Burkina newsletter #27

**Sorry but this newsletter is a little dated. I typed it up 9 nine days ago and forgot to post it.**

Greetings from Burkina Faso! August is the heart of rainy season here in Burkina. That is good for farmers and bad for researchers – as you’ll soon learn. Since last time I have been on two research trips, the first toward the border with Benin (Berba people group) and the second toward the border with Mali (Samo people group). Both trips proved to have a little adventure but were nonetheless successful. Minutes after having finished the research on the Berba some fan belts in the truck snapped leaving my traveling buddy Rodolphe and I stranded for about 4 hours while we waited for our rescuers to arrive from the capital. Fortunately we had finished the research and were able to use the time for reading (had some books), rest (had mats), worship (had a guitar), prayer (had the Lord), and some exploring in the bush (see photos below).

On the most recent trip we traveled among the Samo, to the northeast of Bobo. The Samo are quite a large group consisting of several different dialects. Yet the Lord allowed us to find some key people to give us the necessary information. Upon traveling to our last stop, a pastor far out in the bush, we encountered a road better suited for a canoe in some places than a car. We gave it a valiant effort but our rugged 4x4 truck finally succumbed to the mud. After fruitless efforts by Rodolphe, myself, and a hitchhiker (pastor’s brother we happened upon) to free the vehicle, it was decided that the hitchhiker and I should walk (and wade in water up to our knees at times) the rest of the way the pastor’s village. After just about 30 minutes we arrived and got the necessary information from the pastor. He then escorted me back to the truck and recruited man power from the folks working in the fields along the way. A couple hours, a half a dozen strategies, and 15 strong Africans later the truck was emancipated from the mud pit. As we drove off, Rodolphe said, “We sure do have a lot of ‘experiences’ together.” I could think of a lot of other words to substitute for “experiences.” In the end though, God is always good, our research trips are successful, and we have stories to tell. I’m happy to report that there are churches already doing good work among the Berba and Samo peoples. We need only encourage them and support them in prayer.

Tomorrow I will take another research trip, this time with Chris Long, an EMT who is volunteering with us for about a month. We will travel to different areas along the Mali border to search for the Dogon and Bozo peoples (yes that’s their real name). These are both people groups native to Mali who spill over a little into Burkina. We actually know very little about their locations so it will truly be a hunting expedition. Pray that the Lord will help us find them. After that – more research and adventure.

Praise God for:

* successful research trips among the Berba and Samo – including the adventures.
* the good ministry already going on among the Berba and Samo people.
* good rains which cause mud pits and crops to grow.

Please pray for:

* continued safety and success on upcoming research trips.
* the ministry among the Berba and Samo to continue to advance.
* the peoples of Burkina who do not have the blessing of many churches and believers: the Vigue, Western Karaboro, and Komono, to name a few.

Thanks so much for your continuing prayers and support. God is with us! Blessings!

final thought:

Sympathy is no substitute for action.

~ David Livingstone

Bugs

My good friend Rodolphe (the guy in the photo) and I recently took a research trip toward the Benin border. On the way we saw this elephant (and another) on the side of the road. Later we had a couple fan belts break and were stranded for about 5 hours on the side of the road. During that time we encountered some of the bugs seen below.
The amazing dung beetle rolling his ball of dung.
A couple sculpting the ball out of a fresh cow patty.
This is a big stinkin spider! His rear end was bigger around than my thumb!
Butterfly on Nalgene.

Michael Roach photos

Michael Roach was one of the many volunteers we had this summer. He is quite a good photographer and was very kind to share his pics with me - and you. This is one of the fine roads we travel fairly often.
This is a view from on top of the Peaks of Sindou - one of the most beautiful areas of Burkina.
Donkey carting a load of mangoes.
Cute girl pumping water with a foot pump.
Local meat market. Beef. It's what's for dinner.

more of Mike's

These are young Fulani girls. The Fulani are a people group with very distinct dress and jewelry - such as the nose rings seen here.
This lady is pounding the shea nuts which are seen on the group and on top of the mud thingy. I would describe the thingy as a smoker. There is a fire in the bottom and the heat rising helps to dry out the nuts. This is part of the long process of making shea butter - for those of you ladies who know what that is.
More dudes on a truck.
The guy in the middle is Amadou who, as I explained in newsletter #25, recently decided to follow Christ. Please continue to pray for him and Pastor Denis who has the task of discipling him.
This was one of the three soccer matches we played against local village teams during the ISF sports teams time here. We actually tied 1-1 this match - our best outcome. (Thanks Alaina.)

