Rufiji River. This alone is one calculate [among many] to make the Selous your safari destination. The buffalo have a reputation to be bad tempered and risky to humans. This ferocious reputation is a limited unfair as like most animals they tend to avoid humans, unless harassed or wounded.

The best time to book a walking safari in the Selous is from June until September when the weather is dry and warm - with animals being draw to the plentiful water colse to the Rufiji River. Grazing is also spare on the ground manufacture this time of year easy for spotting the large concentrations of game.

If birds are your main passion then the hotter and greener season of October to March is a good time to come with many young hatching at this time. Be aware that from November through to January there is a good chance of rain.

The Selous is not far from Dar es Salaam and there are air strips to the Selous manufacture entrance easily. The cost of the regular scheduled flights in light aircraft is not high-priced from Dar es Salaam, with most camps will include transfers from the airstrips to the camp as part of their service.

Walking Safari in the Selous Game retain

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How to Get a Head Start on Raising Funds For Short Term Mission Trips.

If you are planning on going on a short term mission trip or know that you would like to someday, you realize that raising your financial support is a major element. Most individuals that participate in the short term mission experience raise funds through a financial appeal to friends, family and their local church. One program that we have implemented at Mission Solutions is what we call a 'Mission Savings Plan.' It allows you to contribute toward your own support goal over an extended period of time.

First, let's go over the primary way this program works. You will contribute any amount you desire, each month, until the deadline for funds to be in for your trip. This can really add up, especially if the trip is a year or more in the future. For example, if you sent a month then after a year you would have 0 toward your goal, and all before starting any fundraising! Our trips to the Dominican Republic typically cost 00 to 00. If you have saved as in the example above, you would already have 20% of your support goal. You can also participate in a Mission Savings Plan before you have decided which location or trip dates you will go with.

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A good guideline to implement would be to set a specific amount for each month. You wouldn't have to contribute all or any one month if money was tight, but having a specific amount helps you plan your personal budget and meet your goal. You would also be able to send in extra as you are able, providing even more funds for your trip. Another guideline to follow would be to find a non-profit organization, like your church or the ministry you plan on taking the trip with, and send your monthly contribution directly to them. At Mission Solutions, we allow individuals to give in this way and we set the money aside, only to be used for the participant's future trip. This will benefit the ministry through any interest gained from your money as well as prevent you from accessing the saved funds for anything besides your mission trip. Another benefit of sending your funds directly to a non-profit is that many times the ministry will send you a monthly reminder, keeping you on track. If you are not able to contribute directly to a non-profit or church, then set up a separate savings account just for your mission trip and consider the higher yield online savings accounts.

It is also important to set up a few other rules, especially if you are a non-profit that is considering this program. Make it clear that once the funds are donated, that they can only be used for a mission trip. This will encourage participants to not give up on their desire to serve through missions. Also, if someone decides that they cannot go or are no longer able to go, give them the option to have the funds attributed to another team member's fundraising goal for his/her mission trip. You may also consider asking if these funds could be used for a team member that is furthest behind in fundraising progress or for team expenses.

This program is a very simple way to help you reach your support raising goal. It also allows you to personally contribute, showing others that you truly believe in what you are doing and that you are not solely depending on their financial support. Even a very small amount will add up fast and make a huge impact.

How to Get a Head Start on Raising Funds For Short Term Mission Trips.

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captivating Facts About the Kruger National Park

The best time to visit the Kruger National Park is, surprisingly, while the winter season. The hypothesize for this is that the grass and leaves are minimal, leaving you with a great chance to spot the exotic wildlife on offer. Also, many births occur in the winter months, meaning that a safari while that period offers a unique viewing spectacle. Autumn is the worst time of year to visit if you are interested in catching a notice of the "big five" as the grass is dense and high then.

The Kruger National Park is one of the most paramount safari destinations in South Africa, and precisely Africa. It is home to an large collection of plants, birds and mammals (including the ""big five") There are 147 mammalian species found in the park ranging from the majestic Leopards and Lions to the mischievous Spotted Hyenas.

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Birdwatchers will have 517 dissimilar species to view, depending on the time of the year. In particular, the park is home to many raptors or "birds of prey," as they are otherwise known, including the Bateleur and the Martial eagle, the Tawny eagle, the African fish-eagle and the African hawk-eagle. Besides the animals that live in the Kruger National Park, there are also 1,982 plant species. The park's gates are open year round, regularly from 5:30am to 6:00pm.

The Kruger National Park has all the facilities that one would expect from a world class holiday destination. The accommodation in the game preserve is spread across dissimilar camp sites. There is a bank and Atm inside each park and a few Atm's at some of the camp shops, though these don't always have cash. Every main rest camp has a fuel station. There are Internet café's at most of the main camps as well as cell phone reception. So, you can rest assured that you will still be "connected". There is also a medical physician in the park in case of emergencies, as well as hospitals nearby.

The Kruger National Park is a beautiful getaway, and welcomes visitors from all over the world. However, it is important to effect the rules that are. Printed on the entry permit. The South African Police aid (Saps) have recently cracked down on those who don't effect the rules.

In fact, the Kruger National Park valid authorities have increases fines by 250% for this festive season (2009). In addition, stop and hunt operations will be held on all the major roads in the park. The hypothesize is to help ensure a safer experience for everyone.

