Ruthin here we come

Can't wait to get back to our beautiful warm house on park road

Now it's already Wednesday, 19th Dec. Ooops, I'm getting behind with posts. We arrived last Friday in time to join our second practice in the Ruthin Christian Fellowship carol singing group. Saturday we sang in the market, and Sunday in the worship service and then again in local sheltered accommodation.

How can I describe it? It's difficult to find words that express the amazing sense of worship and praise, fun and laughter that lifted my spirit. There's nothing like it! I kept on thinking "Soon I'll wake up to reality" but I'm still living this wonderful dream!

I sang mostly in English (it was optional), but when we sang one carol all in Welsh the whole atmosphere changed to a different level, and we were almost gasping with amazement at the sense of harmony and beauty in the singing.

Visit to Dad

In Tavistock at last! It's been a long time since we visited him. The Olympics have been and gone, and now Dad is thinking of moving into something smaller and with more support. He was offered a room in Abbeyfields on Plymouth Road opposite the park. He's very positive about this momentous decision, and looking forward to more company. Brave man.

I'm going to write more later - this is just for the record!

14th Dec OK now in Haddenham with some dear friends, Hugh and Tricia who have given us massive support on our arrival. They met us in Tilbury Docks, drove us to their home and let us mellow for two nights before driving to our house in Ruthin, North Wales. This past week we have stayed mainly with them as we visit our mission office in Oxford and have health checks.

The de-brief at CMS went well, and we feel positive about our future. Very thankful to God for His care all through these times.

water everywhere

Water surrounding us is the story of our lives in the last few weeks. Last Tuesday we woke up to the sound of fire engine sirens going past our window on Park Road (in the back of this photo).

We arrived in Britain on Wednesday 28th November, with gale force winds off the coast of Sheppy, but as we docked at Tilbury the weather seemed calmer. For our first few days the rain held off, but after allowing us to get settled into our little house, it came back.

I poked a sleepy head out of the door later on, when I heard lots of talking and activity outside, and our neighbours were putting sand bags against their doors, front and back. The floods came to within a few meters of our house, but thankfully didn't get through the defences which were put up after the year 2000 floods here in Ruthin. About one hundred houses were affected though, and the residents are still living in temporary accommodation while their homes are being de-contaminated. It will take a few months before they can get back, so Christmas will be a different story for them.

Kalahari at sea

Lifeboat practice kept us occupied on our first Saturday. The crew do this every week, and we saw the life-boat almost launched. It was swinging over the side of the boat, then they reeled it in again. The Captain gave us leave to take photos, and go everywhere, so I have quite a collection. One day I'll get organised and have a few more up on the blog.

We had freedom to go on the Bridge and look at all the dials, maps, gauges and charts. It was enormous, with lots of window space front and back, side to side. As well as keeping the radar on all the time, a crew member with a pair of binoculars was looking to see if any boats or objects were around. Most of the journey we spent with nothing but ocean in view. Then when we arrived in the English Channel, and sailed from Northern France past Plymouth, Dover, Calais and in to the Thames Estuary, as well as land closing in on both sides, we could also see around eight other boats a lot of the time. Some were going in the same direction, some in the opposite one, and some sailing directly towards us. Those mostly ended up going behind us, across our wake.

During the journey we could do email from the crew's address, when we weren't feeling nauseous, as the Bridge was at the top of the boat's swing! There was also a satellite phone, so I talked to my Dad when we were 1000 miles east of Ascension Island, and 1500 miles west of Africa.

wave-print on the ocean

A long time since I've posted - a whole month in fact!

Here's the boat, at least as much as I could get in one picture on board. Our foot-print on the earth's surface was even more distinct; I'm sure the wake of the boat could be seen from a satellite in space. We learnt that the boat could carry up to 4,000 containers of 20 foot each. On our journey most of them were 40 foot, and we were not fully loaded.

