The Islands of Lake Victoria

The last place Emily and I visited was Lake Victoria on the Tanzania side. Africa's largest lake is also home to one of the largest fishing industries in the world. There are over 200 islands on the lake, many of which have a small fishing camp. People come from the mainland to these camps to earn money in fishing (men) or hospitality/prostitution (women).


Flying over a fishing camp
These camps are really put-together slums to take advantage of the money inflow of the fishermen. At night the camps turn into one big party with young persons participating in all sorts of illicit activity. This troubling situation creates a "Hot-Zone" for the AIDS virus and other diseases, where the disease is readily transmitted, infecting many persons. When the people start showing symptoms they return to their villages on the mainlands, often infecting their loved ones and neighbors.


My Dream Come True: Getting to Fly with Captain Hamilton
The missionary couple we visited, the Hamiltons, work with the African Inland Church to plant churches and improve the dire health situation of these islanders. Dale is a pilot and has (what he claims, I have no way of verifying) the only float plane in sub-Saharan Africa. His wife Chris is a registered nurse and has trained many community health evangelists to promote the life of Christ with responsible living.


Emily and I on a hill above the Hamilton's Place
I felt very challenged to be surrounded by such natural beauty and created ugliness. I also felt blessed to see what good can come out of such an incredible partnership the Hamiltons have with the local people. They have been there for 18 years, and their impact is most telling in the relationships they have formed. We met many members of the small church and were greatly encouraged to see their hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.


Children gather around to see the visitors
Still, there is much work to be done. My colleague Sam Mutua visited shortly after we left, and is working with the Hamiltons on a proposal that would fund a sustainable project to bring much-needed medicine and health training to these often-overlooked areas. God-willing, we will find funding for the program.