There are many options ready for tours and accommodation at the Kruger National Park that cater for (almost) any budget. If you are after ability accommodation, it is advisable to book way in advance, because prime locations are snapped up very quickly.

captivating Facts About the Kruger National Park

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

The Origins of Voodoo

An old and often misunderstood religion, Voodoo is one of many pre-Christian faiths that can be traced to all the way to West Africa and Haiti. Even though it has been depicted as evil by Hollywood and the mainstream media, many of the deities and practices are in no way used for demonic or negative purposes. Instead, they share similar characteristics to Catholicism and some Pagan faiths. You have one God, but complicated deities that govern over nature, emotions, and even certain animals. Where Voodoo gets a bad rap the most is for its rituals and negative uses in certain regions of the world.

Ancestor worship in Voodoo is very prevalent in prayers and rituals, but with a twist. Instead of an afterlife, followers believe that their dead ancestors are still living among them as spirits. Aside from that, the practices and rituals vary from one congregation to another. Many still believe in animal sacrifices to show gratitude for a flourishing hunt, harvest, or other joyous occasions. One that stays solid is the appointment of Queen Mothers (similar to bishops or imams, but made to provide spiritual needs for their respected family clans). They are typically the elderly women in the clans and given a title based on their most respected ancestors (much like how the Pope is given his).

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Animal sacrifices may turn some non-believers green in the face, but other rituals hold a more tolerable place in Voodoo. Special talismans, or "fetishes", are sometimes made from or are dried animal parts that help recharge a worshipper's soul or in case,granted for certain purposes (ie: security for evil). Other talismans are created from plants or other natural resources. The paramount "Voodoo Doll" is one of them, but it's far from the doll-shaped pin upholstery used in Tv and movies.

Where Voodoo has been known for its negative uses is in the American southeast and any country that brought slaves from West Africa. During captivity, many practitioners would cast hexes and spells on their owners and bosses when their fellow laborer was beaten or killed. One of the signs that they were used was a black X that can be found on or around old slave quarters. Some slaves even went as far as defacing free pendants given by Christian missionaries to show honor towards certain female deities. Many of those pendants were made of gold or silver at the time, making them last for generations.

Today, Voodoo is a minority religion that has survived and kept a strong following since. It is still prevalent in West Africa to a certain degree, but Haiti and the U.S. (specifically Louisiana and other southern states) have the most familiar nearnessy when the religion is mentioned to non-believers. Like other religions, Voodoo has and can be used for both good and evil purposes. However, many go with the first due to the consequences that can arise with the second (having a hex backfire is one of them). Otherwise, Voodoo as a whole can be just as complex and certain as other organized faiths, but with its own set of beliefs and deities to worship.

The Origins of Voodoo

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The Crucified Life - Hating Our Brothers and Sisters

Jesus calls us to do many things In Luke 14:26 he says that we must hate our brothers and sisters in order to be his disciple. What does this look like?

When Jesus taught in Luke 14:26 and said that we must hate our brother and sisters in order to be his disciple surely he did not mean that we need to actually hate them and have nothing to do with them.

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I am not sure about you. I have two brothers and a sister and I love all them all. I have an older brother that I love very much and whom I speak to one the phone more than once a week. To lose that brother in order to follow Jesus better would be hard, though if asked to do so by Jesus I would do so.

So what does hating your brother and sister really mean?

Let us just say that you are a Muslim and you decide to follow Jesus. Suppose you go home and tell your parents and they reject you and tell you to go and speak to your brothers and sisters about your new faith. Imagine your older brother is a zealous Muslim and when you tell your brother he says you need to leave you new faith or he will kill you. At this stage to be the disciple of Jesus Christ, you need to flee from your home town and go and live a life for Jesus.

Let us say that God has put a calling on your life to go and preach in Africa. Let us say you are like me and you have a wonderful and close relationship with your brother. Let us say you tell him and he says that there are no phones in Africa and there is no way that you both can stay in touch and that he does not agree that God has got a calling in your life to serve Jesus in Africa.

Jesus says that if you are going to be His true disciple and follow Him and with good spiritual counsel from Godly people you are assured that Jesus is really calling you to Africa, you must leave your brother behind and move to Africa.

Jesus assured us that nothing short of that is following Him or being His disciple.

You need not hate your brother or sister or your mother or father, and yet sometimes Jesus will call you to make decisions in your Christian life that might make your loved ones think that you do not love them. We need to do what Jesus tells us to do and no person must be in our way.

The Crucified Life - Hating Our Brothers and Sisters

MISSIONS TRIPS AFRICA

Evaluating Your Program - Begin at the Beginning With Your Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives

This is the second in a series of articles on program evaluation. The first article discusses why we evaluate programs and gives a brief overview of the process. This article gives details on the initial steps of that process.

The best place to begin is at the beginning. By that I mean, revisit the idea or plan the led to the establishment of your program. Does your program or organization have a mission statement? Goals? If these documents are already in place, they can help provide the structure for your evaluation. You might first want to touch base with the relevant stakeholders, to be sure that these documents still reflect how you view yourselves and what you do. If not, consider updating them. If these documents are not in place, it is best to begin your evaluation by creating them, with input from all of the relevant stakeholders.