The sea calmed down for us, and it was like sailing through a mirror off the West coast of Africa. Flying fish flew out of our way, and I could even see the splash of their tails in the water as they picked up speed. Some flew only a few feet, and some flew around 30 meters before landing again in the 'mill-pond' sea. They have fins either side which helps them to glide, and the speed is quite incredible.

In the tropics we had good weather, so the swimming pool was filled each day from the sea. It was 4x4 meters, and I just swam round and round and back again to reverse the dizziness. There was a gymn as well, so our fitness kept getting better! Until the Bay of Biscay where the waves really started. The ship rolled so much that Kevin had to lie down after taking sea sickness tablets.

DAL Kalahari

http://www.safemariner.co.uk/dal_kalahari.html

This is the website for our ship, which is where we'll be now for the next three weeks until we arrive in Tilbury Docks, London, UK. The berthing of the ship in Cape Town was due today, but we've been told it will be at midnight, so asked to come at 7am tomorrow morning. That is when we'll do passports and immigration as well. Now I'm looking forward to it even more.

While we were travelling on the train, it was difficult to get to grips with the boat part, but now we're thinking about how much sea-sickness we'll have, and what to do all the time. Lots of plans! Maybe write a novel, read some books on my kindle, and study the Welsh language. Maybe. Watch this space!

Table Mountain

Our new friends, Tracy and Peter have welcomed us like family. Yesterday we set out to climb Table Mountain, but the table cloth cloud was too thick in the morning when we arrived. It was sad, because the day before had been sunny and clear.

Instead we decided to go to Robben Island, just off the coast, where Nelson Mandela was in prison for many years, so we drove around town to the habour and stood in the queue. But when we arrived at the front, the boat was full, so we couldn't go there either :^(

Instead of that, we took a boat round the harbour, "To get our sea legs in" as Peter said.

Then to cheer us up even more, we had an amazing game lunch there in the Harbour. As we were eating it, looking up at the mountain, we saw the cloth was lifting off!

Such a welcome from the maker of the Table! We drove back to the foot of the mountain and went up to the top, in the cable car! There we found, as well as the stunning view all around, it was warm, calm and peaceful. Normally there is a cold wind blowing.

At the end of the day, sleepy heads couldn't keep our eyes open, and later today, Sunday is the day we are set to board the VERY big ship in the container habour. That ship, the DAL Kalahari will be our home for the next three weeks.

Cape Town Leg

The train we took from Johannesburg to Cape Town was very different to all the others. It was the last and fifth of the overnight trains, a comfort and a delight to ride in. Kevin had booked a ticket in tourist class while we were still in Kilolo, Tanzania, but because we were not in South Africa, it was too risky to pay over the ether as required, so we lost our booking.

Our God is greater, and he gave us another of our many angels in the booking office man at Musina station. 'Dr John' found a compartment for us on the already fully booked train we wanted to take, and in addition he made sure no-one else would book into it, and we didn't even have to pay for all four seats. That meant we could totally relax and enjoy the last leg of trip South.

We went to the dining car for both dinner and a magnificent breakfast, and had some fun with the waitress taking photos for and of us. This one of Kevin, I took, though!

Johannesburg

We pulled into the station after a rough night on the train. No sleepers, so Kevin sat all night and I put my fleece blanket on the floor under the seats and lay with my feet and face under opposite seats. Amazingly I did get some sleep.

The train was very late arriving on Monday morning, but Ruth our friend met us and took us to her house. She left us getting cleaned up and went back to work, and Dave came in later after he got back. We had a wonderful evening of fellowship with them, even though we had only just met that day!

Across the Limpopo into SA

A relief to connect again. For too long we've been relying on internet cafes where we can't easily upload photos. Now using Kevin's netbook on a South African phone card, life is getting easier again.

The border crossing over the Limpopo river yesterday was long and tiring, but we made it to this Lodge in the middle of town. Most of the place is noisy and full of traffic, but this is an oasis. Even so the local music is loud and constant.

