MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Part 1 of 5

This posting is for our children's friends and their cousins who are waiting for pictures of the "African Experience"! Afterall, don't zoo animals run wild in Africa? They used to... but now with more people around, most of them are out on protected games reserves. These places are HUGE and you can drive around for a long time and still not see it all. Most American visitors like to go see the wild animals in the "Mara". It's in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.

Back in October, the compound men and boys took a day or two off their busy schedules and went to visit one of these game reserves. All work and no play can burn a person out, you know...so away they went hoping to see some big animals. It's a 5 hour drive, with the last hour being very rough and bumpy.


The Masai tribe are a nomadic people with no land of their own really. We have a few here in Kisumu (Luo land) and most times you can easily identify them in purple robes with their longs legs sticking out the bottom. Another identification is the stretched out hole in their earlobes. In this particular game reserve location, there is a Masai village and they overall supervise the place.

The men camped here overnight among chirps and screeches of various kinds. They said it was safe.

You can hire a van and guide or go out on your own. Please stay inside....

Jackson Martin-3, eager to see some animals. Jackson is son of Jonathan and Lavonna and grandson of Rueben and Maryann Yoder.

Part 2 of 5


Ah! The King of the Beasts!

and the queen ... no less!

"Hurry baby, it's a dangerous world out here! We need to get to get up and walk, actually you need to run......
-a mama topi and her newborn-

The elegant giraffes. Aren't they put together in an interesting way?

Part 3 of 5


A Wildebeast looking abit bedraggled.

It was a fight over what...do they know? It's a big world out there and plenty of room for both!

A crowned crane.

The great African elephant, you can't go to Kenya without seeing one of these in the wild.

Part 4 of 5


Who can resist a baby zebra?

Perfect stripes! Each zebra's stripes are different like fingerprints on a man's hand.

A slinking hyena

Water Buffalo-"am I ugly or what?"

Part 5 of 5


Two little gazelles feeling their 'oats'.

Mama warthog and her piggie litter

A flock of ostriches; the black ones are the males.

"Good night African Safari world. Sleep well in spite of barking hyenas and roaring lions.......maybe you'll still be alive in the morning."

(All photo credits go to Daniel Kauffman.)

NEHEMIAH OTIENO


“Time is running” is a phrase that’s commonly used in Kenya. And so it is.....we would like to feature as many of our Kajulu church members as we can and if I don’t get at it, they won’t all get done. Each one has an interesting story. This week's feature will be NehemiahOtieno.

Nehemiah is an interesting brother put together in a small, handicapped body with a brilliant mind. He was stricken with polio at one year of age and has since dealt with the crippling affects of the disease. Born in 1967, he was the son of the elder wife of his father. He had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Both brothers have passed away; one being struck by lightening. Also one sister is gone and the only remaining is one sister. His parents are also gone. Since his father had 2 wives he also has several half brothers and sisters. They all lived together in a “dala”, in a circular compound setting. But Nehemiah is quite alone in this world......in a physical sense.



Nehemiah

When asked what life was like growing up, Nehemiah described it as very difficult. With his handicap, he was frequently mocked. Other children would bark at him, calling him a “dog”. School was difficult and since he was limited physically, he thrust himself into his booklearning. There wasn’t enough money to finish high school; but he’s knowledgeable of the world in general and has a good grasp of the English language. His father loved the second wife better than his mother, making it even harder for him as the child of “unloved Leah”. The co-wife was even given a job and made some money which made life easier for them. This left Nehemiah’s mother to care for ALL the children while the other wife worked. Nehemiah sadly stated she finally resorted to alcohol and died a drunkard. Eventually, Nehemiah found his way to Kisumu and lives in a small lean-to beside a school.

Sam and Nehemiah having lunch at church between interviews

Tom Ogema has an office beside the school and became acquainted with Nehemiah. He invited Nehemiah to come with them and visit the CBF church. Nehemiah felt love and acceptance there and discovered this is what he lacks in his life. In 2005, he became a member and has since been quite useful in the church. He’s had some tough lessons to learn but has handled them patiently. He is occasionally used as interpreter and is currently the song leader. He has taught Sunday School in the past and also taught a Luo class to new missionaries. He has done some painting, drawing and architect work. We wish there could be more work for him, but it’s similar to waiting at the ‘pool of Siloam’; others get there first.



On our way to church, we pick up Nehemiah where he lives in town. When the children are along for Bible Study, he loves to hear them sing in the van as we travel. They have a certain amount of laughing and bantering back and forth. At 41, he gets very lonely and enjoys these social times. Because of his handicap, he cannot get a job to support himself and some times gets very hungry. At times, Sam and I also take him along as interpreter for interviews. In appreciation for his help, we’ll slip him a banana or loaf of bread. It’s a blessing for us to know Nehemiah.

Everyone is speaking of weather, so we will too. It seems to be the topic world wide. Snow, snow and heaps of snow. Typically in Kenya, it’s very hot and dry for this time of year. It continues to rain keeping everything lush and green and mosquitoes swarming. Church attendance is down abit because of mud and malaria.

Our family appreciates many of you remembering us during the Christmas season. We received numerous cards and family photos. They are still coming and we don't mind at all. Having you think of us means so much more since we're on the missionfield. Why?...we don't know..... it's one of those unexplainables.

May you be blessed!

Sam and Mattie and family