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Once the mission statement and goals are in place, you can move on to writing specific objectives (also called outcomes or outcome statements). Objectives are more specific than goals. Goals tend to be broader in scope, and are likely to remain relevant from year to year, as long as the focus of your organization or program does not change. A goal might be "help homeless families reestablish themselves." The objectives should be the specific strategies that you intend to implement to bring about the desired changes. For example, if your goal is to help homeless families, one of your objectives could be, "provide job placement counseling and assistance." Another objective could be, "provide assistance in locating affordable housing." If your program helps homeless families, it would not be hard to believe that you are doing both of these things. Each unique aspect of what you do needs its own objective. Further, if your program specializes exclusively in job placement assistance, for example, you'll likely need to write a number of objectives in relation to this that are much more specific than my example above.

The best advice I can give regarding writing your objectives is the make them measurable and use active verbs. If it is not something that you can see, hear, count, weigh or otherwise hold in your hand it will be hard to come up with a credible way to measure it. Here's a bad example: "Students will appreciate the differences between baroque and renaissance musical forms." I'm not sure how I can tell by looking at someone whether or not they appreciate something. However, "Students will be able to differentiate various compositions based upon their knowledge of baroque and renaissance musical forms," or "Clients will be able to identify and effectively implement three effective job-seeking strategies," are statements we can work with.

Use active verbs that clearly communicate the expected outcome. There are a number of online sources for lists of active verbs which you will likely find helpful. I also recommend chapter 2 of Mary J. Allen's (2004) Assessing Academic Programs in Higher Education (Anker Publishing Company). Though this book was intended for college and university faculty and administrators, it has very broad application.

Finally, don't be at all frustrated if you or some of your stakeholders are not completely satisfied with your first efforts. It often takes the most experienced of us more than one round to come up with a mission statement and goals that capture the focus of your program, and objectives that are truly representative of what you do on an daily basis. Keep in mind that this article and the others in this series are not intended the replace the need for professional consultation, but to enable you to be more aware of the process as you work with your consultant.

Happy Evaluating!

Evaluating Your Program - Begin at the Beginning With Your Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives

MISSIONS TRIPS

Fund-Raising Ideas for Mission Trips

Building financial support through a letter to family and friends

On the average, 0 can be raised through well-written letters sent to about 75 people who know you: family members and friends. Some groups prepare a fund-raising letter in a downloadable form so participants can easily personalize it. Spread the word widely; don't limit the letters to Christian friends and family. Send thank-you letters for every financial gift. Sometimes, "thank you" notes will even bring follow-up gifts.

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How local churches can help come up with the needed money

Give official blessing or sanction Provide letters of endorsement on church stationery [ more info ] Let people share with the congregation in services Allow pleas for donations during services Host informational meetings about the trip Publicize the trip Information in the congregation's monthly newsletter Inserts in the weekly church bulletin Call attention to those that get involved in local ministry when they return or decide to go long-term as a result of going short-term. Provide direct financial support Provide partial funding from the church budget. Help in getting out a support raising letter. Organizing prayer support. Organize fund-raising events within the church. Auction off 6 hours of the trip participant's time. Hold dinner/auction of baked goods. Auction of baked goods with pie-in-the-face.

Ideas for Fund Raiser Events

Mexican Dinner- Turn a hall into a Mexican restaurant and have the group dress in traditional Mexican as they serve a basic combination plate dinner to those who have purchased tickets. Suggested menu: tacos, rice and re-fried beans. Have volunteer cooks help with the preparation of the meal. Another suggestion would be to have the families of the group cook so they can have a chance to work together.

Bible Reading Marathon-Have members get pledges per hour to read the Bible continuously. Make it a party! Have group members take turns to reading in one room while in another have videos or team-building games that will to encourage them as they invest in their project.

Servant Auction - Auction off group members to become "servants" working for a set amount per hour paid to the organization.

Individual Sponsorship- Group members can obtain individual sponsors by personal request.

Shareholders- Supporters and friends can buy a "share" in the trip. Provide 'stock' certificates of their importance to the trip and be sure to share the experience with them after the group returns home.

Bake Sales- Be creative and add a new angle by having a "sugarless bake sale", or a "chocolate-lovers' bake sale".

Talent Show- Encourage all the members/families in your group to participate in a talent show. Charge admission and enjoy the fun!

Aluminum Can Collection- Set aside a central location or a private garage to collect aluminum cans for redemption at the local recycling center.

Hold Giant Garage/Yard Sale- Collect items from others such as clothing, furniture, car parts, electrical appliances, etc. for a profitable yard sale. Be sure to promote the cause while doing so for additional exposure.

Sunday School Class Challenge- Challenge Sunday School classes to compete with each other to raise money for the trip. Encourage them to keep track of what they collect and report on it each week. Celebrate with a class party after the trip with photos and testimonials.

Car Wash- For a car wash fund-raiser add a twist like a "car wash and wax" while people pay to hit leaders of the group with water balloons or whipped cream. The most successful car washes are FREE with the group participants getting a per-car-washed pledge from supporters. You can also sell car wash coupons ahead of time as well.

B-B-Q Cookout- Hold an old fashion BBQ after church or at some special time and location. You can even have items donated for the BBQ from individuals or local businesses.

