BUSIA VISIT

December 8, 2012

We were up early to go to Busia for 

Seminary and Institute Commencement (graduation).

We made it in two and a half hours because there

was not much traffic on the roads.

Near Rangala there is a detour or diversion.

On the south-west end of the diversion there is a sign

but also a pile of dirt on the road.

On the other end this is the notice that

there is a diversion.

The diversion is just a road through the town but

it a dirt, rocky, rutted road. It really slows the travel!!

This is traveling in  Busia. Each time we are there

I am so amazed at the traffic. 

Busia is right on the Kenya - Uganda border.

We had to go into town to buy some bananas for the 

refreshment for the meeting.

Many people ride on the back of motorbikes

piki piki or

bicycles boda boda for transportation. 

This woman rides comfortably om the back

of a bicycle.

There are two buildings to meet in here and 

Elder Moon is early for the meeting and waits in the

classroom.

The entrance is at the left of the picture where the 

light comes in. In front of Elder Moon there are

windows along the wall letting in plenty of light.

This is the Primary room in the same building.

After the meeting in the building with the chapel we met

here for refreshments,

A Church video was put on the tv to entertain 

the members while we waited to be served. 

The women and young women served everyone.

A very popular refreshment for any meeting 

where they might be served.

A jam sandwich and a butter sandwich and juice -

concentrated flavoring and water.

We added the bananas for a special treat.

All over the world you find the sisters in the kitchen!!

However here they even eat there and do not

join the rest of the group.

MISSION CALL

Just before the refreshments were there was a 

mission call to open!!

Meshack opening the white envelope -

that had come from Salt Lake City to

the area offices in Johannesburg, South Africa to

the mission president in Nairobi, Kenya to

the branch president in Busia, Kenya to

Meshack

Meshack will serve in

VISITS

We were staying in Busia to go to 

church the next day so President Imende 

asked us to make some visits

with the Elders serving there.

We visited a new member and helped

give a new-member lesson.

Then we traveled out of town towards Eldoret

and met with Allen 

and his family.

Allen has his papers ready to submit

for a mission.

With Allen's family outside their home.

This is a very nice home for this area.

Looking into their neighbor's yard past the Papaya trees.

While we visited with Allen and his father his mother

prepared dinner for us.

Fish in a tomato based sauce.

The green near the top is sukuma that I had 

also put in the bowl with the fish.

This is sukuma wiki or kale

that has been chopped very fine and fried in a little oil 

with some tomatoes.

We also had boiled maize which is much like out

field corn at home.

Like we had at the prison farm.

We also had ugali which was gone before I took a picture.

Below are papaya. These were very large to me

but there were larger ones still on their tree and 

we have seen larger one sold at markets.

We were given these.

Where the dishes were washed at the side of the house.

There was another building to the right where the cooking 

was done over an open fire.

We also visited Meshack's family and it was getting

dark so this was the only picture I took,

They are blessed to have a well in their compound 

but they still had to carry it. I don't know if these were 

his family or if others in the community came to buy the water.

The girl standing up is pumping the water.

This was taken out the windshield so it isn't very good.

While we were visiting and traveling it was raining.

This was the road we traveled to Allen's.

The road with the pond in the middle!!

Really just a big hole filled with the rain water.

The road!!

OUR HOTEL

We spent the night at a fairly nice hotel

at the edge of town. 

The hotel had these nice cabanas for people to rest

and visit and eat in them.

Inside view of one of them. Some had a large table

with chairs around them.

A small building in the yard.

The walkway to the rooms.

This is our room.
Very small but it did have a nice fan on the wall -
that worked when the power was on -
and a tv and you can see the edge of the desk.

 The bathroom with walk - in shower -
the whole room really.

In the morning (Sunday morning) there was 

laundry on the line outside our room before we left.

Sometimes we have seen the lines filled

with sheets and towels before we leave to go to

church at 9:30. The laundry is done by hand and is

usually dripping wet!!