Week 69

ANIMALS and MORE ANIMALS

At the fair referenced below were also animals brought up from the Kampala Zoo.  To get into the fair was 1,000 shillings, but it cost another 1,000 shillings (40 cents) to see these animals.  There was a huge ostrich, a boa constrictor, the beautiful crested crane, a lion, a leopard and a “surprise” animal.  The junior missionaries were going to attend two days later on their P (preparation) day, but asked us lots of questions.  I told them that one of the animals there they could even sit on and have their pictures taken as such.  Some were very excited, hoping it was the ostrich or a giraffe they could ride.  The animal: a horse!  Actually, it was the first horse we’ve seen in Uganda.  Not a common animal here.

This past Monday we had a zone activity.  There were several suggestions, but the decision was to go to Chobe Safari lodge for breakfast.  We are always “game” for Chobe.  We warned them, however, that when we went a few weeks earlier with our sons, we didn’t see a single giraffe, elephant, wart hog, water buffalo and if we saw kobe, it was only one or two!  It was our only disappointing trip to Chobe insofar as the wildlife.  The missionaries still opted to go.  This time none of us were disappointed.  We had a wonderful time and saw lots of wildlife up close.  One of the funniest things was watching the baboons grooming each other.  Of course you can see them doing that in the zoo, but the experiences are drastically different when you are up close watching them in their natural habitat.  One of the missionaries got a great video of them preening each other while also carrying a very young hairless newborn.

The tragedy regarding all these beautiful animals in Africa are the poachers who are radically reducing the big animals across the entire continent.  It’s a constant problem, and almost impossible to control, try as the park services and rangers do.  In many places, being a park ranger is a dangerous job, not as much from the animals as from the poachers who have murdered many of them.  At Paraa Safari Park, poachers pose as fishermen on the calm waters of the Nile, but in reality are sneaking into the park after dark and setting up snares to get whatever animal they can.  Our guide explained that one of the male lions we saw lost his leg because he was caught in a snare.  The park rangers are always on the lookout, but the savannah lands are just too vast to monitor with much effect.

  

The worst situations are those poaching for elephant or rhino tusks which bring in millions of dollars.  These poachers are part of international crime syndicates using high tech equipment, including planes and helicopters.  They fly over the savannahs, under the pretense of a “doctor” on board, who actually sedates the big animals with rifle powered pellets so the poachers can then cut off or out the tusks or horn.  There are some estimates that an elephant is killed every 15 minutes for its tusks.  The rhinos in Uganda were completely extinct until a decade or so ago when some were purchased from Kenya and the Orlando FL zoo.  There are now around 15 rhinos in Uganda (we were blessed to see up close the two babies born in Jan. and April).  The rhinos in the wild in Uganda are in one heavily guarded rhino sanctuary (an open grasslands area), but the poaching problem for other animals here and across Africa cannot be monitored like this.  The biggest market for rhino horns is Asia because they are used in Chinese traditional medicine.  The biggest market for ivory is China, with the U.S. following in second place as ivory is a symbol of great wealth.  I am reminded of the many references in the Book of Mormon about those who combine together secretly for financial gain or power by whatever means possible, including using murder. 

And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his  [and his secret sect's] object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan and their combination. (Helaman 2:8)

And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspreqad all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. (Helaman 6:38)

And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed.... (Ether 8:22)

And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the secret combinations of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets. (3 Nephi 7:6)

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up. (Ether 8:24) 

LOVING LIFE AND A NEW SUCCESS

Those who know me well know I've struggled with obesity for a long time, but I am so excited that in the past seven weeks I have lost 18 pounds!  Brooks, my boys who were here, and those who are around me will verify I don't deny myself of any foods I like, but the big difference has been exercise and consistently using some of Melaleuca's old and brand-new products.  Still a long ways to go, but this has been easy and safe. I'm super pumped to keep it up. If you want to know more email me at pnbmoore@gmail.com or contact my life-changing friend Sue Prue at 972 318-1020 or 972 977-3678. 

T

Some school children...every school has it's own uniform.  Makes good business for the local seamstresses.

 The kids here don't know much, if anything, about American baseball or football but they love basketball.  Here is a team going thru drlls.

 Off we go to the "fair".  I'll let u guess what this hole in a plastic tarp is.