The night train from Bulawayo was less clean than the last one from Vic Falls. In fact I would rate our Tanzanian overnight as the cleanest, safest and roomiest of all. It is also the easiest border crossing, as the officials board the train on both sides. Yesterday we had to catch transport and wait in a long queue on both sides of the bridge and border.

Birdsong in Bulawayo

This morning we woke up to birdsong in the trees around our hostel. They are not bothered by all that I am concerned with. We arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday morning and found the temperature had dropped. The views on the way in were depressing, including graveyards for both humans and trains. The city is flat, and a strong wind blows all the time, making it necessary to wear a fleece jacket and closed in shoes instead of sandles. The streets are wide and the whole place built for traffic, but sometimes strong smells make my nose sore! The power station, which looks like Battersea, dominates the main street that we use. A strange icon.

We mostly caught up with internet yesterday, though no picture uploads, and had lunch in a local Bar. We found the people extremely friendly and helpful, especially when we asked directions from them.

Today, Thursday we take another overnight train to Beitbridge on the border with South Africa. The long journey South is half complete.

Victoria Rain Falls

Watch this space. Here it is...

On Monday we went to the Falls. There are three great waterfalls on the earth; Niagra, Iguasu and Victoria. The others have a greater height or volume total, but in terms of a single falling sheet of water, Victoria takes the prize.

The canyon in front of the falls offers an amazing viewpoint from lots of different places, and the cool spray came across to fall on us. We were there until the afternoon, and had a picnic lunch in the hot shade of a fruit tree. Not sure what the fruits were, but the birds liked them. Later on we wandered back, and the sun gave us a rainbow treat in the mist above the Falls.

Back in our hostel, during the night after we had been to the Falls, the first rain fell for many months. It cooled the air, making it almost pleasant to walk around. On Tuesday evening we boarded the train on to Bulawayo, and almost boiled in our compartment as we waited for the train to set off. The night was hot, but we were well looked after by the train crew.

across from Zambia to Zimbabwe

We crossed the bridge over the Zambeze River last Sunday on foot with rucksacks on our backs; In the middle of the bridge is where the Bunge jumpers go from, and I almost was tempted. Then I remembered things aren't quite right inside me anyway, and that might just make it worse. That's my excuse, anyway.

It was a hot and steamy day, and we sweated as the photos were taken. The walk was a little longer than we expected, so after getting across the bridge, we cheated and flagged a lorry driver down. It was all I could do to get in, and Kevin had to push me up, then I didn't get a grip and nearly fell out. The driver was very welcoming, and we sat in the enormous cab as he drove to the immigration post. He showed us to the right door, where we got our visas.

A taxi took us to our accommodation; we stayed at the Victoria Falls Backpackers for two nights. That day we took it easy, then walked to the Falls the next day. I never expected to have such an experience in my lifetime. The thunder, the spray and the view of millions of gallons tipping over the edge was out of this world.

Pictures will follow, as there is no facility to upload here where we are now (Bulawayo) (later in Messina, SA, on 27 Oct, uploaded a photo of us on the bridge)

Bussing it

We wanted to go the whole way by train, but through most of Zambia it seems the track and rolling stock (did I got the terminology right, Kevin? "Yes" Editor) have not been well maintained, so either it's too slow, or leaves at midnight, or there's no security. So today we came by a high class bus to Livingstone. Air-conditioned, drinks provided, video on tap, and comfortable seats made me think I was on the UK coach trip.

Arriving in Livingstone, we asked our prospective taxi driver to take this photo, and then he brought us to a guest-house called Comfort Corner (which Kevin found on hostelbookers.com). It has: Air conditioning, en-suit facilities, spotless sheets and clean environment, all very different to what we have experienced so far. I washed out a few clothes and saw the brown water going down the plughole. A good feeling!