Burkina newsletter #26

Greetings from Burkina Faso! In my last newsletter I left off praising and thanking God for His protection and provision during our busy summer of ministry with volunteer teams. I didn’t say this, but in the back (or front) of my mind I was thinking that we (David – Tami – myself) are pretty important in the hosting/leading of the volunteer teams so it’s a good thing God kept us healthy all summer. Soon after I wrote/thought that I came down with malaria again. As a result there were a couple days when the volunteer team from Southside Baptist (Lufkin, TX) was without any of us in the village of Badara. (They did have two local pastors and a translator with them though.) So what happened? Did they panic or starve or get eaten by cannibals? No they did just fine, and in fact, they lead a man to the Lord. Lesson: I’m a mere servant of the Lord and He is the One capable of changing hearts so I need not overestimate my importance in His plan for the nations (1 Cor. 3:5-7). I continue to learn that the Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways so that He gets the glory. We praise Him for how He used the volunteers from Southside (along with “independent” volunteers Ginny and Lauren) among the Sambla people.

I recently got back from Dakar, Senegal and our annual “Advance.” Advance is like a retreat only the opposite – or something like that. Actually it is the time when all the IMB missionaries of West Africa come together for fellowship, learning, and worship. At this year’s Advance I experienced such oddities as a view of the ocean, Oreos, fellowship with other young singles, air conditioning, 5-on-5 basketball (by moonlight thanks to a power outage), and worship/messages in English. The fellowship, as usual, was the highlight. We have such fine folks living amazing lives across West Africa. It is a privilege to count them as brothers and sisters.

The month of August I will be returning to the task of researching the unreached people groups of Burkina. We hope to finish our research responsibilities before the end of the year. In August we only have one volunteer coming to serve with us: EMT Chris Long. We plan to give Chris many opportunities to use his medical skills among the various people groups we’ve been working with. He will also accompany me on some research trips. I cannot yet give a detailed schedule of the month but I know that tomorrow I will head toward our border with Benin in search of the Bialaba people.

Praise God for:

* how He used the volunteers from Southside Baptist (+ Ginny and Lauren) among the Sambla and for the salvation of the man in Badara.
* the mystery and majesty of the Lord’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
* for the wonderful time of fellowship He gave all of us at Advance.

Please pray:

* for the upcoming research trips: that we acquire the necessary information and encourage any pastors/believers we come in contact with.
* that God would continue to cause growth among the people groups we have planted seeds among even in our absence: the Vigue, Dogose, Komono, Senara, Turka, Tiefo, Sambla, and others (1 Cor. 3:5-7).

Thanks again for your support and prayers as we continue to aspire to preach the Gospel where Christ has not been named (Rom. 15:20). God bless!

Final thought: (how about a poem this time? OK good.)

The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers

I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

~Unknown Confederate soldier

interesting stuff

Again - it never ceases to amaze me what (and who) they can pack on and in a vehicle.
Washing dishes.
Sunrise in Douna.
This is a Fulani woman who came by selling milk (in the gourd bowls on her head). The Fulani are a peculiar people group - very distinct from the others. Traditionally they are nomadic cow herders.
Grilled rat. No we didn't partake.

ISF and HBC youth

Team ISF (International Sports Federation) plays hard. And unfortunately this little girl hasn't learned to put the "dodge" in dodgeball. Don't worry she was ok. Just a little blood and tears.
Me and ISF minus Lolly (TJ, Alaina, Pat, and Paul (left to right)).
Paul and Pastor Denis sharing the Word with Vigue man Boureima (on the left). He says he will think on what he has heard and wants to hear more next time. Please pray for him.
Hardinsburg Baptist Youth on one of the peaks of Sindou.
Cute girl braiding Alaina's hair in Dakoro.

