Lions in camp! “Joy always comes in the morning.”

It’s mornings like these that when mums say to me “how on earth do you do it, in the bush, in a tent, with two babies, no running water and no electricity” that I say “I love it but some mornings I wake up feeling like Iv come out of a war zone”.

Night before last a leopard killed a water buck in camp. Tommy wanted to have a look the next day so Adam, the scout escorted us with his rifle prowling around as if something was watching us- I’m pretty sure there was nothing but he looked pretty hardcore none the less. Yesterday evening there was a lot of alarm calling coming from the water buck and baboon around our tent so I knew there was a predator around, I assumed it was the leopard. I was bathing Tommy and David in their bucket bath in the outdoor bathroom.

Tommy was shining his spotlight over the reed wall watching the commotion and looking for a leopard. Kyle happened to be at chula camp private guiding a group of guests for the night.

While I was putting the kids to bed, David was crying a lot, I was trying to keep him quiet because of whatever was around. After they had gone to sleep I zipped up the tent and went to meet Donna, the camp manager, in the dining tent (aka tiny see through mesh gazibo 2x3m at most) we had dinner and chatted away, all of a sudden we heard a rustle in the grass. I stepped out the tent and shone on a pride of 5 MASSIVE lions. They look massive when you come face to face with them at night. They were about 2m away. Now standing in between us and my sleeping kids. I slipped back into what felt like a useless gazibo and huddled into the corner of it as it was the only spot that didn’t have mesh. If I can’t see them they can’t see me.

They dashed off to the water buck kill, we could hear them fighting over what was left of it. Now that they were a little further away I thought I would dash to my tent but returned after a few steps. We radio’d for a guide to fetch us, he arrived with a vehicle full of staff super amped to get in on the action. Mumba, the boys mannie, volunteered to go guard the kids at the room while we went to have a look at the lions devouring the kill. (Guard them with a spot light)

When I got back in for the night I parked my vehicle against the bathroom door Incase we needed to escape during the night, put my solar spot lights around the tent because I have heard lions don’t like light – I’m sure this made me feel better, probably to no effect. I hopped into a bed with both the boys and that was a wrap on the exciting part of the night.

One child ended up crying during the night, I was shoving the dummy in to keep him quiet. “Where is my cell phone so I can see the time and use the torch, I can’t find it AGAIN, why can’t I just remember to keep it in one place!” “Mooooom, bottle and dummy!! Want bottle and dummy!!” “Now where did I put that torch and where is the jolly bottle and dummy!” While I feel around the bed, never to find them ever! Just wanting another second of sleep and swearing this will be the last day of bottles and dummies tomorrow he will be weaned!

The four male lions now start roaring cohesively from 3:30am waking the entire camp up and suddenly it’s morning (at 5am) and no one is going back to sleep, and we’re up! Wooohoo! After what feels like no sleep at all. Seriously this gets me up in a bad mood like you have no idea, ontop of that Tommy hasn’t had his bottle yet because it hasn’t yet been found so he is in a terrible, winy mood. Now I know this doesn’t just happen in a tent I’m sure most of you can relate!

Suddenly… this morning reminded me of how incredible our Lord is and how he can give you that joy he promises when you’re in the worst of mom moods. We got up, got dressed, had a few disciplinary actions along the way with and a few screeches from David after being left alone for ages while we sort ourselves out.

I stepped on something that stung like I cannot explain to you!! Have no idea what it was, couldn’t find a trace anywhere, I thought maybe a small wasp that had come out of one of those many wasp nests that have been built in our tent ceiling – thought maybe it stung and flew but it was so seriously painful. A friend thinks maybe it was a violet ant! Who knows, it’ll always be a mystery. All I’m saying is that I was not a happy camper this morning!!

Finally we were all ready, now with Tommy in the carrier on the front of me (which he is far too big for, his head hits my face on every stride but he insists and it’s a quicker trip to the main area so it benefits everyone all round) and with David happily in the pram (bless him, he’s always so happy And smiley, so oblivious to life’s challenges) we were off to the main area for some much needed coffee.

WOW, as I stepped out of that hot mess of a tent we were greeted by the most beautiful water buck and his glorious horns, an impala bull hopped over the path infront of us and dashed off, the most impressive forest of trees and bird life like none other joining me in singing their symphony of praises to our Lord for all this that he has blessed us with, it changed my mood around immediately and filled me with the most incredible joy.

The night and all it’s struggling totally forgotten. We got to the fire greeted by the friendly waiters also forgetting life’s troubles for a while, the fish eagles sitting in front of us on the river; the hippos bleating their good mornings to us, Tommy sprinting around the fire pit (at a safe distance – don’t worry Nana) with the smile of glee written all over his face.

Psalm 30:5 instantly jumped into my mind “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”. I hope you can all find those beauties in your life that God has blessed you with today, to turn the darkness from whatever night you’re in, to joy in whatever morning you are heading towards!