going to the foire
16.3.14
driving down dusty dirt roads lined with 100 year old trees and listening to Mumford & Sons is enough to get anyone in a sentimental mood, despite the incessant bumping, road work and cattle crossings.
armed with camera, ridiculously floppy hat and sunglasses i wander through the masses of people, taking in the smells, sights and sounds that are africa.
smoked catfish that has been away from the water so long it no longer deserves to even be called a fish are mounded on tables.
never have i felt what it's like to be celebrity, but now that i have, i know that i don't like it. it makes me smile at first, guys hurriedly pulling out their cellphones to take pictures of the sweaty, sunburned tubaboo, maybe it was the awesome hat and sunglasses that made them think i had celebrity status….
things made by hand, with tools that would have been used in Bible times are sold for a fraction of the price that you would have imagined
chenilles (caterpillars) sit in an old, red bowl waiting to be bought, fried and consumed. woman hurry to shout their prices and assure you of the quality of their goods
rustic, handmade tools like those you would see in a museum are, are highly coveted and longed for, items that most people wouldn't take a second glance at are the only means to live in this harsh place
animals brought from near and far are shown with pride, an animal that would take a man's years wages to buy
"fresh" fish sitting in 106 degrees, in a landlocked country, what exactly is the definition of fresh?
empty water pouches litter the dry earth, bright colors stand out against the dull, red earth.
earthen pots, made by hand and carefully brought are showcased to all.
all of this and more is the nations agricultural fair, people trying to learn how to not only survive in this harsh place, but thrive.
Lord, show us how to help your people here.
Let us be the hands and feet of Christ, let us bring the Living Water to this dry and dusty land.
5 notes
I feel like I just went to Africa with you!!!!!! Thank you for the reminder to pray for these lost people.
ReplyDelete<3 from the U.S.
I missed your posts. Thanks for sharing. Love you all.
ReplyDeleteLove and mis you guys too!!
DeleteJust watched Mumford and Sons on Austin City Limits awhile back. Thanks for sharing the pics. Those folks know how to actually do a good fish fry with that "fresh" fish?
ReplyDeleteAren't' Mumford and Sons fun? Mom loves them, but Jess not so much. I've had their fried "fresh" fish here and it wasn't too great. The fish tasted as fresh as it looks, nothing like the stuff back home! Makes me miss the times Papa would come home loaded with sausage, potatoes and crab!
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