To Lusaka with Kevin

So far, we've been well looked after by our Lord and God! The Journey from Makambako to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia took 35 hours, and thankfully we had a sleeping compartment with good washroom facilities. At just about every stop, we saw children asking for empty bottles, so threw ours out as we were done drinking our 14 litres of Kilolo water. We drank an average of one litre every five hours. The extremes of temperature left us gasping - from cold as African cold can be when I waited to buy the ticket in Makambako, to swelteringly hot in Mbeya station. Then mostly very warm until KMP where we spent the night.

On the bus this morning to Lusaka it got gradually hotter, and now I'm sitting in a room in a backpackers hostel, wishing there was a little more air movement. However we are safe and well, and fed on village chicken with vegetables and nsima (ugali in Tanzania), a stiff maize porridge which somehow seems wonderful when I'm hungry!

Tomorrow to Livingstone, and then across the border to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. We'll do this leg on the bus as well, then back to our train rides from there onwards.

Iringa to Makambako

Our epic journey has begun. Today we travelled by landrover the 160km South to the nearest railway station at Makambako. This town is on the central plateau of East Africa, so during the night, while we slumber here in our guest house, the train will be labouring up the escarpment to find us at around 8am tomorrow. It left Dar es Salaam mid afternoon, and will arrive in Zambia around two days later.

Today we visited our good friends Bishop Donald and Gladys Mtetemela, who are more busy now after having retired from their work in the Diocese of Ruaha. It was sad to say goodbye, but wonderful to share such deep fellowship and understanding in the Lord. We shared lots of good memories together. The present Bishop, Joseph Mgomi travelled from Dodoma this morning, and we waited in Iringa for him to arrive so as to say goodbye. A sad and profound parting.

Goodbye Kilolo

It's done, we've said our goodbyes and been back to make sure everything is OK. We're having a few days in Iringa now before the Big Start on Tuesday. I found I'd left a set of keys in one of the outside doors (!), and left a few bits and pieces that were meant to be taken, but even so, it's one more miracle that we are on schedule with packing up and getting things sorted. The mess has either been thrown away or burnt, and I feel happy that all the valuable things I've been using over the years in Tanzania have either gone to new homes, or are ready and waiting for the next occupant/s of our house. Last Sunday we had an African Barbeque with Iringa Christian Fellowship at Kibebe Farm where I have spent many happy times.

Last Wednesday Kevin handed over the computer project, and on Thursday we did the major pack in the house, so almost everything is now in one room. I taught my last Bible Knowledge lesson on Thursday as well. That was hard, and we were all crying by the end. Then we said Goodbye to the whole school as they gathered at the end of the day. The Headmaster had written a ditty for us which I found amazing, as I didn't know he was a poet, nor that he could pick up so well on where we are, and express it in words like that.

Our party in Iringa with the Admin staff of the Diocese of Ruaha on Friday was also quite moving, and full of compliments. Kevin was given a new name mkwe mlima or 'dependable son in law', and we were both given certificates for our lives and work here, beautiful cloths, plus a very large farewell card. We pray that God continues to bless all the people we love here. It's hard to part, but the time is ripe.

Teachers

We shared a meal last Thursday with our colleagues at the school. It was really to talk about how last week's graduation went so as to try to improve next year's ceremony, but we also ended up having to say goodbye to most of them.

This coming week the 'O' level exams begin, so some of the staff will be away in other schools supervising. Others will be busy invigilating our students, so we'll hardly see them. It feels quite strange to be into our last week here now, and the work we've been doing has to be continued. The hard wiring for the computer laboratory is still being completed, and may not be totally ready before we leave.

I will teach the form three students Bible Knowledge up until the last minute. There are ten eager and willing to learn. My most urgent and important prayer request is that a replacement teacher is found, to take them through to their 'O' level exams next year.

Graduation before exams

Irene took the Bible knowledge prize after completing two years of intensive study of selected texts from the Old Testament, Luke and Acts. Out of the six students I have been teaching, sadly one has dropped out just before her 'O' levels. Another needs a miracle to get him through the exams. The other four might be able to write ten essays in English during the two times two and a half hour exams, but if there's a word they haven't come across, or the meaning of the question is not clear, all the knowledge and understanding they have gained could remain unseen. Please remember all the Form Four students during the next three weeks; one week of last minute revision, and two of exams from 8th October.

