AFRICA AT ITS BEST-Our Children Came to Visit

Even thinking about the African Adventure we shared with three of our children still brings teary eyes and sends me running for a tissue. After being away for nearly a year the joy of having children join us in Africa was nearly overwhelming plus it was such fun to have them share our experience and visualize the culture and meet the people we have grown to love.

Elder Babcock and I traveled to Tanzania to the town of Arusha close by Mt. Kilimanjaro where our youngest, Rachelle, had an amazing adventure climbing the mountain wonder. She is a trooper and made it to the summit! She astounded Elder/Sister Rydalch, they are located in Arusha as well as her mom and dad with her climbing adventures. I'm just left to wonder where our kids get their adventuresome spirit? We found Arusha to be a hidden Tanzania jewel and had a great time with our tour guides, Elder and Sister Rydalch plus Elder Babcock and I assisted Elder and Sister Rydalch with their branch Pioneer Activity Day.  The Elders and Young Men participated in an old-fashioned “stick pull” contest led by Elder Babcock, Young Women had a sewing project to make scripture bags, primary children learned a multitude of games, and the women create a pioneer dinner that was part Kenyan style! It was a day of much laughter, great new foods to experience, and fun experiencing a bit of old fashioned pioneer spirit. 

 Young 16-18 years Masai young men with painted white faces participate in a ceremonial circumcision event that last close to 30 days. 

Kilimanjaro the mountain that Rachelle conquered! 

Masai women selling intricately beaded handmade jewelry.The cultural heritage of the Masai is the best preserved of all the African tribes. They live in the arid dessert by the Kenyan/Tanzania border. One Masai warrior that was invited to the evening rap-up dinner of Rachelle’s Mt. Kilimanjaro climb very sincerely took her hand and asked her to become his 2nd wife!!

 From Arusha we crossed back into Kenya to spend an evening in Amboseli Masai National Park.

KILAGUNI IN TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

Do you spot (pun) the leopard?

WHITNI AND BRENT JOIN RACHELLE

Kapsaret Primary School wanted to meet our children and when I told them the only day we could meet was a Saturday during the August school break the headmaster, William said we will hold school that day!  The school children loved our kids who taught them about America , and favorite American school games, plus Whitni created a treat bag for all 220 kids!

                            Thanks Whitni the kids have most likely never had a special treat bag before! 

Stickers were a hit!