Burkina newsletter #25

Greetings from Burkina Faso! The last line of my last newsletter was “we think we’ve got all the bases covered (speaking of logistics for the volunteer teams) but we’re not above asking from prayer either.” Little did we know. I should know by now that I/we can never have all the bases covered, unless it’s by God’s grace and help. In this case, we had a pretty good plan . . . up until Tami (1/3 of our team) received news that her father had suddenly passed away of a heart attack. We thank the Lord that Tami was able to get from the village of Sindou to Ouaga to Florida in plenty of time to be with her family for the funeral. Unfortunately this coincided with our busiest days of the year (4 teams: totaling over 30 people were with us for a couple days). Many logistical plans had to change but the most important plans did not. By the grace of God we were able to continue the ministry as planned. God provided helpers (Deron/Mary Beth/Julien/Seni) to help with transportation/translation/cooking and much more. Furthermore, throughout the whole action-packed month of June we didn’t have a single illness that caused anyone to be taken out of the village prematurely. Through this somewhat frenzied month the Lord was our “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). I cannot say enough about His provision. We give Him praise and thanks.

So what have we done the past several weeks? In brief these four teams have ministered in five villages among several different unreached people groups. Our main goal in each village was to encourage the local churches/pastors and to aid them in their ministry. We ministered through praying for the sick and lost, playing games and loving on kids, showing the Jesus Film and “The Passion”, sharing a cultural exchange, and sharing the Gospel one-on-one. Amadou, in Ngafongo, prayed to receive Christ as his Savior. Boureima, in Karankasso-Vigue, says he wants to think more about it and hear more next time we come. Please pray for these men and the many others who have recently heard the Gospel. Pray that God will cause the growth in their lives and be glorified (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

It was truly a privilege to serve with each of the groups of the recent weeks: ISF, Davidson St. and friends, D/MB and Mike . . . but to have served with my former youth group from Hardinsburg Baptist was a special blessing. I want to especially thank Brad, Sarah, Penny, the youth and their parents, and all the members of HBC who made the trip possible. Thanks.

Currently we have two volunteers, Ginny (a returnee from last summer) and Lauren, who are wrapping up a week of ministry with Pastor Denis in Ngafongo. Tonight we welcome another returning “engaging church”: Southside Baptist from Lufkin, TX. After their previous vision trip they decided to partner with us in bringing the Gospel to the Sambla people. Southside leaves the 13^th and then Ginny and Lauren a few days later. On the 20^th I will join all other West Africa IMBers in Senegal for our annual meeting. Please pray for us to finish this summer of ministry with God’s strength.

Praise God for:

* His amazing protection and provision through a very hectic time.
* the opportunities we had to encourage, love, and share the Gospel.
* the large number of volunteers interested in working among the unreached peoples of Burkina Faso.

Please pray for:

* the seeds that were planted in so many hearts – that God would cause the growth. And that Amadou would be faithful to follow his Lord.
* the volunteers/churches who have gone back to continue to have a heart for the nations.
* the coming time of ministry among the Sambla people – that the Lord would continue to give us opportunities and courage to share the Gospel.
* God’s consolation for Tami and her family as they continue to mourn and for David as he remains separated from his wife for another week (Tami arrives back in Burkina on the 11^th).

Happy 4^th of July to my fellow Americans! I truly believe the adage “we are blessed to be a blessing.” Seek how God would have you be a blessing to the less fortunate. Thanks so much for the blessing of your prayers. God has been so good. I am thankful.

final thought:

Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease;
While other fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?

~ Isaac Watts

Pics courtesy of Wade Whynot

It's always for to see what the Burkinabe can stack on top of a vehicle.
Have you parents with young children considered getting your child a live chicken to play with? The kids love them!
If you look closely you will see that this child has a small wooden statue around his neck. This is not a fashion statement or a toy. Instead it's what the people here called a "fetish." It is bought from the local witchdoctor and is supposed to have spiritual power to protect him from evil.
Any of you teachers think your classroom is overcrowded? How about this guy who has 101 first graders in one room.
This is the mosque in Noumoukiedougou outside which (to the left under the trees) we had opportunity to share the Gospel with 80 plus Muslim men.

