Traveling the Circuit

Friday we left early and took the three missionaries with us to Eldoret for a zone conference. Along the way we stopped at the Kakamega National Forest—one of the few remaining old growth forests of virgin timber. Apparently many of the hills around us used to be like that until the English decided tea plantations were more profitable. It was fun to walk in the forest. The guide paid for himself as he helped us avoid a migration of Army ants. Apparently if a drunk is passed out in their path, they can dispatch him to bones in two days.

Here are bandas or places you can spend the night. They are new and actually have nice beds inside. No power, yet. And the bath and shower are both in huts off in the woods.

We saw a lot of trees and plants, a few birds and some monkeys. The most spectacular are the black and white Colobus monkeys.

This strangular Fig has taken over the host tree, done it in and filled in the inner core. Sometimes they call it a drum tree as you can pound on the roots and it makes a drum sound.

We spent a while tracking a group of these Hornbills. They are actually quite large birds.

And we climbed to a look out and saw over all the forest.

We continued on to Eldoret and we stopped on the way at the orphanage that makes a tasty Gouda cheese and bought half a round. We went to dinner with the Littlefields in Eldoret and had the best Italian food we’ve eaten here. Saturday was a great Zone conference. I am always so impressed with these young missionaries! They have powerful testimonies. They love the Lord. And they are willing to spend two years of their life, at their own expense, sharing the message of peace, joy, and hope.

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We left about 4pm to drive to Busia as we needed to be there early Sunday morning. This was officially classified as a “Not Fun” drive. We had the Busia missionaries with us and that was a good thing as they mostly knew the way. However, we allowed 3 hours of daylight, and it was a 4 hour drive. And it got dark much earlier because of the storm clouds and the rain. So we had unfamiliar roads, rain, potholes, all the side traffic of people and bikes, as well as dark and glaring headlights. Through Tom’s excellent driving and the Grace of God, we made it. Pres. Taylor, his wife and 2 children were also on that road about the same time, and we arrived at the Farmview Hotel within minutes of each other.

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We had a lovely relaxed (read leisurely service) dinner with the Taylors and hit the hay. Sunday was Branch Conference for Busia. They are doing well and growing. I love the wonderful people there! Nine men received the Melchezedek Priesthood, probably doubling the number they had. Then about 3:30 we left to come back to Kisumu, where Pres. Taylor interviewed more men for advancement in the priesthood. We enjoyed visiting with the Taylors over a light dinner we fixed. It was good to be back in a familiar bed. I don’t know how the Taylors keep that kind of schedule week after week. They must be supported by angels.