Other ideas

Car Wash: Sell car wash coupons

Organize dinners or dinner theaters and sell tickets

Hold giant garage/rummage sale

Sell barbecue

Organize and teach an Internet beginners' course

Sell tubs of frozen cookie dough

Find a restaurant that will donate part of the cost of a meal or provide meal

Helpful Links

GoMissionsToMexico.com - Ministry Offering Safe Affordable Mission Trips to Mexico

Fund-Raising Ideas for Mission Trips

MISSIONS TRIPS

establishment for Volunteer Work Abroad

Most work abroad organizations put their volunteers through full, training before sending them off. This narrative is for habitancy who are concerned in volunteering but want to know more before manufacture a commitment to any organization. The most prominent preparations a person can do are personal, financial and informational.

Personal

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

Prepare for change. Living in a distinct culture there is a big possibility that you may undergo many changes. As you touch and socialize with new habitancy from someone else country, your ideas will grow and you may start to organize new ways of looking at the world. You may begin to feel differently about yourself, the habitancy nearby you and your beliefs. These changes may be clear to habitancy close to you and they may not fully understand.

You may touch challenges in a new country. The difficulties may initially feel insurmountable, especially if you try to deal with them on your own. Speak freely to your peers about your emotions, and know that many of them may have similar feelings. Although it is good to expect inevitable things to happen while working abroad, you also need to set realistic expectations.

Finances

Money is one of the major concerns for those who are concerned in volunteering abroad. Since you will be leaving your own country for some time, there has to be some financial planning on your part. First, you have to consider your quarterly bills. Make a list of all your bills (car payment, insurance, phone, prestige card, etc) and shape out how much money it will cost to cover them for the weeks or months you will be gone.

Second is the money it will cost to cover your travel, housing and living expenses. I know it sounds weird having to pay for volunteer work, but these are nonprofit organizations, and donations and fundraising are how things get done. If you plan to ask for donations from friends and family, put in order a presentation outlining the goals of the organizations and what you will be doing to help meet those goals.

Informational

It is smart to investigate the country you will be volunteering in. Firstly, look at a map; will you be heading north, south, east or west? What other countries are nearby? Secondly, investigate the weather; you don't want to be caught without a rain jacket, warm coat or shorts depending on what part of the world you end up, and while what season. Thirdly, is the area you will be volunteering war-torn? Has there been modern news provocative terrorist? These are very real and very scary questions that a work abroad volunteer must address.

Visit forums and other places on the internet and try and speak with person who has volunteered in the same country and region you are interested; they will be a wealth of knowledge and they can give you tips and insight about how to survive and deal with the habitancy in the area.

Prepare for change, consider the length of your stay and make introductory financial preparations for it. Consult individuals who have gone through similar experiences and get their opinions and advice. investigate the area and always stay positive; you can make a difference.

establishment for Volunteer Work Abroad

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

South Africa Safari Egghead

If you're planning a safari holiday in South Africa's Kruger National Park, you'll find yourself and your fellow travelers getting into numerous debates about all the magnificent animals you encounter.

african mango plus

Not all of us can be as knowledgeable as David Attenborough, but if you want to wise up on a few facts to impress your fellow holidaymakers on a South Africa Safari, here are a few tips to keep you ahead of the pack!

AFRICA

ZEBRA

Why do Zebras have stripes?

A herd of zebra is a stunning sight for anyone taking a holiday in South Africa's Kruger National Park, but many are left wondering why on earth these creatures have such a bizarre look. There are three main theories:

1) Identity:

Zebras' stripes are like fingerprints with each zebra having a different set of stripes. As a newborn, the young zebra stays close to its mother and learns her stripes. The foal is then able to find its' mother just by sight.

2) Camouflage:

Stripes help the zebra hide in grass from predators as well as making it more difficult for a lion to pick out any single zebra from a herd for attack. The stripes may also be confusing the visual system of the blood-sucking tsetse fly.

3) Thermoregulation:

The stripes help the zebra to have a more controlled body temperature, as they correspond with fat patterns beneath the skin, serving as a thermoregulatory mechanism.

ELEPHANT

How do elephants get so big?

On a South Africa safari, the elephants you are likely to encounter wondering along and munching on bushes are African elephants, which are distinguishable from their Asian cousins by their much larger ears. The average large Elephant bull reaches a weight of 5.5 tons and some males can be as heavy as 6.5 tons, while females average about 3.5 to 4 tons.

A large elephant bull will eat as much as 200 kg of grasses, leaves, bamboo, twigs, bark, roots, fruits, seeds and flowers a day, although only 40% of that is digested as they have a very weak digestive system. To get through all that food, Elephants eat for an average of 18 hours a day.

GIRAFFE

What is the collective noun for giraffes, and why?

You're quite likely to spot a giraffe on a safari holiday in South Africa. The tallest of all land-living animal species, there are over 9,000 giraffes in Kruger National Park, and, if you're lucky, one of these quiet and inquisitive creatures might stop to take a look, very politely, into your car window!

The collective noun for Giraffes is a 'journey'. The reason for this name is that they tend to move around - if a Giraffe feeds on the same Acacia tree for too long, the tree starts to defend itself by increasing the levels of tannin in the leaves. The increase of tannin makes the leaves taste very bitter and dry, forcing the Giraffe to move on.

LION

Do lions eat people?

Lions wouldn't usually choose to hunt for people. In Africa their preferred menu generally consists of large mammals including wildebeest, impalas, zebras, buffalo and warthogs.