Burkina newsletter #24

Greetings from Burkina Faso! The volunteer carousel continues spinning. Two nights ago we welcomed the International Sports Federation (ISF) team and last night Wade Whynot left us. Wade (a volunteer All-Star) and I had a wonderful, and at the same time difficult week among the Dogose and Komono. The difficulty was not so much the conditions, although this is the region of Burkina which I consider to have the worst roads. One 50 mile stretch took us roughly 5 hours to bounce down. The physical difficulty in reaching our destinations parallels the spiritual difficulties in reaching the peoples hearts for Christ. The wonderful part of the trip is that we had numerous opportunities to share the Gospel with groups of Muslims in six different villages. In one village, Noumoukiedougou, we had set up a rendez-vous a couple days earlier. Now in West Africa one never knows what will come of a rendez-vous. In this case though we showed up in the village and were immediately taken to the local mosque where 80 or more Muslim men (including the imam, chief, and other village leaders) were sitting outside on their prayer mats waiting for us. I don’t mind to say that I was somewhat nervous walking into the encounter. Apparently not quite so much as Wade who later said he felt like Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. Nonetheless, as we usually found to be the case, the men were very attentive as we shared about what their Koran says about Jesus and then transitioned into what the Bible has to say. In nearly two hours of dialogue, there were only a few argumentative questions but overall the messaged was well received.

Despite the satisfaction of having the privilege of sharing the Gospel with so many people we also left with sadness each time we experienced the men’s hardness to our message. It was as if it had barely affected them. Multiple times we were told “it’s all the same.” The local pastors who accompanied and translated for us said that the people realize it’s not the same. Instead that’s their polite way of saying, “Thanks for what you’ve shared. Now go in peace.” On one instance, one of the pastors pressed the issue, focusing on the need to follow Christ. He was rebuked by the imam who made it clear that their ancestors had found “this path” (Islam) and they will persevere on the path until the end. This hardness of heart and mind can only be overcome by our Lord. Still we rejoice that seeds were planted and that God’s Word will not return void. May we pray for His mercy.

Just this morning we sent off David and the ISF team to Bobo and then Sindou. On Monday night, my former youth group from Hardinsburg Baptist will arrive. After orientation and travel, we will join ISF in Sindou on Wednesday to take part in the sports ministry that they will have established. Sindou is somewhat of a crossroads of people groups. The Senufo Senara, Turka, Ble, and Natioro peoples are all found in the immediate areas. All of these peoples are in extreme need of the Gospel. Sindou itself is a very spiritually oppressive place as the nearby tourist site of fascinating rock formations is considered to have considerable spiritual power among the many animists in the area. Please pray for our interactions with the people there.

Before either Hardinsburg Baptist or ISF leaves, a third team who will enter the country on June 16^th: Davidson St. Baptist Church. They are a group of 13 who are coming on a vision trip to look into adopting either the Tiefo or Turka people groups. Meanwhile part of the ISF team will leave while others will stay for another couple weeks. There are three days during which these three groups will overlap causing numerous logistical complexities. We think we’ve got all the bases covered but we’re not above asking for prayer either.

Praise God for:

* wonderful open doors for the Word among the Dogose and Komono.
* Wade Whynot’s ministry in Burkina.
* the busyness of seeking to reach the unreached.
* the continued interest of churches like Davidson St. B.C. to make long-term commitments to engage the unengaged.
* what I’m sure will be a special visit from some of the youth from my home church.

Please pray for:

* God to grow the seeds of the Gospel planted in the hearts of the Dogose and Komono people.
* many more opportunities to share the Gospel and demonstrate God’s love in the coming weeks.
* all to work out with the logistics of this busy but exciting time.
* God’s guidance for Davidson St. Baptist as they seek His will for their participation in the Great Commission.

It is times like these that I’m all the more thankful for your prayers of support and that God is in control. God bless!

kerry spencer

final thought:

A life is not surrendered in an instant. That which is life-long can only be surrendered in a lifetime.
~ Jim Elliot

Burkina newsletter #23

Greetings from Burkina Faso! Two more successful volunteer teams have come and gone. Bartlett Baptist’s third trip to Karankasso-Vigue helped us to continue to develop new relationships and strengthen already existing ones. Still we know of no Vigue believers. Karim, the chief’s son, continues to learn about and consider Christianity but is still not ready to follow Christ. Please continue to pray for Him and the rest of the Vigue who don’t know salvation in Christ.

