NDERE NATIONAL PARK

December 3, 2013

Driving west of Kisumu we had seen the sign to Ndere Park

and had wanted to visit. We knew we could not go to the island

but wondered what else was there.  

So off we went one fine afternoon.

Twelve kilometers off the main road.

The route was beautiful.

HUGE boulders marked the way.

It looks like this one was sitting on the bush but on the other 

side it was on the ground.

Rocks and more rocks.....

Homes amidst the rocks.

Mud homes with thatched roofs

Rutted roads and beautiful bushes and trees.

Finally we see the water.

Lake Victoria and

Along the beach many were working at different jobs.

Then we ti=urned into the Park.

Located across the street from the beach in a gated compound

We went into the building and learned about the island.

Visitors went to the island by way of a boat.

There are monkeys, baboon, antelope, and crocodiles on the island.

You can have an armed guard while you walk around the island.

More of the area as we left.

Notice the thatched roof homes hidden among the scenery.

Some of the roads were rather rough.

Here is a local church nestled between two HUGE boulders.

Coming into Kisumu we get a lovely view of Winam Gulf and the
city just beyond.

SEMINARY/INSTITUTE SOCIAL IN BUSIA

November 30, 2013

We went to Busia for the Seminary and Institute 

Year Completion social.

Elder Nyambita had volunteered to cook the meal

Ugandan style. Here he is helping Michaline with the cabbage.

It is a hard job to very thinly slice the cabbage for the cooked salad.

Some of the young men cooking the meat in a large
pan on the jiko.

Sister Mary helped clean the area by sweeping the leaves.

Cooking the meat.

It takes a long time so cooking time is a good time to socialize.

Notice Elder Nyambita and Elder Elliott

Elder Nyambita continuing with the stew.

Meat, potatoes, peppers and seasoning.

Washing the rice and putting in it the pan to cook.

Later inside the activities of the day began.
First off was a quiz to see what they knew of the New Testament
they had studied during the year.

Everyone was diligent in trying to remember what they should know.

Robinson was in charge and was good is doing 

a great job in keeping things going.

Elder Moon expressing congratulations and offering

information on the following year.

He bore a great testimony of Seminary and Institute.

Meet James. 

He is two weeks old and came to the church

today for the first time!

His mother was in Institute and came for the social.

He is a brother to Peter who has been on here many times.

Of course, Sister Moon had to have a turn to hold him!!
He was blessed in Church the next day by his father who had
studied very diligently to learn the prayer in English!!

What a great day with the Busia youth!!

MBITA AND RUSINGA ISLAND

November 27, 2013

We went to Mbita and Rusinga Island again 

and had an enjoyable journey.

We travel to Homa Bay then further south to Mbita.

In Homa Bay we took a few minutes and drove the extra 

short distance to the dock and saw this boat in the dock.

Nearby were these people with their unloaded goods.

Next to the road was this MARABOU STORK

Just south of Home Bay at the turnoff to Mbita we travel for

nine kilometers on marran (dirt) roads and the previous night it

had rained very heavily. The road was muddy,

Brother Amos had called us and told us that the roads were very 

bad but by the time we traveled over them it may be dry enough

to pass OK. There had been buses and other vehicles get

stuck that morning and he wanted to warn us. We had already 

traveled too far to turn back and go by way of the ferry.

At the beginning it wasn't too bad.

In one area we met even foot traffic.

Then it worsened....

...and worsened!

A lot of mud....

...but we were traveling safely and did not get stuck!

I think these are the first sunflowers we have seen in Kenya.
 
 While we were waiting for Amos to meet us we saw this boy.

We stopped first to visit Kevin and Rose on the mainland.

Here we are in their home.

Elder Moon, Kevin and Rose and Amos.

There are also Kevin and Rose's three children and the

two children of a relatives who had died.

Kevin and Rose and the children,

Rose's brother lives in Kisumu and is a Member of the Church, also.

 We also stopped in the shop of 

and had a very short visit and left some Books with 

Here is Rose, Kevin, Daniel, and Amos in front of his shop.

Amos, Kevin and Rose and all the children were in the back

seat of the truck! We went across the land bridge to Rusinga Island.

There has been problems with the flow of water and the fish

life and     since the land bridge was made so they are now building

a bridge across the lake to the island.

The bridge is being built on the other side of the metal wall.

At the home of Amos and Maxmillah we had
some more refreshment -cocoa and bread.
We had a great meeting explaining the new set up in the mission
and the message of the Savior as the foundation of our
families. We also read through the greatest story of
the Birth of the Savior.
Many testimonies were born and strengthened.
We really did not want to leave but the ferry was leaving soon
and we needed to be on it!

 

 Elder Moon with Maxmillah, Amos and their children and
Amos' father.

The group all together.
Our meetings have brought these families together.
The adults knew each other but did not meet together.
The children had never met and now they will meet on a
regular basis and have friends with the same beliefs to
strengthen their testimonies and spirituality.

Driving down to the ferry.

Coming into the docking area in
so we could continue our way home through Awach and Kisian..


These are the people coming off the ferry.
Notice the load this woman is carrying!!

We had a fantastic day!!
As a senior couplg put in your paper and serve a
mission so you won't miss out on these wonderful experiences!!