 This was one of 2 rides at the park.  A merry-go round and this devise that swings you out on chain-linked metal chairs.  Really looked like something out of the early 1900's. I was willing but Pam wasn't.  On second thought, a link could break and then break one's back and then be flown to South Africa and pray for a very soft landing.  Better safe than sorry.

 Some interesting face painting.

A cake....dough fried up in oil.  Tasted pretty good.  I brought mine home and smothered it in powered sugar...was even better.

National bird...the Ugandan Crested Crane...look carefully and you can see the crest on it's head...maybe double click the pic.

So here is what the hole in the canvas is all about.  It's the fellow who takes your money so you can get into the fair.  Just barely big enough to put your hand through.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles remarked: “The ‘vain things of [the] world’ include every combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and power. As to all of these, the scriptures remind us that ‘you cannot carry them with you’ (Alma 39:14). We should be seeking the kind of treasures the scriptures promise the faithful: ‘great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures’ (D&C 89:19)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2001, 109; or Ensign, May 2001, 84).

Week 68

I stated last week no coach had beaten Saban 2 years in a row....I stand corrected about the Great Sabanator and his record against repeat customers.  Since 2008 there is oone coach who has beat him twice in a row....Les Miles...I read online this week.  I still like our odds against the "Barners"(Auburn)




June 21 Pam organized a General Women's Conference for all sisters  

Yesterday was our Women’s Broadcast Conference, ages 8 to 108.  In conjunction with it, I had 12 cooking classes throughout the week in my home.  The sisters have been asking for over a year to learn how to bake but I had refused because they didn’t have ovens to bake in.  However, about seven months ago I started working with an engineer in our branch and later with our Branch president/medical student to see about creating outdoor ovens.  They completed a metal one for our Bardege branch and have almost completed a large brick one for the Gulu branch.  With that in place it was time to start teaching them.  Interestingly, over forty signed up for a class, but only 16 came.  While those who came enjoyed the class they said, "Sister Moore, what will we do; we have no ovens".  The “unveiling” of the ovens was to be the surprise after attending the conference broadcast.  




The next problem is they have nothing to bake in and there isn't any place here that sells bread pans, cookie sheets or cake pans of ANY  kind.  I did find a large muffin pan in Gulu for 193,000 shillings (almost $75) but that is all I have seen.  When we go to Kampala later this week, I can pick up a few things there for each branch.  Of course then there is the problem of buying the ingredients to make the cakes or bread.  Most will not be able to afford even ingredients for baking bread (they eat posho - like a very stiff cornmeal mush -- instead of bread), but at least on occasion they can bake at the church with money coming out of the branch budget. 




Finally, they don't have any recipes.  Before and during the cooking classes I told them at least half a dozen times that I would prepare for them a cookbook of all the things we had baked during the week.  They didn't understand at all.  Then it dawned on me; they have no books except the scriptures in their homes so they don't know what a cookbook is. When I explained more fully, they were thrilled that they would get a little book with recipes.  




In spite of the low turnout, there was a wonderful spirit at our Women’s Conference.  One of our new converts, a widow with six children still at home was beaming from the messages of hope and comfort that penetrated her heart.  She brought two of her daughters who also enjoyed the conference.




Immediately after the broadcast, we went into the Relief Society room where we cut bars of soap to put in the hygiene kits that will be going to the Ugandan refugee camps for the South Sudanese that are living a few hours north of us.  Even the young girls were able to help with this service project.




I am pleased to finally have a count of the kits that so many have worked on.  After weeks of sorting, we have 2,905 partial or complete kits on hand and I received an email from a “stranger” that she is bringing another 100 when she arrives in Uganda on Monday!  That has been one of the amazing things about this mission – the networking between service organizations.  We cross paths with those who have hearts of service nearly daily and become friends as we work to relieve some of the suffering of these people. 




There is still lots to do before the actual hygiene kit handoff but it is slowly coming together.    We estimate there have been over 4,500 hours of volunteer service given by girls, Young Women and other adults for this one cause, not to mention the tens of thousands of dollars donated for fabric, Ziplocs, soap, panties, etc.  Just this week we received over $1,200 for 1,300 more pairs of underwear we needed.  Thank you to everyone on the states’ side who has taken interest or helped with this Days for Girls project.  We truly are seeing miracles taking place.  

