Missionary Couples Retreat & Kasungu 1sts

Two highlights this week were a Senior Couples Retreat

 and church in Kasungu.  The two other couples and

the Whitings joined us and headed north about 8 hours to

 Nyika National Park in Northern Malawi.  

It was very remote, including 4 hours on dirt roads for 100kms.

  But boy was it beautiful.  At 7000 ft, it was cool and vivid green.  

Some scenes on the drive there

A lone rock.  Pretty cool looking. Grandma named it "Turtle Rock"

Stayed one night at a small lodge. Breakfast outside!

Entrance to the National Park.  50 klms, 2 hours to go to the camp.
(Sister Fakalata's finger got in the way!!!) 

It was all open meadows in rolling hills.
 We had no idea that places like this exist in Africa!  

Saw lots of bush bucks, roan bucks, elands (all from antelope family)

Many Zebras

Soon to be Momma Zebra

These guys roamed around our camp by the lake.

Bottom of pine trees where animals had eaten off the bark at the bottom.

Zebras and Elands hanging out together in the meadows.

Another Soon to Be Momma

These rolling meadow lands reminded us of pictures we've seen of Scotland

Flat trees seen on our drive

The road was rough along the way but beautiful

Who said missions were all work and no play?
 Trying my hand at dry fly fishing.
 Sure wish I  had my own rod and reel and Grandpa Pulsipher's flies. 

We went up to a high lookout point and about froze.
  But we sure could see forever.  We have a full 360 degree
 video from the top but can't get it off our phone.  

Us, Rowans, Whitings (including their son Ryan), Fakalatas

Trees imported from Europe in the 1950's.

Our little bungalow we shared with the Fakalatas.

Elder and Sister Fakalata putting on a show for us.
 They actually had a show in Vegas with their families way back when.
  Had a nice roaring fire all day and night. 

These three cooked all our meals and cleaned our cottages. 
We had to take the food up but they did all the work. 
No electricity, everything was cooked and warmed with wood.

Men biking in loads of wood from the forest.
We actually saw some riding their bikes with wood stacked that high. 

The next highlight was the visit of President and Sister Whiting,

 Elder and Sister Lords from South Africa, and all the 

other senior couples to our Kasungu pre-branch.  

We had 144 people in attendance!   That is more than most 

of the wards and branches in Malawi and Zambia

 and to think that 135 of them are not yet members of the church!

Our first "Priesthood" meeting with only 5 priesthood holders
 and 45 waiting for baptism.  We were able to hold separate Priesthood
 and Relief Society meetings today because we had our visitors teach.  

Grandma had 54 children in primary today.

The kids love to color.
Today's was Lehi's family studying the scriptures.

Kasungu 1st Relief Society Meeting.
 The men got out first so they were coming in for the picture.  

Elder Lords and President Whiting discussing this amazing congregation here.
  Elder Lords, who works for the missionary department, is going to contact
 the missionary department asap and tell them the highest priority is to get
 a missionary couple here to replace us when we go home at the end of April.
  Any of you perspective senior missionary couples willing?