However, if you're heading for a safari holiday in South Africa, beware! As a result of immigration from Mozambique, the lions close to the Mozambique / Kruger National Park border have regular encounters with people and certain prides have therefore taken up the unfortunate habit of man-eating.

RHINOCEROS

What is the difference between the black rhino and the white rhino?

You can spot both of these rhino species on a holiday in South Africa, and surprisingly there is no colour difference between the two. The Dutch named the White Rhino the 'Weid mond Rhino', and the English thought they were saying 'white', so it was just a misunderstanding that stuck (and has baffled tourists ever since). However, there are other ways to tell the difference between the two.

The Black Rhino is smaller than the White Rhino, with a small hooked shaped mouth for feeding on trees and shrubs. The Black Rhinos' natural head posture faces upward, so there is no need for it to lift its' head when feeding on trees. There are around 350 Black Rhinos in Kruger National Park.

The White Rhino is far larger than Black Rhino, behind the elephant it is probably the most massive remaining land animal in the world, along with the Indian Rhinoceros and some male hippopotamuses. The White Rhino has a broad flat mouth to feed off large quantities of grass. It has a hump above the shoulders and a fold of skin at the lower shoulders. There are over 2000 White Rhinos in Kruger National Park.

South Africa Safari Egghead

AFRICA

African Safari - The Wildebeest Migration

"One of the World's biggest spectacles". Many have so described it. Many have come back time and time again. They have witnessed this mass movement of wild animals roaming free through unspoiled and savage wildness. The air fills with the click click of the cameras tirelessly. You have not seen something like it before.

"Africa is changing at a quick pace and human encroachment into the wildlife reserves has prolonged to erase the customary routes. In relationship with improvement and changes of the way of life, the image of wildlife roaming free is gently getting erased. Fortunately, Masai Mara National retain holds on to its charisma of an open, limitless land. It is one of the places in Africa that yet prides in wildlife attentiveness and everybody has to see it." Victoria, Washington.

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Masai Mara is located in the Southwestern of Kenya, 180 kilometers from Nairobi. World predominant for the fullness of wildlife and the remoteness of the retain implants memories that no money can buy.

The Migration is a new phenomenon (60's and 70's was the biggest boom) with about 250,000 individuals and gently with time the estimate has risen to the current population of over 3,000,000 individuals. Add to it an appraisal 1,500,000 Zebras and the result is one of the most magnificent scenes in the world. The heavy display attracts hundreds of the big cats as the populations furnish abundant prey. The giant African crocodiles lie in wait, patiently, as the big herds come to cross or to water.

It is the masai society who are not so pleased with the whole phenomenon: competing with the wildebeest for pastures and rear their huge herds of boran cattle to the grasslands. To them it is a big calamity especially because the "wild cattle" transmit diseased to their herds and poison the waters their fetal sacs.

This world predominant phenomenon is a circle of life which in straightforward terms means that there is not a start or an end. Only where the herds are located at a single time. The big determinant is the availability of pastures. The plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Serengeti are a favored spot as grass abounds and the wildebeest find as safe place to graze. It also here that over 500,000 new calves are born and many are taken by the nearby waiting Jackals or Hyenas.

Survivors have small time to strengthen their legs as soon after the pilgrim continues in April. By then, the rains are over in southern Serengeti and the plains have dried up. The great herds then derive and face the long march northwards and westwards. The natural lawn mowers abandon the exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti to head for the already tall grass of the Western Corridor, near the shores of Lake Victoria. The pioneers of the migration movement are the majestic herds of zebras as they prefer the long stems of the common grass. This way they leave behind them shorter grass to the wildebeests.

In late June to July the mass beginning pouring into the Kenya Masai Mara retain where fresh, tender and mineral-rich grass is already waiting. Here they meet the resident Mara populations which add up to about 150,000. Also commonly referred to as the Loita plains herds, they spend most the season northeast of the Mara. When it gets dry the pour into the interior of the Mara in hunt of greener pastures.

The migrating herds spend practically 3 to 31/2 months in the Mara crossing through Sand River which is a tributary of the Mara along the boundary of Kenya and Tanzania. They trek westwards and over the Mara river and sometimes the Talek river. Ordinarily nearby this time heavy rains on the Mau Escarpment (origin of Mara River) fill the Mara river to the brim. This is a good time to watch the trunk-looking crocodiles while they await the forthcoming feast.

Finally they jump into the river and this gregarious coordinated behavior of the herds, sometimes teamed with zebras, creates an unimaginable scene. Ordinarily they roam along the river seeing for a favorable crossing point. This is Ordinarily a moment filled with tension for both the gnus and the audience. They explore for a favorable crossing point, less steep and with no positive danger. Finally one takes courage and plunges into the river and magically the rest falls onto the footsteps and in one organized line cross the river.

In addition to the crocodiles, dangers also occur whereby the current of the river can be too strong for some plainly getting stuck in the middle of the rocks in the river and breaking limbs. This is a direct marker to the jaws of the giant crocodiles.

Finally the crossing is done and the trek to their unknown destiny (or known) continues.
In the month of October they are already heading to Serengeti where the rains have treated the southern grasslands to lush, green floor covering of rich grass. Once again they are heading to the southern plains of where a new generation will be born to start the cycle of life all over again.