Making the cookbook was a bigger challenge than I anticipated.  All my recipes use traditional measuring cups and measuring spoons.  Everything had to be converted over to what they have in their home.  Names of ingredients also had to be changed somewhat to make sure they understand.  For example no one knew what baking soda is, call it bicarbonate of soda and they know.  More detail on steps in cooking or baking that we take for granted needed to be included. The booklet only contains about 17 recipes but its a start for them and more can be added.  

A disappointing part of the conference for me was those who showed up two hours late just for refreshments and others who were hoarding the food.  I've seen it many times before, but thought I had it "under control" for this meeting.  Not so.  Some of the sisters had plates of food piled four inches high (not exaggerating).  I prayed for understanding why they would be so greedy since these poor are not starving poor.  The Lord answered my request by reminding me of the "Muzungu's" gluttonous eating habits.  Thanksgiving? other holiday parties? What's a favorite place your average American likes to go eat?  (all-you-can-eat buffet)  What do those that cruise generally talk about as a highlight of the cruise and how much weight do they gain in a week's travel?  What is the number one activity for a night out?  Americans may be more discreet about our food hoarding and appetites, but we are also fixated on food - and a lot of it. I need to apply personal discipline from what I observed in this experience.

1. 

 sisters making chicken salad



 Bardege sisters learning to grate carrots for their cake 



The Primary girls helped pack the soap in boxes after it was cut and wrapped.  This week we prepared 2,000 bars for the kits.  We have at least another 1,000 to go.  








The Womens Conference attendees working on the soap.



Priesthood brethren Lowaka Steve, Ocello John and Odong Martin prepared to help serve the sisters from the foods made in their cooking classes. 





Found a new rock quarry.  The outcropping is 15 feet or so below the soil.  To make the large rock weak, the dirt is dug away from the rock and a fire is built on top of the rock, making the rock hot e brittle.



Large slabs are lifted out.

And then pounded by hammer to various size fragments.  EVERYTHING is done by hand...even the heavy lifting.

Our African missionaries are not held to the same hair grooming standards as those from the West.  This is Elder Lambola on the right.

Actually, it's a wig.  

A Mormon Helping Hand's project where the young single adults with just about 12 hours notice joined other groups in a city-wide clean up.

President Phillip of Bardege Branch.  He is our med student many of you have helped keep in school.  We are running up against another tuition deadline.  Somehow things will come together.










To quote Hans Christian Andersen ...the emperor has no clothes.  Think we've told you before that the Acholi tribe believe that if they put diapers on little boys it will "spoil their manhood"...meaning make them sterile.  There are a lot of naked boys running around in the neighborhoods.


This dear lady stopped to ask for some sweets after she saw me hand some to a couple of little boys.  I then asked to take her picture. She then asked for money.



I can't get the sound to run on my end.  Neither can I delete this video.  Just as well.  If you can read lips and notice the actions of their right arms you'll know what they are saying..."Roll Tide"
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• •
  Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the relationship between materialism and spirituality:
  “Materialism, which gives priority to material needs and objects, is obviously the opposite of spirituality. The Savior taught that we should not lay up ‘treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal’ (Matthew 6:19). We should lay up treasures in heaven: ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21). …
  “There is nothing inherently evil about money. The Good Samaritan used the same coinage to serve his fellowman that Judas used to betray the Master. It is ‘the love of money [which] is the root of all evil’ (1 Timothy 6:10; italics added). The critical difference is the degree of spirituality we exercise in viewing, evaluating, and managing the things of this world and our experiences in it.
  “If allowed to become an object of worship or priority, money can make us selfish and prideful, ‘puffed up in the vain things of the world’ (Alma 5:37). In contrast, if used for fulfilling our legal obligations and for paying our tithes and offerings, money can demonstrate integrity and develop unselfishness. The spiritually enlightened use of property can help prepare us for the higher law of a celestial glory” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 78; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 62–63).


• 
  

Week 67

Sorry for the font background and green colors...something weird happening we can't figure out.

Football season is just around the corner and these Auburn Tiger fans are ready for a tough fight this year against Bama.  Notice the boy in the crimson shirt in the background.  He's a wanna b Bama grad and is smiling because he knows nobody has ever beaten Saban two years in a row and what makes this year's game even better, it will be played T-town.   Bama on to the national championship playoffs.

