We saw some of the cute kids on the way.
We finally reached Engagi Lodge and they had supper ready for us
Engagi is Ugandan for Gorilla
Elder and Sister Squire - our medical couple - not quite sure how to use the napkins
Beautiful jungle cabins with all the comforts of home.
Sometimes the Gorillas come right up the cabins and peek in the windows
The Elders
Elder Story, Hannan, Squire, Pres. Chatfield, Wallace, Hansen
The Girls
Sister Squire, Hansen, Hannan, Chatfield, Wallace, Story
Elder and Sister Squire
Tarzan or Monkey?
Engagi Main Lodge with the hills of Bwindi Impenitrable Park
in the background. Breath taking
Other Lodge views
Famous Fig Tree in the Area - Over 100 years old
Once used as a place of worship, a place of healing, and a place of learning.
Now they have churches, hospital and a school thanks to Dr. Scott from California.
We hiked up the mountain and this pygmy group came down to meet us part way.
Notice Ken towering above the others. A rare occurrence.
Ken had a special interest in meeting the pygmies that stretched back over 40 years.
When the missionaries were teaching us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ they explained the importance of everyone being baptized. This concerned him so he asked the missionaries, "What about people, like the pygmies in Africa that will never have the opportunity to be taught about Jesus Christ? " They explained that through temple ordinances baptisms would be performed on behalf of everyone.
Over many years of Scouting Ken has attempted to start fires by rubbing sticks together
many times without success. The Batwa showed us how it was done and had flames in a matter of minutes.
They use the smoking grass to chase bees out of the hollow trees so they can access the honey.
"How Sweet it is"
They showed us some of the herbs they have used over the centuries for healing.
Some are used for stomach problems, wounds, malaria etc.
One that was interesting is an herb that was used to help a woman produce milk for
orphaned infants. They said that is works for women over 70 years old.
One of the typical huts that they used to live in. They called them different names according
to the shape of the hut.
This one is a two story penthouse suite
They fit 8 pigmys in the one.
Camouflage
They performed traditional dances for us with drums and singing.
This represents the God of the Forest. Can you imagine them getting any darker.
They darkened his skin with soot.
They demonstrated some of the methods of trapping animals with snares and traps.
Sister Wallace bringing home the bacon.
Here is the group of us all together. Can you pick out the two that don't
seem to fit? Four members of this Batwa group are over 80 years old. They sprinted
up the mountain in their bare feet while we plodded along with our walking sticks.
This was a very exciting experience for us. After flying 30 hours, driving 12 hours and hiking 4 hours up
the mountain we had a chance to meet the Batwa pygmies we were concerned about some 40 years ago. They
taught us some of their traditions and ways of life and told us about their God of the Forest. In turn we
shared our beliefs with them, gave them copies of the Book of Mormon and pictures of Jesus Christ. A special time where we were all edified.
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