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!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
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 |
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. |
After they left, the obligatory pilau was distributed. |
The aunties are too tired from all the wedding prep to dance! |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
What we eat...
Here are a few random food pics. In case you are wondering what we eat around here.
Whoa! here's the clean up crew! |
Huge lemons from the shamba! I think some lemonade is in order! |
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
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! |
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