Hippo Hippo Hooray!

 Here we are as we embark on our first Preparation Day in 2 months.  We took a boat from Hotel Tanganika to the Rusizi River to see if we could spot a Hippo or two.  We have been told there are lots here in Burundi, but we hadn't see a one. 

 There are lots of exotic birds, Geese, Spoon billed cranes, Cormorants and Flamingos.

 There they are!  Watching us.

We said, "Get closer." and the guides said, 

"Oh NO, NO!"  

We have heard that they are ferocious.  

This family were along the river.  Looking close, there is a lot going on in this photo.

Great Balance! These Flamingos paid us no mind!

                                                                           

 We interrupted a morning nap and they got up
to pose for photos.  They are humongous!
 It surprised us how big they are.

Do you think Adam came up with that name?  Hippopotamus?  Can your kids spell it?  Do you know they can run and swim fast.  They don't look sleek at all.  How would they do in a Triathlon?

 Okay, I guess the bike is out, but we have seen some crazy things on a bike!

 Don't you love this shot?  I think it should be a painting.  Fishermen on Lake Tanganika.

Jeremiah 16:16 " Behold I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks."  

As we left the beach we watched these men redoing a thatched roof. 

Potpourri

 This was a crazy day. First we drove in this hole you see below and it took about 8 people to help us get out.  (The other 20 were just laughing.)  Then we locked both keys inside the truck and it took Claude and his handy tool made from rebar to get the door open for us.  We had fortunately left one window open about 2 inches!  Who needs AAA when you have Claude!

 Here's our local Walmart owned by a Chinese Entrepreneur.  And this is Home Depot below.  Generators are in demand.  We bought a fan and a stool and priced a few other things. This store is owned by a man from India. 

 The Tailor shop is all up and down Mission Street. They sit in front of the stores with their treddle machines. You just pick out the picture of the dress you want, you are measured and Voila!  A new dress.  These tailors are well trained!  They create their own patterns. 

David is checking to see if this location is open so he can rent it for His new business.  

 I love to see these guys with folded fabric, sheets, blankets, etc. on Their Heads.      
       They are selling them in the streets.

 Look close at the name over this Bed Store. Elder Neeley is buying a mattress for the Elders.

See how interested my students are in English?

We went to the Beach and met first this Chimpanzee, then a group of Burundian Drummers.

 For a price, they will let you join in.

These little yellow taxis are everywhere.  Some loaded more than others. 

 These vans are also everyday transport.  They are usually stuffed!  At least 18 people fit in one of these.  The man hanging out of the side window is a common sight.  He is calling out how many empty seats they have for people waiting on the side of the road. 

Patience and Faith

One day on the way to a latrine site, the gentleman with us who was giving us directions said, "Go there, continue..."  We looked and the narrow street was filled with a large blue flat nosed cargo van backing down the street slowly.  We couldn't see any way to get past it. It filled the street and there were random shops on one side and a deep ditch with a steep side on the other.   But our director was filled with faith. "Yes, continue" he said, "You can do it."  We followed and finally the truck backed into a space and we were able to edge around it.  Often the roads look like this, but you just "continue....."  It made me think that life is sometimes that way.  We can see no way to get through the things in our path, and without faith we may stop.  The spirit whispers, "Continue, you can do it."  So we go ahead and then our faith grows when we see that there really is a way - the Lord's way.  

This is not a picture of that day, but it reminds me of it.

Notice there are two women on the back of one bicycle, and one on the other one.

 These women riding side saddle on the back of bicycles take my breath away.  They ride through traffic, weaving in and around pot holes, motorcycles, cars, trucks and other bicycles as if there is no danger.  Some don't even hold on.  With a basket or a goat on her lap and a baby tied to her back, they are as nonchalant as can be.   This is faith!

 Okay we didn't try to go down these streets, They are markets.

 These big horns would scare me, but they drive these cows down one of the main streets, and no one is concerned in the least.  They appear very docile.

 Here's a good one -- continue...........

 This is the padded seat they ride on.  Funny they seem to be mostly red and the ladies always ride facing the left.

In Revelations we read that Patience and Faith and keeping the commandments of God are the tools of victory.  Here's hoping we can learn more of Patience and Faith from these amazing Burundians.

To please the eye and gladden the heart!

I love these hanging vines!

 Take a close look at these thorns! How would you like to hack through the jungle with these  babies!  Wooooo!  So tough!

 Bamboo trees in the park where we walk.

 These Papaya trees are super productive!  And the fruit is YUMMY!

 This deserves another close look. It almost looks fake.

 There are lots of these tall skinny trees everywhere.

The Banyan trees always amaze me. 

S

Fan palms live up to their name.

D.& C. 59:

 17 Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;

 18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

 19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, tostrengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

 20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.