This weekend we said goodbye to nine students and their leaders from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. They ministered among the Lyele who are the only people group we work with that has a number of established Baptist churches. We spent about nine days visiting and encouraging these pastors and believers. We had a number of opportunities to teach in the churches, prayerwalk in the villages, and show both the Jesus Film and The Passion. In the village of Dolo, where there is no church, 29 people indicated a desire to follow Christ. Please pray for these people and the churches in the follow-up work that remains to be done in Dolo.

Up next: In the next four days I plan to squeeze in a short research trip on the Bimoba and possibly a couple other people groups of southeastern Burkina. On Friday, volunteer Wade Whynot arrives. Wade is coming having thoroughly studied a method of evangelism (the CAMEL method) specifically geared towards Muslims. The CAMEL method attempts to reason with Muslims using verses from the Koran which point to Christ and the Bible. Wade and I will travel among the Dogose and Komono peoples trying to implement this evangelistic strategy. The Dogose and Komono are mostly Islamic groups who I last visited among in December and January. Like the Vigue we still know of no believers among one of the two Komono groups. Wade, David, and I will also offer a training session for pastors in the Bobo area to try to share this method of evangelism.

As Wade leaves on June 8^th we will welcome two more volunteer groups. One is a group from the International Sports Federation and the other is the youth group from my home church, Hardinsburg Baptist. I’m super excited about seeing those kids again. I hope to write again before they arrive to give you the heads up on what they’ll be doing as well as an update on my time with Wade using the CAMEL method. In the meantime . . .

Praise God for:

* Bartlett Baptist, the students from UMHB, Wade Whynot and the many other volunteers who are coming to make an eternal impact here in Burkina.
* the response to the Gospel in the village of Dolo.
* relative health and safety for all of us in recent weeks.

Please pray for:

* God to break through among the Vigue people.
* the Lyele pastors and churches as they attempt to be lights for the Lord, particularly in the follow up work in Dolo.
* Wade and I was we attempt to share the Gospel with Dogose and Komono Muslims. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Romans 10:1).

As always, thanks so much for you prayer support and interest in the unreached peoples of Burkina Faso. God bless!

kerry spencer

final thought:

We are unlike the Christians of New Testament times. Our approach to life is conventional and static; theirs was not. The thought of “safety first” was not a drag on their enterprise as it is on ours. By being exuberant, unconventional and uninhibited in living by the gospel they turned their world upside down, but you could not accuse us twentieth-century Christians of doing anything like that.

~J.I. Packer

Greek pics

The Parthenon on the Acropolis at night (in case you couldn't tell).
This is a view of Athens and a theater on our way up the Acropolis.
This is the southern tip of mainland Greece. On top are the ruins of a temple to Poseidon - God of the Sea.
This is a view from Delphi on the Peloponnese (the large island or peninsula of southern Greece). Most of the green seen below is olive trees.
This is an area called Meteora in central Greece. Back around the 11th century some monks decided these huge rock towers would be good places to build their monasteries. They built more than 20 monasteries like the one you see here but only 6 remain.

Turkish pics

This is Cappadocia which is such a difficult place to explain. It is 100-some square miles of incredibly beautiful and unique landscape. Way back in the day, people decided to carve their houses and churches into these odd rock formations. They also built underground cities. Many people still live in these cave-houses. Early Christians found this to be a good place to practice in secret. Hundreds of ancient churches have been found in the area. Peter wrote to the believer in Cappadocia and it is also mentioned in Acts 2:9.
Istanbul is spread over two continents: Asia and Europe. You are looking at the Europe side which contains the Blue mosque on the left and the Hagia Sophia on the right. Both are very impressive buildings. The Hagia Sophia was a church built in the 500's but was later converted into a mosque. This picture was taken from a boat which I took back and forth several times. The straight in between is called the Bosphorus.
This is a lady hand-weaving one of the carpets for which the country is well-known.
This is the inside of one of the cave-houses of Cappadocia (Goreme actually). We were invited here by a nice, old lady who was surprised and excited that my friends could speak Turkish. We were given some apple tea and a warm welcome.
Just one of many very impressive mosques in Istanbul.