Meanwhile Kevin and myself have been preparing for our epic journey South by train and then North by ship. I have been collecting things in Tanzania since 1983 when I started my checkered career here. It is exciting and daunting to be clearing up, giving lots away, trying to sell the car, and spending time with friends who we may not see again. We value your prayers for all of this, and the journey ahead.

Grandpa Time

It's time to remember him. The date is October 4, 1912. He sailed from Liverpool with the Church Missionary Society for Kenya in East Africa. He must have gone through the stormy waters around the Cape of Good Hope, and the journey probably took a couple of months, or three. I wonder whether he thought about the Titanic on his way... :(

He did arrive, and met a girl in Kenya in 1916 who became my Granny. She's in this picture (taken around 1961), on the far right, but by that time he wasn't there any more, and I don't even remember him. Their two children are in the picture; my mum and my uncle, and all their grandchildren so far. Which one am I, and who are the others? Watch this space :o)

It's exciting to be following in his footsteps - even though it's in reverse order, as we are soon to travel by train to the Cape and then take a boat to UK. After I was born, my mum told me, he held me in his arms for a long time and prayed over me. All my life he has been the closest of my grandparents; the inspiration he gave me has lead me in his absence. God has been very close; Because of him I am here.

Goodbye Bagamoyo

Bagamoyo, literally 'Throw down your heart' in the 19th century was the last place the slaves would see before they were packed into boats and transported across the Indian Ocean. Thankfully, as a result of Dr Livingstone's reports, and the efforts of many others in the 19th Century, the Slave Trade was abolished, although there is still a so called 'Modern Slave Trade' operating in many places.

Today Bagamoyo is a ramshackle town with contrasting market and small shops, newly developed buildings and the ruined reminders of a sad past. Among all these is Travellers' Lodge, a garden of paradise planted with many different species of trees, including many palms. A grassy area near the beach is where I was camping when Kevin began to get serious at the beginning of our relationship three years ago.

When he visited Tanzania for the first time in 2010, we camped there together, and since then we have spent many happy days resting and enjoying the sun, sea and sand. Now our marriage is moving out of its infancy stage, and we are on the verge of a new beginning.

Pray for us as we're back in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, and will be in Kilolo for five weeks before starting the long voyage of discovery to South Africa, then up the West coast of Africa to the Canary Islands, and on to Tilbury Docks, London.

Tim and Ana with Kevin

Last week Tim and Ana had their big day in Vancouver! Kevin is back now with me beside the Indian Ocean, after experiencing a very valuable time together with our new extended family. Ana's parents, Doug and Wendy made Kevin very welcome, and for me the saddest part was that I could not be there for this wonderful day. Tim's Mum Ingrid would have been thrilled to be there. She was sorely missed by her family.

For us, a new phase is soon to start (again) as we have only a couple of months to go before leaving Tanzania. While Kevin was away I managed to sort most of my books, so after term starts on 10th September, I will mostly be helping the 'O' level students get up to scratch for their finals in November. Of course the form III Bible Knowledge students will also be studying Luke's Gospel. Pray for all the staff and students as we start back after these holidays, in which a national census has been carried out.

The computer lab is now hard-wired for internet connection, and the national telephone company, TTCL poised to join it up with very costly wires. Pray that these do not disappear after installation, as some have been known to do. It is all a risk, as is most of life. We will take the leap of faith and leave the rest to the Almighty.

Touching the Pacific

Kevin officially arrived on the other side of the world last Saturday! This coming Thursday, Tim his son is marrying Ana in Vancouver, Canada, so he had to go. Last Monday, Doug, her father took Kevin out on Victoria Island, where he completed the experience of touching the three great Oceans the world. He didn't go for a swim as far as I know. He'll be back swimming in the Indian Ocean next week - no comparison! (in my humble opinion)

I was sad not to be able to go because of the health risk if I fly. So what will we do in order to get back to Britain at the end of the year? We plan to travel by train to Cape Town, and then board a container ship to Tilbury Docks, London in November. The port is on the North shore of the river Thames, about 25 miles downstream from London Bridge.