(Pam) Making Chapatti


 Daisy in her outdoor kitchen.  She rolls her chapatti on the barely visible table in the left foreground.

Daisy's selling stand just of the road.  She and her husband have three children, 2 1/2 yrs. 5 yrs, and 7 1/2 yrs.  This is her 2 yr old


Nearly every day, I see Daisy selling her chapatti on the side of the road.  Mine aren’t nearly as good as hers so I asked her if I could watch her make them and in turn, I would give her a bag of flour.  At first she was hesitant but then agreed.  She said to come to her home at 6:30 am.


When I arrived, still dark outside, she had already made about half her chapattis for the day by candlelight, so all I could get was an explanation regarding forming the dough.  She said she mingles a “packet” of “azam”, a finally chopped onion, a spoon of baking powder and a spoon of salt.  She then adds three “cups” (cup holds 20 oz. liquid) of water and mingles.  She sets it aside to rest for about 30 mins. 


While the dough rests, she prepares a hot charcoal fire and pours enough cooking oil to generously cover the bottom of her 12 inch saucepan.  Then with oiled hands and an oiled surface, she then breaks off pieces of dough, about 3 inches in diameter and with a glass (beer) bottle, rolls the dough paper thin to just under the diameter of the saucepan.  When the oil is very hot, she puts the dough in the saucepan to cook for 20-30 seconds while she quickly begins to roll out another chapatti.  With a fork and her thumb, she catches the cooking chapatti  and turns it to the other side to cook for 5-10 seconds.  When it is done, she adds it to her container and starts on the next one. 


I asked her how many she makes each day.  From the “packet” she gets between 50 and 60 chapatti.  To make them in time for the passersby, she needs to be out on the road by 7 or 7:15.  That means she starts preparing them by around 5:15am each morning. She says the people love her chapatti. (true: hers are cooked in more oil than most)  She sells them for 200 shillings each (8 cents).  Even though I had mentioned several times I would give her a bag of flour, we were not understanding each other.  She didn’t know what a bag was; I didn’t know that a packet was referring to 2 kilos of azam, or wheat flour.  She was very surprised and grateful that I gave her so much flour.


I was curious what kind of profit she was making on a batch of her chapatti, so calculated some of the costs:
2 kilos of azam/flour at a local (cheaper) market = 5,300 shillings
She uses ½ liter of oil per batch = 2,300 shillings
Small packet of baking powder divided by 8 batches = 100 shillings


Excluding the salt, onion and charcoal, her cost per batch is 7,600 shillings.  If she sells 55 chapati, she brings in 11,000 shillings.  Thus her actual profit is likely less than 3,000 shillings or $1.20 a day.  That almost sounds like actual expenditures to income has not been analyzed, that they are just exchanging money for free labor, but for Gulu, perhaps this is a decent addition to her family income since average wages here are less than 10,000 a day; since she is at home with her three children and since it also provides food for them. 


It reminds me of my early-in-our-marriage bread business, making 12-32 loaves of bread once a week, getting $2 a loaf, costing about a dollar a loaf for ingredients and delivery, but it gave me a little spending money each week while I stayed home with our children.  All I can say is Daisy epitomizes the good women here who work so hard to help support their families in whatever way they can.





We sent two fine young men off on their missions Wed Nite, Simon on the left and Collins on the right.  On the bus at 10:00 PM, arriving in Kampala at 6:00 AM.  Interviewed and set apart Thur morning and then off to shop for necessities before flying to the missionary training center in Accra, Ghana.  Both have suffered much, but they have worked hard for this day.  Both will be serving in Ghana where it is very, very hot.  So hot, they are told not to bring a suit as they will never wear their coats. We feel like we just sent two of our sons off on their missions at the same time.  Can you see the light in their eyes?!  We miss them already.   


