Yet another ferry disaster

Two weeks ago, a  ferry travelling from the mainland sank as it was nearing our island. There was very high winds that day, and when a larger ferry passed too closely by the smaller one, it was overturned in the wake.  Around three hundred people were trapped inside, and died. About one hundred and fifty people were saved alive.
Rescue vessels did not arrive at the accident until two hours after it happened, despite it being very near- even within sight- of the harbor. Fishing boats and other small vessels were among the first responders, who were able to rescue many survivors.

It is another disaster, due to carelessness and greed, much like the ferry that sank last year in September. That accident was even worse, with over two thousand people drowning en route to a neighboring island. It was overloaded to the max, and not able to navigate the strong current that day.

This recent accident involved a ferry which was very old- it had been retired as unseaworthy from Washington state, sold, transported to Tanzania, modified with another deck so as to carry more people/cargo, and used for several years to ferry people from the mainland to the island.

And there is no compensation to the survivors or relatives of the victims from the owners of the ferries. There is no consequences to the port authorities, or the captains, or the ferry owners. Other than a few officials stepped down from their posts. ouch, right? It is sickening, literally.

 Bob went with a good friend of his to the place where the corpses were brought, to try find two of his relatives. They were never found. After a few days, they had a funeral for them.
The bodies of many little children were there. No one could even identify many of them. But this I know, that Jesus knows them perfectly, and He welcomed them into His arms that day.

This is another reminder to us of the urgency of our message. No one knows which day will be his last, for we all must go the way of all the earth. But that each man would go in peace, and in assurance, of his final destination!- and not live in fear, and uncertainty, as do so many of our neighbors. Lord, may the Good News go forth, throughout this island, and be received by many accepting hearts!

The bride, all dressed in green.

I went to a wedding a couple weeks ago, for which I was asked to be the videographer...but of course, i had to take some pictures too! Weddings here are quite different from the ones we're used to...but they are the same in some ways, too. Weddings vary quite a bit according to the family's heritage, traditions, and wealth (or lack thereof). This wedding was pretty typical, though. The men and women do not go together- the men go with the groom to the mosque for the ceremony there, and the women stay at home with the bride, or go to a hall to await the newlyweds' arrival.

Waiting for the bride at her family's home. She is out getting  getting decorated, as they say!

This is the bride's little sister. She is having some trouble with the petticoats!

Guests begin to arrive, and wait on mats in the yard.

The bibi Harusi (bride) arrives! She a is a young woman of 19 years,  and happy to marry  be married to the groom, as they are in love. This is not always the case, as many marriages are arranged.  

She goes into the bedroom to wait for the groom. 

While waiting, lots of pictures are taken!

Beautiful henna is painted all over her hand, feet, arms and legs.  This is considered a must for bibi Harusi!

Even the bottom of the feet!

The bride with her bibis (grandmothers.)

The taarab band arrived a little while before the groom came.

The band played traditional taraab wedding music, while everyone danced with joy!

Two large buses arrived bearing the groom and his
company. I didn't think they would
 manage to squeeze in
through the narrow alleys, but they did it!

Dancing!

Once the groom arrived, everything went very fast. He went to the bedroom,  where  a short blessing was chanted, a few more pics taken, and then they went out to the stage.

The stage is just a place where the couple sits and more pictures are taken. 

Everyone stared at the newlyweds on the beautifully decorated stage.

They didn't hand around at the stage too long. The groom brought along a cameraman who had one of those obnoxious bright lights to make the video actually seeable. Unfortunately, it is very annoying to have it shining right in your face! After this they went right out to the car, and were outta there! Back the groom's place. 

After they left, the obligatory pilau was distributed.

The aunties are too tired from all the wedding prep to dance!

But there was more dancing after the bride and groom left, and halwa (a sweet treat)  was passed around. That wrapped it up!  I pray this couple will be blessed, and live and learn together for years to come.  May they discover the True Fount of every blessing in the journey.

What we eat...

Here are a few random food pics. In case you are wondering what we eat around here.

This is a real island spread. Coconut bananas with tripe, pilau, cutlasi, tropical fruit, passion fruit juice, tamarind juice, and there was also rice with spicy, saucy beef which is a favorite dish of my husband! Unfortunately we don't eat this way every day, but only on special days or holidays, with friends!

The boys are enjoying Froot Loops which were generously bequeathed  to us by a friend who  left the island... and they are lovin' em, since we normally never eat cold cereal here! ( Cereal is hard to come by- unless you're into corn flakes and rice crispies. And a box of those cost more three dozen eggs. Yep, we go with the eggs.)

It's what's for dinner! They are called samaki nyoka- snake fish- around here; I  don't know what their proper name is. They taste good, but have so many small bones that it is very time consuming to prepare them for the kids. 

Whoa! here's the clean up crew!

Huge lemons from the shamba! I think some lemonade is in order!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day, America! We will always celebrate this day wherever we are in the world, because our third son was born on the 4th of July, two years ago! If we are ever in the USA on July 4th, it will be great fun to have fireworks on his birthday! No fireworks around here...but we had a little celebration at home, with cake and goodies, balloons, games, and funny hats! Bob made sausages in the evening, I told the kids a brief story of Independence Day, and we sang a couple of patriotic songs. It surprises me sometimes how American my kids are, and yet how not African they are! So weird. 

He just wants a lick at the frosting of those cupcakes!

He's two!

He blew out the candles all by himself, although Gilbert
so generously offered to help!

He's getting tired of pictures!

These crazy headpieces from a local supermarket were were definitely worth the 600 shillings of entertainment!  

Our party food included cupcakes, mashokishoki (rambutan), popcorn,  and fresh lemonade!