Katakula

Katakula Church of Christ is farther down the road to Kabanga than Katungu, and the trail Ruhtt drove to get us there felt barely large enough for the bicycles that travel back and forth to the main road. She managed to get us there and back again without difficulties. Praise God! We each could tell stories for days about our few hours with this community, so I'll let the pictures speak, and you can ask us for the stories when we return.

This child (20 months) had just been recovered from a small tub of water near the bore hole pump. His mother was washing clothes, and he had fallen in face first. He was in the water for a short time, but was pulled out soon enough, and seemed to be fine.

The women were so happy to see us that they sang and danced and even invited me to join them. You should be able to pick out the only makua in the crowd.

We walked down to the baptistry, which also serves as a river. Ruhtt showed us a place where a snake crawled out of the river right after a baptism. It's appearance caused the people to scatter without properly greeting one another and welcoming the new Christian. I am continually amazed by the faith of these people -- I think faith in God must be very strong to be baptized in a crocodile and snake and bacteria infested body of water.

Ruhtt joined a game of soccer.

I noticed this very thin boy, and he allowed me to take his photograph while he posed with the dilapidated soccer ball.

The church building was almost full when David shared the lesson about Daniel and the lions' den to illustrate that God is supreme and no one can take His place. Everyone listened attentively except the two young ones who fell asleep on their mother.

Mrs. Mbumwae quized the preschool children, and the passed with flying colors. We were all very impressed with the preschool teacher at Katakula.

We shared pencils and sweets with the school children. Each little girl got a new dress, thanks to some generous seamstress in Canada.

We shared bags of jewelry with the women, and you can see how proud they felt to have such a gift.

After we feasted on nshima and chicken and chibwantu, prepared by these gracious ladies, it was time to leave. I met a woman who shared with me that she had suffered a crocodile bite some years ago and now must walk with a cane. Her cane was splitting, and she explained the woes of having to constantly find wood to make a new cane.