Collins left a beautifully handwritten letter of his testimony which reads in part:
“I… give my testimony of the truthfulness and the sweetness of the gospel of Jesus Christ … for which I know for myself to be true.
“But before giving this wonderful testimony I would love to acknowledge the principle of gratitude.  …I would love to thank our Heavenly Father for the priesthood blessings that have been bestowed upon me in my confirmation as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 30 June 2012 and how they are coming to pass.
“I would like to acknowledge the contributions of … the missionaries and the brothers in the branch presidency for their contribution in my preparation … and their words of encouragement.
“…I know for myself that this is the true church, that we are not lost, that the prophet Joseph Smith was a true prophet and God’s instrument in restoring His truth on earth, that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and that all our leaders are called and ordained of God.
“I sustain all my leaders and I know that if we live what we believe and remember the covenant of our baptism and His terms, with humility, gratitude, honesty, a good sense of humor, sacrifice and looking at the kingdom of God as our priority – without profanity, gossip, covetousness and contention – we shall go back to live with our Heavenly Father and we shall be called true saints, not saints simply by our membership.


“I do love you all, till we meet again …this is my testimony and I leave it in the name of the Savior Jesus Christ Amen.”  



Carrying wooden chairs on a bike.  The bicycle is used as much here to transport goods as it is to move around in the city.

Carrying couches and one man...people just get it done over here.



Eggs


 Eggs


And more eggs...in what I call the warehouse district of Gulu.  More of a staple than I realized.





Our last nite with the boys was also Pam's deceased parents' 67th wedding anniversary so in honor of them, we played a game they taught us years ago.   Someone loaned us a deck of cards purchased in UG.  I counted them first to make certain there were 52.  I counted 58.  Everyone said I must have miscounted.  A patriarch gets no respect these days.  There were 4 jokers and 2 blanks.  There are a large variety of card games the locals play here.  I'm sure having 4 jokers and 2 blanks works quite well in some of those games. The deck was stacked against me winning anyway.  Lawrence was a "likely" winner since he has a daughter named Stella after Pam's mom.   Bsie was also "likely because his first name was in honor of Stewart.  As it was, Sister Moore handed them all a sound defeat.  The Gatchell's winning legacy lives on - even in Uganda. 
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Alma 31:31–33. Comfort in Afflictions

• •
  President Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901) spoke of the blessings that come through tribulation:
  
  “I suppose I am talking to some who have had worry and trouble and heart burnings and persecution, and have at times been caused to think that they never expected to endure quite so much. But for everything you have suffered, for everything that has occurred to you which you thought an evil at that time, you will receive fourfold, and that suffering will have had a tendency to make you better and stronger and to feel that you have been blessed. When you look back over your experiences you will then see that you have advanced far ahead and have gone up several rounds of the ladder toward exaltation and glory. …
  “Take it individually or take it collectively, we have suffered and we shall have to suffer again; and why? Because the Lord requires it at our hands for our sanctification” (The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, comp. Clyde J. Williams [1984], 117–18).
  

  
  

Week 66 Us and Two of our sons touring Uganda

 0 degrees latitude.  Behind this sign were three pans with a hole in the bottom of each.  One south of the equator, one on the equator and one north...each pan about 25 feet apart.  The pan on the south of the equator circled through the hole counter-clockwise.  The pan on the equator drained straight down the whole and the pan on the north of the equator drained into the hole clockwise.  Really was fascinating to watch how this world works in such a simple demonstration.

Wait a minute...I'm from the south and Pam is the yankee.  We were standing on the wrong side of the equator.

 On the way to our gorilla trek.  A day's drive down from Kampala, a day at the park and a day's drive back to Kampala.




 Our quarters...a tent with toilet and hot shower water.




 On the trek...following up in the rear this guard with AK-47 in the unlikely event we ran into trouble.

 White peppers.

 Our driver from Kampala.

 On the trek...this leaf...twice as big as B's head.

 We hadn't hiked 30 minutes when we found our gorilla family.  AND...after hiking 15 minutes one direction, turning down into the forest and hiking back from our original destination, I looked up and there was out tent/cabin.  This family had come down the mountain nearly right to our front door.  We were able to get very close to the gorillas.

 Nap time.

 "Who dat say who dat when I say who dat."

This one was really a ham and like showing off for us.  While watching him, we heard two others behind some trees screaming.  Our guide said they were some of the youngsters fighting over the food.  Their mommas went to break up the fighting.  The dominant male was resting in a different area, but he got up and walked over to where he could see what was going on.  By then the mothers had their children under control.  If not, the father would have stepped in, but it would have been physical punishment.  Squabbles usually end before that happens.



Safari Queen
 








Stretching those legs before running the annual gorilla marathon. 

 Monkeys see, monkey's do.

Father gorrilla checking out his fighting offspring.