In October it will be 100 years since my grandfather sailed from Liverpool to Africa. He worked in Kenya until 1952, and my mother spent her early years there. As you can imagine it will be quite a pull for me leaving Africa after so many years of my own life, and many more ancestral years marked up. Pray for the packing experience which I have started now - for wisdom as to how much to keep, and what to do with the rest.

hard wiring in the lab

At last the internet connection is more than just a dream. Last Friday wafundi wawili (two technicians) arrived with all their gear and started putting blue wires all around the computer laboratory, office, and administration block in the school. We are hoping that TTCL (Tanzania Telephones) will come with a link to make the connection fairly soon, and then the work will really start; Running a teaching laboratory with internet is quite a different operation to managing one without.

Kevin had several long days of work as they got started. After the travel from Bagamoyo it was a challenge to go straight in to this, as well as baking some amazing bread and getting packed and ready to go to Canada for his son's wedding next week. He travelled from Iringa by bus yesterday and is now in Dar having a day to rest before flying tomorrow. I had a rest day catching up with friends here in Iringa yesterday. Much easier! I'm going back to Kilolo today and will be sorting through my books...

Nyaulingo

Nyaulingo has been helping us cook especially when there's been more to do recently. With five of us in the house, we decided to invite the teachers for an evening meal. Hannah, Katy and Jack did a beef roast in a pit using bricks, sticks and tin foil. Definitely to be repeated. The rice we cooked went into a mush, I think because it was this year's harvest - that's a good excuse anyway, and I tried to do too much of it (around 4kg uncooked). Nyaulingo did ginger carrots -yummy, and cabbage stir-fry, also yummy, and the others made a banana cake as a delicious finale.

Yesterday we drove to Bagamoyo via Dar to collect some luggage - a twelve hour round trip. The others did a bus trip for the final two hours and ended up on the beach before us. Amazing that the whole trip has gone so according to plan. Doesn't often happen, although recently God has been very good to us.

We're able to watch the Olympics here, and yesterday Kevin, who's son is a cyclist, walked in to the lounge room where the womens' team pursuit was on television; he unexpectedly watched them win a gold medal - came out all excited, and then told us this morning that other golds came in after that! It's good to be connected to the world here.

Ruaha Game Park

OK this image was taken in 2004 and this time around I am not going! Kevin and the Three left this morning; got through the gate at 11.30am, and I had a text just now saying they were having lunch with the hippos! All this week we've been thinking about the Game Park, and finally it's come. I just didn't feel up to yet another bumpy ride on a hot and dusty road. It is time for me to return to the UK traffic jams!

The weather here in Iringa (at the weekend) is hot, dry and dusty, and in Kilolo (midweek) it is cold, dry and dusty. I've heard that in the UK at last a bit of sun is showing. Hope it stays with you!

At work Kevin is fixing curtains in the computer laboratory, and I am giving feedback to the 'O' level students about their exams. Four of them passed out of six. Of those who failed, one simply can't keep awake in lessons, and the other hasn't been able to pay her school fees. Very sad :(

Hannah, Katy and Jack

Last Saturday my God-daughter, Hannah arrived in Dar es Salaam, together with her two friends, Katy and Jack. They have just finished their 'A' levels, and are here for a few weeks' holiday. For their first week in Africa, we have all been staying in a cottage, enjoying walking in the beautiful scrub-land, riding horses, and swimming in the Ruaha river. It's great to have another guitar player around for campfire songs! It has been COLD at night and in the river, but the sun is hot when it shines. The air is very dry.

This week we will be in Kilolo experiencing school life! Term starts again tomorrow, Monday 9th July, after a two week break, and finishes on 2nd August. This unusual timing is because there is a census in August, when all schools will be on holiday.

