Steve Davis in Africa

Little did I know 48 years or so ago that all those Tarzan movies and comic books I ravenously consumed as a child would someday lead to an actual trip to Africa! I'm somewhat disappointed that my Tarzan yell and mastery of ape language has proven as useless to me now as it promised as a 7 year old (but good news for Vicki....I've not been seduced by any animal-skin clad "Janes" either!).

Instead of jungles and encounters with deadly beasts every 15 minutes, we've been witnesses to the most devastating predator of all - hopelessness. Rows and rows of makeshift shacks in a concrete and cardboard jungle. Drug addicted children and adults. Emaciated AIDS victims sitting on hospital beds with no one in their families who care enough to visit them.

Yet, despite the oppressive tragedy, there are glimmers of hope in the eyes and spirits of children and caring adults. As expected, we are blessed more each and every day than the seemingly meager blessings we bring with us. It is no wonder that Jesus uses children as the model citizens of his kingdom. Who else could trust and engage so completely in strangers as they?

The children of the Red Hill community are amazing. Within the last few weeks they have been terrorized by a horrendous fire that destroyed many of their homes. One reported seeing a slithering line of snakes out ahead of the blaze. How does one sleep at night with those kinds of real life nightmares?

So we come and offer them our attention and our interest in who they are and not much more....only ingredients that make today perhaps somewhat more palatable than yesterday. Were it not for a God who could take a mustard seed and grow a palatial tree house, it would not seem worth it. But we trust in Him and in His ability to make much out of nothing. He's so good at that!

Beyond the mission itself, we're having more fun together than anyone deserves. We have laughed ourselves silly! Every new and remotely funny experience lends itself to a haiku, a limerick, or, as was the case today, a new book concept: Chef Steve Mok's Top 100 Preparations for Penguin....and here they are:

stuffed penguin
penguin sausage
shake & bake penguin
steamed penguin
frozen penguin sticks
penguin cheese omelet
penguin souflet
penguin trail mix
penguin jerky
penguin kabob
lemon pepper penguin
penguin goulashe
penguin crepes
penguin lasagna
penguin pops
penguin turnovers
popcorn penguin
penguin noodle soup
penguin & chips
penguin nuggets
penguin au gratin
rotisserie penguin
penguin parmesan
penguin pita
penguin tacos
penducken (a combination of penguin, duck and chicken...Chef Mok's penguin of the day)
penguin pesto
penguin casserole
penguin soup
penguin pasta
smoked penguin
penguin sushi
penguin protein smoothy
General Tso's penguin
penguin salad
penguin chow mein
sweet & sour penguin
peanut butter & penguin sandwich
penguin melt
fillet of penguin
penguin almondine
moo goo gai penguine
penguin on the half shell
penguin steaks
penguin stir fry
roast penguin
penguin enchiladas
stir fry penguin
penguin burger with cheese
penguin bits
smoked penguin
penguin pizza
penguin prima vera
penguin dip
penguin pie
penguin preserves
penguin alamode
pickled penguin