Casablanca, Morocco

Young fella selling fresh olives and pickled things in a local market. They love their olives around the Mediterranean.
Some of the many carpets beings sold at the Habous market.
The Hassan II mosque is the second largest religious monument in the world - just behind the one in Mecca. It is one of the few touristic sights in Casa.
Some arches at the mosque.
A rather large door of the mosque. I'm the little guy in grey and blue by the potted plant.

Burkina newsletter #22

Greetings from Burkina Faso! I’m back after about 3 weeks of vacationing in Morocco, Greece, and Turkey. I had a great time! It was wonderful to spend a week with my parents, visit some old friends in new environments (Casablanca and Istanbul), and to see some more of God’s amazing creation. I am so blessed to have had this opportunity to travel and visit. I wish I could tell you all about it, but this is not a travel guide. (If I have time I might share some more here later.) However I will share a few of the spiritually significant aspects of the trip. I was told that in Morocco there are less than 1000 believers and it is officially illegal to convert to Christianity. Greece is 97% Orthodox Christian, however, from my short experience I noticed many practices which stray from Biblical Christianity. Lastly, though this is not typical of the country, while I was in Turkey, three believers were tortured and had their throats slit. Turkey is officially a secular state, yet statistics say 99.8% of the population is Muslim. All these people and places need our prayers.

So, back to Burkina . . . I neglected to mention that a volunteer team came to work alongside David and Tami while I was on vacation. Southside Baptist (Lufkin, TX) had a great vision trip among several of the people groups we’ve been promoting. They are now in prayer over which group they will adopt and when they will return. Praise God for them and please pray with them for God’s guidance.

The volunteer marathon is upon us. On May 1^st, David, Tami, and I will return to Karankasso-Vigue with a couple more volunteers from Bartlett Baptist (TN). There we’ll have a chance to follow up with Karim and Noufou who you’ve heard much about in previous newsletters. We also hope to continue to spread the word to other’s who’ve not yet heard. Then on May 8^th we are joined by another team (FBC Belton, TX and U. of Mary Hardin-Baylor) who will minister among the Lyele (lay-lay) and also do some teaching at our Baptist seminary in Koudougou. There are several more teams to come who you will hear about in due time.

Praise God for:

* a wonderful vacation spent with my parents and friends.
* Southside, Bartlett, and Belton Baptist churches for their interest in the unreached peoples of West Africa.

Please pray for:

* both the lost and the believers in oppressive places in the world.
* Southside Baptist as they seek the Lord’s guidance on how to minister with us here in Burkina.
* us along with Bartlett Baptist and ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­FBC Belton as we seek to share the “glorious Gospel of the blessed God” (1 Tim. 1:11).

Again I am so thankful for my time away but it’s good to be back in Burkina and to know of your prayer for us here. God bless!

kerry spencer

final though:

We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

~T.S. Eliot

This is the way I’ve felt since arriving back in Burkina. My short time away has allowed me to notice the peculiarities of Burkina afresh. I feel like I’m in Africa again. I notice more the oddities of donkey carts on the city roads, random objects (sewing machines, chairs, etc) carried on people’s heads, the local music, and much more. I know Burkina (and Kentucky) better for have visited those other counties. I am also more thankful for the freedom we have in this country to share the Gospel and the freedom (at least legally speaking) for people to accept it.

More random Burkina pics

These are just some more pics I pulled out of the "random Burkina pics" folder for your viewing enjoyment. This is a stained glass window in a Catholic church in rural Burkina. Certainly not a common sight I assure you.
This is a fun picture because you see 1) the bold and precarious loading of an average bush taxi and 2) the competition of the local concession sellers to get the business of the passengers.
Me between a couple of the roots of a Kapok tree. Kapoks are known for these huge, leg-like roots that form the base of the trunk.
This is my favorite little neighbor kid, Mai. I won't lie, she's quite fond of this "Tubabu" (white person). Ever time my gate is open she'll just wander in. The chair she's in is made solely of palm fronds and a few strips of animal hide to tie things together. It cost me a whole $3.
I never cease to be amazed at what people will carry on their motos/bicycles/cars/heads/etc.