PRE-WEDDING IN LUANDA

December 6, 2013

We were able to attend the pre-wedding ceremony and 

celebration of Justine's sister in Luanda.

This is the church in which the ceremony was held.
Small flowers were laid along the seams in the cement floor making
an aisle down which to walk. It was a large hall.

The seats near the front.

Elder Moon was impressed with the rafters in the ceiling.

Some time after we arrived there was drums and singing outside

and the choir had arrived,. They walked along the road singing.

They came into the Church yard with other guests following.

They were accompanied with drums, shakers and whistles.

They continued to sing and play their instruments as people 

came into the building.

W sat on the dais and this is our view before it all began.

Notice the balloons the little pieces of cloth hanging from

twine along the aisles.

During the proceedings someone would reach up and 

pop a balloon every now and then.

The attendants begin to come in dancing to the music

provided by the choir.

If this doesn't play I will get help to adjust it when I 

get home and someone can help me.

This is the Bride's entrance. 

Later the groom;s party entered from the other aisle.

Love this little guy leading the group.
 
This is the Bride (Blue and white) receiving gifts.
Notice the garlands around her neck.
There was a part when guests danced up to the Bride
and draped garlands around her neck.
They were hot and heavy as the time wore on and
soon after this picture a friend guest came up
and sprayed something on her and her attendants.
Perfume!

 On the dais with President and Sister Okila, Elder Moon and
the Reverend.

 Children gathered outside the Church after the ceremony.

 We then went to a nearby school for lunch.
This is the court yard of the school.

One of the classrooms. This was during the time of
vacation from school so there are no posters on the walls.

 

We ate in the teachers lounge.

Sister Okila washed hands when the food was settled.

Sister Okila,, Elder Moon, President Okila's two cousins and 

President Okila.

 

When we were finished eating President Okila had

Elder Moon tell his cousins about the Restoration of 

the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were interested as we gave 

them each a Book of Mormon.

What a great afternoon!!

Put in those mission papers and enjoy times like these.

THIMLICH OHINGA

December 4, 2013

On our visit to Macalder to visit Samuel we were taken to

Thimlich Ohinga to see this phenomenal place.

(If you click on each picture you will be able to see it enlarged)

This sign tells of the wall and how it was built in the 15th Century.

It appears to be built by Bantu speaking people before the Luos.

The wall is 1 to 2.5 meters high and is made of dry laid stone.

The stones are natural and dressed stone.

This is the gate of the western side of the enclosure.

We had to stoop to enter and it was done this 

height so when unknown persons would come they ha to stoop

to enter and they would be clunked on the head as it protruded 

out the other side and then when they woke up they were

interrogated concerning their intentions!

Brother Benard, Brother Samuel and Elder Moon just inside

the compound.

These raised stones (with the steps) is  the guard stand.

The main gate is to the left of this.

The guard could watch over the wall to see the outside activities.

Inside this compound there are five small stone walled circles

most likely used for animals and their safety.

This monkey as waling along the top of one of the

walled kraals.

Another BLACK FACED VERVET MONKEY

with a close up of the stone wall.

This is a pretty and well kept area.

This compound was occupied from the
Fifteenth Century until about 1980 when it was made
a Government run State Park.
This is    who is a mother to Charles who

is a member of the Kisumu Branch and

she was born in Thimlich Ohinga and now

lives with her family a few kilometers west of 

Thimlich Ohinga.

MIGORI, BENARD AND SAMUEL

December 4, 2013

We were going to visit Samuel in Macalder near Migori
so in Migori we picked up Benard and went to Macalder.
These are some scenes on the way after Migori.

Coffee fields with the owner's home.

Macalder Gold mine area.

Rough roads through the Macalder Mine fields.

Bridge built by the British during the colonial period.

Locals making good use of the river water!

Beautiful brown river from the bridge.

Rough road.

Macalder town

Another historical bridge built by the British.

We met Samuel in Macalder and he and Bernard had planned

to take us to Thimlich Ohinga so we found ourselves there.

(see the following post).

Then we were off to Samuel;s home.

The trail to Samuel's home.

The narrow roadway,

More rough road.

Village family homes near Samuel's.
We parked a little distance from Samuel's home and his sweet
wife came at a fast walk to welcome us to her home.
It was so great to be wanted in their home.
Their son had recently passed away and we saw the grave site
and mourned with them there.

Beatrice, their daughter and Samuel in their new home.

Elder Moon, Brother Benard, Sister Beatrice and Brother Samuel.

We had a very enjoyable meeting and Sacrament Service.
It was a great afternoon!
We then took Brother Benard to his business in Migori and then to home.

A young man with water for his family.

Across the river.

A piki piki  with a package of gold on the back.

Beautiful scenery!!

Firewood on its way home.

The clouds here are magnificent!!