African Safari - The Wildebeest Migration

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Spring Break Trips - 1992 to 2009

Ten to fifteen years ago it was all about Panama City and Daytona Beach. This was a cheap spring break vacation. Gas prices had not skyrocketed yet and you didn't spend hundreds of dollars driving that Ford Bronco or Jeep Grand Cherokee to Florida and back. The hotel rooms were cheap and you didn't need a birth certificate or passport to go. Also, it was much easier to convince your parents to let you go to Florida. Letting their baby boy or girl leave the country always makes a parent uneasy and they felt like they could reach you quickly if a problem should arise.

Cancun, Mexico had its moment in the sun from 1992 to 2005. This was generally fueled by buckets of money pouring into MTV and other entertainment firms from Mexico. You couldn't turn on MTV during March without seeing college kids screaming and dancing in Cancun on spring break...drinks in hand. They sold the idea that Mexico was the number one destination for spring break and college students believed them. Every year saw bigger numbers than the previous. Hotels were booked out seven months prior and it seemed like spring break tourism couldn't get any better, but it was all about to change. The old law of supply and demand combined with mother nature would soon give college students a new spring break destination.

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2006 was the year the Bahamas took over, and it has been that way ever since. They typical college student could no longer afford to go to Cancun. The hotels had increased their nightly rates to a level that was no longer affordable. Then in late 2005 the eye of a massive hurricane moved directly over Cancun. The lobby areas of most of the hotels has four feet of standing water. The hotels and beaches had suffered many millions of dollars in damages.

The Bahamas was affordable, it was just a short distance off the coast of Florida, and it was beautiful. Bahama cruises were suddenly full and the hotels were getting sold out in November. Parents liked the fact that Grand Bahamas and Nassau had a lower crime rate than Mexico and they didn't need to send tons of money with their kids to pay for overpriced food, activities, and drinks. The Bahamas had a variety of reasonably priced restaurants to choose from.

It's hard to say where college spring break students will be in 2020, but one fact remains. The pictures and videos shown of MTV spring break will look exactly the same regardless of the background. Spring break will live on somewhere.

Spring Break Trips - 1992 to 2009

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Affordable African Safaris

African safaris are divided into numerous categories. These are the family safaris, honeymoon safaris, walking safaris and photographic safaris. Tourists even have a choice of renting a vehicle and going on a safari by themselves. Safari trips also include other forms of entertainment like a trip to the beach, mountain climbing and sports like golf.

To attract a large number of people, there is fierce competition amongst safari organizers to offer the best possible deals and prices. There are two kinds of packages provided. For some countries, the organizers just arrange for the safari while the tourist plans the rest of his trip himself. If your budget is small, it is recommended that you choose the first category. If you have more to spend, though, there are packages offered that take care of everything from the airport to any hotels, as well as the safari itself, of course. The rates for the latter category are higher, though.

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A 2-week holiday to South Africa or Botswana could cost anything from 00 to 00, whereas a trip to Tanzania and Kenya could cost around 00. There are attractive bargains offered to the tourists that include the air fare as well. A 4-5 day vacation to Kenya (inclusive of air fare) could cost as much as 00 or more. The rates mentioned above are applicable per person. Special discount packages are available in the off seasons. There are plenty of inexpensive options to choose from and can be chosen as per the tourist's requirement. In some countries, the rates may be different for different sites even if the duration of the trip remains the same. The rates would of course be higher for a trip of a longer duration. The visa charges for African countries are not very high. Some even provide visa on entry at their respective airports. African safaris are indeed a once in a lifetime affair and a must for those with a passion for adventure.

Affordable African Safaris

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South African Marine Conservation Programs for Your Gap Year

Being a gap year volunteer in a South African marine conservation program is one of the best ways to learn about diving. In addition, you will also get to contribute towards the preservation of the fragile marine ecosystem found off the coast of South Africa.

Our activities are constantly affecting our environment adversely. Unless steps are taken to try and reverse some of these negative impacts on the oceanic ecosystem, the ocean will never be the same. As a gap year volunteer in a marine conservation program, you will help make a long lasting, positive impact towards preserving one of the most important natural resources of mankind.

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Marine Conservation Programs

The marine ecosystem, apart from being fragile, is a very complex environment. This means your contribution as a gap year volunteer in a marine conservation program can take on many forms. Your focus can be on a variety of issues and interests. It can involve coral, fish, mangroves or any biological community that is tied to the marine environment. Gap year marine conservation programs can also involve the monitoring of sustainable fishing.

South Africa Marine Conservation Programs

South Africa, famous for its safari parks and "Big 5" game, is also well known for its marine life. The warm temperate waters off the coastline of South Africa tend to attract many interesting species like the great white sharks, the Cape fur seals, and pelagic fish that dwell in the waters off the coastline. Other interesting marine life that can be found here in South Africa includes the humpback whale, the southern right whale, the bottlenose dolphin and the humpback dolphin - to name just a few.

Because of the rich marine biodiversity that can be found here, researchers from all over the world flock to South Africa to study and gain insight as to how these various marine species survive and interact with each other. As a gap year volunteer, you will be assisting researchers in their fieldwork. By participating as a volunteer for marine conservation programs in South Africa, you will gain valuable first hand knowledge of the most exciting research projects being conducted there. Gap year volunteers will have the opportunity to gain education about the conservation of the marine ecosystem at the highest level. You will learn how to conduct a proper research by capturing useful data that can be utilised to help better understand the marine ecosystem.

