Day 11 - Uncle Monkey's Family

Ale’, Just wanted you to know that the Gentle Giants post was for you!

Grandpa Bob, Loved seeing your post.

MomP, We expected you to fight Dad off with a stick to protect those chocolate bunnies!

April, Glad you’re back. We missed your comments! We’re anxious to hear about your trip as well.

Mom S, Thank you for your faithfulness.

Thanks to all for the responses, thoughts, and prayers. It is most appreciated.

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Today we attended the S.D.A. church at the University of Arusha. We had attended a Catholic service and wedding ceremony in the Congo and I suppose we were expecting a bit of the Congolese flair in this service as well. Since we didn’t know what was going to be in the area, as far as churches go, we hadn’t packed any “church” clothes. We had noticed that on Good Friday everyone was wearing their best, and since we didn’t want to offend anyone, several of us bought Kangas and bright shirts to match.

We didn’t exactly know where we were going as there were no signs leading us there and the walk there took us a little longer than anticipated. Church was packed with overflow spilling onto the lawn outside and onto the steps of the church.

One of the deacons was very kind and insisted on finding us seats, proceeding to march us up to the front one at a time during the ongoing service. He actually removed smaller occupants from their seats in order to make room for us. He led Ashton to the front of the church, picking a little girl up out of her seat and insisting Ashton sit down. Ashton hesitantly obeyed and took the smaller seat; he looked humorous as his six foot frame sat down in a chair that was sized for 6 year olds. Knees to his chest, he sat and listened to the rest of the sermon.

Turns out this church service is nothing like what we expected…they are quite conservative. Their clothing was also a bit subdued in color with most people in suits, shirt and ties, conservative dresses, with no jewelry to speak of.

Elisabeth made the mistake of clapping after a special music. Picture brightly colored, modest jewelry wearing, clapping white people in this scene – we stuck out like sore thumbs.

Today was communion in celebration of Easter…what a wonderful ceremony. Most of us were in flip flops and having walked to church, we needed foot washing. We reflected on how this must have been more of what the foot washing ceremony was like back in bible times with everyone walking everywhere.

While there were no instruments, the music was wonderful. Seems the whole church was a choir with each individual knowing his or her part. Paul whipped out his phone and made a quick recording that you can get Here.

The Havileh orphanage kids attend this church as well. This little boy latched onto Paul during craft time a few days ago – his name is Simon. As soon as Simon saw him he ran and grabbed his legs wanting to be held. We’ve bonded with so many of the kids while here.

Who could have imagined we would run into someone we know from Laguna Niguel, CA. Alisa Pettey Torres’ husband is President of the college here. This is such a small world!

After church we went to the Arusha National Park (a large acreage conservation area you can drive) to look for monkeys.

Active Monkeys are hard to capture on film as they are constantly moving and usually hidden behind something. The cameras were working overtime to try and focus with the low light conditions and all of the shrubbery.

These guys are called Sykes Monkeys.

These Black and White Colobus were really neat with the long flowing white tale. They were a bit elusive and we had to sit for a long time trying to capture them.

We were hoping to see a Blue Monkey while we were here, but none showed themselves.

And of course we found a troop of Baboons drinking by a spring.

This mom was carrying a newborn and he was getting tossed around like a ragdoll.

While not the prettiest creatures in the world, most find warthogs more endearing after the movie Lion King.

What a blessed day. Tomorrow, we’ll be visiting a Good Hope Orphanage in the Arusha slums and bringing them their Bags of Blessings. We’re looking forward to meeting more precious children and then off we go to the Coffee Lodge for an Easter lunch.