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First Biology Outing

Today our Biology class took our first outing to Cumberland Nature Reserve, where the land stretches to the horizon and the giraffes walk right beside you. Unlike California, where fires are seen as evil, dreaded, disasters which destroy and kill, in South Africa most fires are seen as good things because the flames demolish the dead, dry grass; thus allowing the fresh, green, grass to sprout up. Fires bring the new life of the grasslands, providing food for animals and shelter for insects. My professor Caryn taught our class that because the life of grass comes from the bottom, springing from the earth, the fires only take away the dead grass and do not kill the entire plant. Trees are opposite of this. Their life comes from the branches, which is seen in spring leaves and flower buds.
In between instructing, our professor asked us if we were willing to play a traditional South African game and we jumped at the opportunity, knowing nothing of what we were getting ourselves into. We were led to a pile of poop and told to pick a droplet up. With uncertain glances and awkward giggles we each picked up a small ball of poop. We were then lined up in a horizontal line and told that the point of the game was to see how far one could throw the poop with their mouth. Professor added, "It helps when you put the whole thing in your mouth and wet it really well." With slight horror and immediate shock we all looked towards Peter, the first boy at the beginning of the line. He bravely stuck the ball of poop in and sent it flying with a powerful puff. One by one we each put the poop into our mouths and chucked it, some with powerful ferocity and others with weak disgust. It was entirely hilarious and thoroughly unexpected. Who knew that twenty Azusa Pacific students would be plopping animal poop right in their mouths for a biology course?
Today was a day of exploration, a day of learning, a day of adventure, and a day of praise that I am able to explore God's creation and learn more about it. May the Lord bring you a students heart, so that you may see the world through the eyes of a learner.
All my love,
Gennavieve



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