Being a gap year volunteer for a marine conservation program in South Africa is not just about learning about the marine life. It is also about meeting people who share the same interests as you, and seeing new places at the same time. However, most important of all, you will be contributing something towards preserving one of the most important treasures of our world.

South African Marine Conservation Programs for Your Gap Year

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The First Time Airplane Buyer

For most people buying their first airplane can be ranked in conjunction with buying your dream home, getting married or name any other significant event in your life. Buying your first airplane means the completion of a dream. One of the greatest highlights of my career is seeing a first time buyer act like a 6 year old on Christmas morning when I hand him or her keys to their new airplane.

The thought of purchasing an airplane can seem daunting. After all, only 1 in 100 people in the U.S. have a pilots license, much less own an airplane. For those looking for an adventure to a far off land, a 100 dollar hamburger or a business tool to be more productive, rest assured that purchasing an airplane isn't rocket science, it's "plane science" which is a whole lot easier so lets begin.

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This article will present a step by step process to make your dream come true. Step number 1; make sure your spouse or significant other is on board. I firmly believe that this is the biggest dream killer. If you pass step one (lucky you), then step two is to take inventory of what you are looking to accomplish. What is your mission? Is it to take your wife and kids on a 100 mile trip to the coast on a sunny day or do you often find yourself needing to be in a business meeting three states away and the weather is usually marginal? Here is the key, purchase the airplane that meets your mission at least 80% of the time. Don't by a six place airplane if 90% of the time it is just you and your wife flying. The extra gas, aircraft cost, insurance, and maintenance of purchasing the extra seats you won't be using will more than pay for the rentals of the times when you do need the extra seat. The same can be said for buying an airplane to fly you from New York to Florida twice a year. If you are a low time or student pilot, call an aircraft insurance agent to help determine what airplanes you can safely fly. If you are just learning to fly, don't expect to be flying a King Air any time soon.

Along with determining your mission, determine how much a year you are willing to set aside for an airplane. The purchase price is just one piece of the pie. You will have to do research and find out how much a hangar or tie-down costs at your local airport as well as fuel and shop rates for oil changes and annuals. If you plan on buying a used airplane, set aside money for unscheduled repair bills, and a pre-buy inspection. A good rule of thumb that I have heard from mechanics is budget the price of the annual to cover the unscheduled repair bills. Also, the monthly cost to keep all available subscriptions on a glass cockpit is often overlooked and can run over 100 dollars month. Don't forget that if you keep your airplane for a long time, you will have to eventually pay for an engine overhaul.

Now that you have determined your mission and know how many premium Starbucks coffees you must forgo to afford your next love (I mean airplane), it is time to begin the search process. A great place to gather information is by attending large aircraft expos such as Oshkosh or Sun N Fun. It never hurts to ask around the local FBO or spend some quality time on the internet searching airplanes. Asking an aircraft broker or sales representative would result in several airplanes to meet your mission and price.
With several different airplanes in mind, the next step is to determine the most important features you want in an airplane? The honest truth is that there is no ideal airplane for everyone that has everything. Each airplane has its strengths and weakness. I recommend rank ordering what strengths you think your ideal airplane should have. A few ideas include: safety record, speed, avionics, payload, cabin comfort, visibility, range, efficiency, cost of maintenance, etc. I would like to expound on these a bit. First, safety record. Airplanes are safe, just some have a better safety record than others. The best way to research a specific airplane is to visit the NTSB website at http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp and do a search on the airplanes you are interested in. Comparing the avionics panel is like comparing a house with a pool to a house without one, it makes a big difference. Airplanes with glass panels are in demand and offer a higher resale value than non-glass equipped airplanes; they also command a higher price. Airplanes with a Garmin 430 or 530 GPS are more desirable than Loran equipped airplanes or no GPS at all. I hate to admit this but it is true, almost any GPS other than a 430 or 530 is almost undesirable in today's market. If you are a recreational flyer going to the beach, a Garmin G1000 might be overkill, whereas flying with a Garmin G1000 cross county on an IFR plan might be quite useful. The cost of maintenance could be found by contacting a sales representative or asking another owner of the airplane that interests you. Speed, payload and range can be found on the manufacturers' website or a write up in an aviation magazine. For cabin comfort and visibility, you will most likely have to wait until the demo flight.

By now, you should be down to just two or three models that fit your mission, piloting skill level, price, and features. Before you start dialing for demo flights, you may want to make sure your bank is ok with you buying an airplane. Companies such as Dorr Aviation, Airfleet Capital or AOPA can help you secure financing. Even during this economic downturn, there is plenty of money that banks are willing to lend to someone who qualifies. Plan on putting 15-20% down. Banks are usually willing to lend upwards of 20 years and aircraft financing rates are very favorable at the time of this writing. Once you are preapproved, you won't have any more doubt and you will be in a much stronger position to make an offer on your next airplane. On a side note, if you don't qualify for the airplane you are considering, getting into a partnership may be an alternative; (however, I will save partnerships for another topic on another day.)

