We have been told that many senior couples are concerned about serving in Africa.  Therefore, in the spirit of "duty", this blog is more or less devoted to showing some of the more difficult and challenging aspects of mission life in Uganda.   So take a deep breath, sit back and relax and enjoy some of the sights and even some of the sounds of Africa.  As you will see, it's a pretty tough life here.  But someone has to do it. 

As you can see, accommodations are a little rustic.  But the yard is always swept clean so snakes and other unwanted critters won't be tempted to venture across the barren landscape to enter the home.  One of the good things about these homes is you don't have to worry about washing window.

As for the neighbors, they are like children you would find just about anywhere.  They are very friendly, well disciplined, and willing to extend a helping hand . . . . or maybe a hand out.













The typical African women - baby on her back, carrying something in each hand, while balancing a load on her head.

We don't want our friends in the great state of Texas to be offended, but some of the trees here grow big leaves.  I'm only sorry I failed to get a picture of Sister Thayn fighting off a couple of monkeys as she climbed out on a limb to get this one.

Our daughter Shauna and granddaughter Kelsi are watching and filming monkeys as they jump from tree to tree close to the deck near the room where we stayed at the Rainforest Lodge.

Elder Thayn disguised as one of the locals boating across the Nile, and following the sound of beating drums he will cut us way through the thicket of the jungle to where natives are waiting to be taught.

No one likes riding on a dirty bike or boda boda.

Here's what life is like along this part of the Nile.

THE WEAVERS - A HOT SPOT FOR THE LADIES 

WITH A TASTE FOR BEAUTIFUL HAND WOVEN FABRIC

Unfortunately, someone told Sister Thayn where to find this place.  It has now become a regular stop for her where she enjoys picking out the colors of yarn she likes, then ordering table cloths, runners, place mats, bed spreds, $$$$.

Our lodging accommodations at the Mburo Wildlife Park which is about a four hour drive from where we live..

Sister Thayn and Kelsi showing obvious concern over the rushing waters of the Nile that surrounds them.

While our son-in-law Merrill sits in the safety of their luxury tent studying his bird book to identify some of the 176 different species of birds he found during their visit to Uganda.

WOOP!!!!

Shauna enjoying an outdoor bubble bath surrounded by the forest and the sounds of birds and the rushing Nile.

Here we are dressed in our preparation-day attire.

The Nile River is one of the longest rivers in the world and proclaimed to begin its long journey northward to the Mediterranean Sea at this point as the water exits Lake Victoria, also one of the largest lakes in the world.













Faustine, a wonderful friend who Elder Thayn had the privilege of baptizing, confirming, and ordaining.

WE ARE OFF TO KENYA AND THE MASAI MARA

We are leaving in the early hours of the morning with our friends the Rixs to fly to Kenya for a safari to see some of the great wildebeest migration.

Catching a puddle-jumper flight from the airport in Nairobi to the Masai Mara where we will spend three days with the animals.

Elder Thayn with Elder and Sister Rix waiting to leave on our flight.

Here is where we roughed it for three days.  This is the kind of tent camping we like - king size bed, large bathroom, electricity, hot and cold running water, the whole nine yards.

The foot print of a lion . . . . found right outside our tent.  It was obviously looking for something a little more tender than a couple of oldies like us.

About one hundred yards from our tent was this mother crocodile laying on her nest of eggs.

True to the culture of Africa, nothing goes to waste, not even the food left on the tables when people have finished eating.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE ANIMALS WE SAW 

Our driver, Joseph, devoted himself to taking us on three game drives each day and explaining everything about the animals and birds we saw.

He even brought a picnic for us to enjoy  while watching the zebra and wildebeest.

THE ANIMALS WERE NOT THE ONLY THINGS 

WE FOUND TO BE INTERESTING AND UNIQUE

We visited one of the Masai villages - unique among the ancient tribes in the world.  One of the men spoke very good English, and is hoping to go to school in the US next year.  We spent a couple of hours with him as he took us through his village.

BYU WOULD DO WELL TO RECRUIT AMONG THESE PEOPLE

NOTICE HOW THEY SPRING MAGICALLY INTO THE AIR WHILE

HOLDING THEIR ARMS TIGHT AGAINST THEIR BODY

We enjoyed the warmth and friendship of the people here.

EACH TIME WE WOULD DRIVE IN OR OUT OF OUR CAMP, 

WE WERE GREETED WITH A BIG SMILE AND A SALUTE.

               Jackles on the hunt

AFTER SEVERAL SAFARIS WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO SEE A CHEETAH

The early morning sunrise on the plains of the Masai Mara

An unusual sighting of the secretary bird

Taking food home to the young ones

WE WILL CONCLUDE THIS BLOG WITH 

SOME PICTURES OF LIFE BACK HOME

They enjoy playing checkers.  If you look close, you can see that the pieces are bottle caps.

The man and his bicycle carrying feed for his animals.

Although few women have long hair, it is common for them to have yarn woven into their hair and braided or arranged in some rather attractive designs.

The ever-present guard watching over things.  This is Andrew with whom we became good friends and met with him and his wife and daughter to teach them about the church.

Sister Thayn knows how to make a child happy - in fact, young and old light up when she gives them a sucker.

Shauna doing some 4-wheeling in the Nile.

We found this a good way to see what life is really like in the villages.

TRUE AFRICAN VILLAGE LIFE

Here the villagers fill their jerry cans with water from a community tap, then transport it to their homes by hand, on their heads or on a bike.

Or, if you are creative, you cut an old can in half, tie a stick to it, and use it as a sled to pull your water can.

Don't we look like impressive missionaries?   As you can see, the work here can be pretty tough at times.

THE CRESTED CRANE IS THE NATIONAL BIRD