.....................................The Sting and the Honey..................................

I've never before seen myself as a bee keeper. Now the honey has been harvested, I wonder whether the bees will like their new home! If so, the sense of achievement will be even greater, because I made it out of off-cuts and left-overs from the house we live in. Yes, I was stung, and it took from 9pm until 3am leaving me feeling stiff and achy afterwards, but the fun of doing it was tremendous. Kevin kept out of my way (and that of the bees) apart from taking some photos, because he comes up with bites and stings, so we didn't want to risk an emergency trip to Iringa! I try not to bite him too often, but it's hard. :^)

We are now at our favourite place next to the Indian Ocean, in Bagamoyo. It's called Travellers' Lodge, and in the past I have called it 'Paradise Garden' because that is what it feels like. The palm trees and birds are beautiful, and this is where we can relax with good food and exercise.

On Saturday we'll be meeting some friends at the airport; Hannah, Katy and Jack from Devon. Hannah was my bridesmaid, and they are visiting just after their 'A' level exams. We're going to be a full house at last!

Out of Focus...

We had a visit from our mission recently, which helped us to get our lives a little more into focus. Beforehand we spent time reflecting on what has happened in the past two years since coming to Tanzania, and thinking ahead to the future. I have been surprised to find that it is Kevin who wants to stay on longer here! He is getting into the whole project and finding it fulfilling as well as demanding. As for me, I know there is plenty more to do here, especially getting the BK students through their course, but I am tired, and the physical side of life here is tough. I want to start a new life back in North Wales while I still have the energy.

After our wedding in September 2010 we spent five months preparing to come to Tanzania, volunteering at Redcliffe College and visiting our supporting churches. When we arrived, Kevin studied the language for a few weeks only, and has picked up enough to get by. While he was doing that I was trying to recover from the flight... It felt as if something was damaged inside me, and tests show that I do have 'varicous veins' (varices) around an enlarged spleen. It started more than two years ago with a liver infection of an exotic disease which has still not been diagnosed, even after many investigations! After taking treatment for amoeba I have had a lot less pain, but this all means it may not be advisable to fly again. We are planning an overland and sea return trip to the UK. We don't want to encounter pirates, so will go via the Cape.

Winter in Kilolo

This picture shows the District Heats for shot-put being held on our school playing fields, with a game of netball in the distance; part of the national games programme. It included athletics, football and volleyball as well. It was so cold that day that we stood shivering on the side of the field. Last Monday I looked at our wall thermometer and found it was 10 degrees Centigrade. During the BK class that morning I'm sure I heard someone's teeth chattering!

We have had a few visitors recently, and yesterday we were privileged to be able to welcome Ken and Dianne Phyllis to a farewell visit to the school. They worked in St Michael's from the beginning, setting up the science laboratories and getting some of the buildings up, including the computer laboratory. In the past few years they went even further into mainland Tanzania to help set up a new Diocese in the west of the country. It was great to see them, but sad because this will be their last visit before returning to Australia because of illness. Dianne has a torn ligament in her knee, among other things. We shared a lot of laughter yesterday over a dinner of meat and rice, together with friends.

Life seems to get busier. Our weekends in Iringa have been filled up with a round of visits and parties, so we seem to go back to Kilolo for a rest. Livestock also demands attention; our swarm of bees is growing, and I have constructed a hive to house them in. I'll share a photo when it's in place! We hope to get someone to come and help us move them in to their new home very soon, and (just maybe) we'll get some honey!

Special for Wrexham Prayer Week

Pictured are our School classrooms in Kilolo

Kevin's home town has timed its prayer week for when the Olympic torch goes through, and we are included. The following is what we sent to them:

St. Michael Secondary School

Many children of primary school age from the Kilolo district were being drawn away from the area to the large towns and cities where they would be given work as house-girls and house-boys. Unfortunately, people took advantage of them. This exposed them to a lifestyle that increased the risk of them being infected with HIV/AIDS.