One additional question that I often hear is should I buy new or pre-owned? Books can be written about new verses used so for the purpose of this article and as a general rule of thumb, if you can go new as a first time buyer, then do it. It will save you headaches when it comes to repairs and having an airplane warranty is nice to have. Buying new can also help with your taxes. The downside of buying new is being prepared to take a depreciation hit when it comes time to sell or trade in.

Finally, if you are looking for a new airplane, give your local sales representative a call and schedule a demo flight. If you go used, you may have to do some dialing and schedule several different visits to find your next Christmas present.

The First Time Airplane Buyer

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Overview of Travel Health Insurance Options

Travel health insurance policies offer such a broad range of coverage options, it would be impossible to outline every possible benefit in one short article. But there are some broad choices that travelers should consider before even thinking about the smaller details of coverage. Here is an overview of some of those options:

Short- or long-term coverage: Travel health insurance can offer protection for a short, 5-day trip, or it can offer you coverage for trips taken over several years. If you are planning on taking an extremely long vacation or you think you may take several short vacations over the course of a year or more, then a long-term option might be a good choice for you, On the other hand, if you plan on just taking one short trip of a lifetime, the short-term options can fit your needs perfectly. Premiums will also vary depending on which option you choose, so be sure to consider that as well.

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Number of trips annually: Rather than covering an indefinite number of trips over a pre-determined time period, some travel health insurance policies can provide coverage for a fixed number of trips over a certain term. If you plan a number of mission trips over one time period or have a business need to travel and can coordinate all your meetings into a predetermined number of trips, this might be a great option to check out.

Global or location specific: You can buy a policy that offers global coverage for travel or one which is location or region specific. You can even buy warzone insurance that protects you in the event you travel to a location with some political unrest or that is currently defined as a warzone.

Accidental death and dismemberment: Travel health insurance policies cover medical treatments for accidents and injuries, of course, but they can also provide financial benefits when you suffer an accidental death or dismemberment while traveling.

Specialized emergency services: The nature of any health insurance policy is to provide emergency medical services, but travel health insurance can also be structured to provide benefits for other emergency situations like medical evacuation, emergency reunion, and return of mortal remains. You can also include trip interruption, political evacuation and lost luggage benefits.

In addition to the very flexible time frames and benefits listed above, travel health policies can be designed with limits and deductibles that ensure you can afford the premiums and still get the substantial financial protections that an insurance policy should give.

Overview of Travel Health Insurance Options

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Discover the History of the Jewish Community in Essaouira on a Day Trip From Marrakesh

Originally called Amegdoul, meaning "the well-built" or "fortified place" in Berber, and then Mogador by the Portuguese and Spaniards, this beautiful fishing town on the Atlantic Coast was finally renamed Essaouira in the 18th century. The city is full of charm and has a fascinating history and architecture that are worth discovering during a day trip from Marrakesh, located just over 100 miles east of Essaouira.

The "merchants of the king", from the ten most prestigious Jewish families in Morocco, knew about the city across Europe. These families enjoyed the prestige that they obtained from the missions for the Sultan, who was entrusted with Western powers. They actually held much of the trade and economy of the port, the latter providing 40% of all trade on the Atlantic coast between Timbuktu and Europe. The traded goods mostly consisted of ostrich feathers, gold dust, salt, ivory, slaves, etc.

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Under the reign of Sultan Moulay Yazid, the Jewish community was relatively spared from persecution and settled in a new Jewish quarter from 1807. Unlike the former Mellah or Jewish quarter, the new one was located inside the medina in order to protect the Jews from possible abuses and helps maintain a high level of culture and education.

In the 19th century, the city started its decline, but it remained a major economical and military centre. Following the French invasion after 1844 and sacked the city by surrounding tribes, the Jews had to leave Essaouira to settle in Marrakech. However, they eventually returned later during difficult economic conditions.

When the Spanish attacked in 1860, the Jews took refuge again in the province of Haza and their plight drew the attention of Sir Moses Montefiore, who obtained the grant of new land to build a second Mellah. At that time, a strong community organisation could meet the needs of a population from 4,000 to up to 14,000 people. While the Jewish quarter was represented by a Sheikh in the political and civil affairs, its religious status was supported by a court of three rabbis.

The expenses of the community came from taxes on kosher meat, on imported products, and from various donations from international sources. Many religious schools, a yeshiva, and several English-French Jewish schools were founded in Essaouira in the 1800s. In the early 20th century, the Jewish population in Essaouira was still higher than the Muslim population, and urban life was regulated by the Jewish calendar. While in 1901 the Jewish community counted 19,000 people, the number went down to 5,000 at the beginning of the French Protectorate and continued to decline during the 1950s and 1960s.

Among the figures that shaped the history of the Jewish Community of Essaouira we could mention Rabbi Abraham Coriat, Abrahm Ibn Attar Messod Knafo, Rabbi Haim Pinto and the Corcos family.Today, there are few Jewish families living in Essaouira, and the Community Council has undertaken to restore the Attias and Pinto synagogues. Led by Andre Azoulay, adviser to the king, the city is experiencing a renaissance and is one of Morocco's main destinations for cultural tourism.

The best way to visit Essaouira is from one of Morocco's major cities, well-connected by land and air. Essaouira is a favourite destination on a day trip from Marrakesh, since it can be visited in one day and it is just a couple hours' drive from the Ochre City.

Discover the History of the Jewish Community in Essaouira on a Day Trip From Marrakesh

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