 This is coffee country.  The red beans are ready for picking.  They are then dried and become dark brown.




 Herbs and leafs used for all sorts of illnesses.   Even viagra for men and women.  They also treat those who are possessed with evil spirits.



 This is the daughter of the healer.  She has been trained in the ways of healing as was the healer's father, grand-father, great-grandfather and so on.  Passed down from generation to generation.  She is wearing traditional healer garb for a woman healer.

 This fellow is standing in what looks like a canoe stomping bananas to make banana juice.  Before the bananas reach this slopping trough, the huge bunches are put in a pit and covered by banana leaves, similar to a compost pile.  The heat generated ripens the bananas.  It takes a lot of stomping to get the juice, which is drained into jerry cans (the yellow can in the foreground).  It is then boiled.  It is then drank either as banana juice or the juice can be fermented into banana wine.  Neither the juice nor the wine will keep very long so most is boiled and distilled into banana gin, with a very, very large alcohol percentage.





 Distilling the banana wine.  Boiled in this 50 gallon metal drum, the wine evaporates and is lead out of the top of the drum into some piping that sits in a small creek where it is condensed back into liquid.  We call this moonshine back home.



 We visited the Pygmys.  This is their chief.

 This is a viagra tree.  The bark works wonders.  Much of the lower part of the tree was missing bark.

 Pygmys traditional dance show for us.
, 

 Ron Barker, you just think I'm short.  Compared to the Pygmy people I'm a giant among men. They prefer to be called Batwa now.

 A boat ride at the source of the Nile in Jinja, UG.  Runs all the way north to sea level at the Mediterranean Sea.  As I recall the elevation at the source of the Nile is 3720 feet above sea level...which is why the Nile Runs north to the Mediterranean Sea 4132 miles.

 At Sipi Falls

 Very tame.




 On to Murchison Falls Park and Paraa Lodge.  Ugandan Kobe.
Saw a huge leopard right in front of our vehicle on our way to .  The boys tried to get a picture but it was too dark.  

Wart hog.


 
Jackson Hartebeest.  They are slow to make up their mind, but once they do, they are very fast runners.



Hartebeest fighting 



Attacking monkey.

Our guide said wart hogs demonstrate affection by "kissing".




 Rhino and baby.






Male water buffalo...very unfriendly.  When male loses his dominance in the herd, he is kicked out.  The loser water buffaloes travel together but will attack   Water buffalo in a mixed herd are not aggressive, are shy and will walk/run away.

Female elephants have a menstrual cycle and create "pads" out of soft grasses.  When full, they bury them.  If a native ever finds them, it is a sign to the native that he will become a rich man.  Elephants mourn for those that die.  They bury their dead and stay around the  burial site for about a week.








Church Sunday in Mbale.  This is one of the few church buildings the church actually owns in Uganda. Due to problems obtaining clear title, nearly all buildings here are rented.  Beautiful Sipi Falls and Mount Elgon are part of Mbale.  


 Water buffalo cooling it in the mud.  It also gets rid of the ticks.

 Vultures looking for breakfast.

 Ugandan Crested Crane



 Lion and lioness.

 Saw a ton of hippos out of the water in sunlight.  Was very unusual for us as they normally graze 5-15 kilometers away from the river at night and then stay under water in the day time...very sun-sensitive skin.  When a female is ready to have a baby, she moves away from the "school" of hippos she lives with.  After the birth, she hides her baby in the marshy area.  In 2-3 weeks, she can tell if her baby is a male or female.  If a female she returns with baby to her school.  If not, she stays away  because the dominant male will likely kill the baby.  When the baby is strong enough to protect itself, male youngster and mama return to their school. 

 Ole crock slinking into the River Nile.  They can live into their 80s. Crocks don't have sweat glands so keep themselves cool by keeping their mouths open.  We didn't see very many crocks this time because it is the rainy season so the animals don't need to drink from the Nile; they have water holes out in the forests and savannahs.  During that time the crock leave the Nile or rivers and will travel MANY miles to the various water holes where they will catch their prey.  





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Genesis Chapter 1:




 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.


 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.


 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.


 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.


 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.


 6 ¶And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.


 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.


 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.


 9 ¶And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
 14 ¶And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
 20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
 24 ¶And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
 26 ¶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after ourlikeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
 29 ¶And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
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