St. Michael Secondary School was set up as a project of the Anglican Diocese of Ruaha, with the aim of providing young people with a high quality education in a supportive Christian environment. The intention is that they will be better prepared to face the challenges of the world.

Hudson Hudson Mvena was one of the first students at St. Michael Secondary School when it opened in 2005. He was very pleased to get a place at the School and it was there that he learned to read and write in English. Every day, he had to walk about 2 km to and from school. Then a hostel was opened next to the school where he and the other students could stay.

He passed his O Levels and went on to study A Levels at another school. He returned to St. Michael Secondary School in 2011 to teach science and mathematics. He hopes to study Computer Studies at university.

Computer Project Kevin manages a computer laboratory in which he has set up 20 computers. They were provided by Global Outreach, an organisation based in Iringa, who also carry out maintenance and repairs. Kevin started training the teachers in August, and a Tanzanian teacher of computer studies started teaching the students in September. (blog of 24 Sep, 2011)

Kevin's work includes strategic planning, writing proposals, setting budgets, tracking expenditure, producing reports, applying for funding, and meeting people. He is also updating software, upgrading hardware, installing additional resources and carrying out minor repairs. He assists the teachers as they make use of the computers to prepare exams and worksheets.

In April, 2012, he carried out a major development, changing over from Microsoft Windows to an open source operating system called Ubuntu, which is virus resistant and free.

Bible Knowledge Students Anne was asked to introduce Bible Knowledge to the School curriculum. So, working from the syllabus, she has had to prepare from scratch the materials and resources required. The students struggle with English; so she teaches in Swahili and they have to translate into English – which is also difficult. It was challenging at first to get the students to talk about some of the issues that they need to understand, but they have gradually gained in confidence, and now they really look forward to the lessons. She is currently preparing her Form 4 students for their mock O Level (similar to GCSE) exams in early June. (blog of 18th May, 2012)

Our House We live in a brick-built house, with a corrugated iron roof – so when it rains heavily, it is noisy! We collect our water from a rain-water tank and a stand pipe just outside our back gate. We were connected to the mains electricity in January this year (there’s a blog picture on 3rd Feb, 2012)! We cook on a wood-burner stove (blog of 14 June, 2011) and eat rice, beans, chicken, beef and tomatoes. We get fresh milk most days, separate out our own cream, bake bread, and have bananas, pineapple, melon, papaya, passion fruit, grapefruit, oranges, avocados, guavas and peaches. (blogs of 20th and 28th Jan, 2012)

Monkeys in Tanzania Way up on the side of the mountains in the rain forest beside a waterfall, live a species of monkey that is found nowhere else in the world. They are known as Sanje Crested Mangabey and were only discovered in 1979. You can climb up through the forest – with the help of the forest rangers – and see these monkeys as they swing through the trees or sit eating, watching you! (blog of 5th Jan, 2012)

Give thanks for:

 the computer laboratory, that it's up and running, and the encouragement it is to teachers and students;

 the enthusiasm of the Bible Knowledge students;

 the fulfilment and enjoyment that Kevin and Anne are experiencing;

 the commitment of the Headmaster and teachers to the School.

Pray for:

 Anne as she prepares her Bible Knowledge students for their mock O Level exams in June;

 Kevin as he plans a connection to the internet;

 Kevin and Anne in the difficulties they face living in a remote village;

 Hudson as he is hoping to gain a place at university.

Torch

Here he is. I spent the weekend in town with Kevin, locating places where we might be able to watch my Dad live on TV. It wasn't going to happen, so I have to be content with this great picture from the bbc website.

We did also have a wonderful time camping together with lots of friends beside the Little Ruaha River, which meant I had a (cold!) swim both mornings. The mist was rising over the water as it thundered over the rapids. Beautiful.

Form IV

The syllabus is finished!

We've read up to Acts 21 and left Paul in Jerusalem facing a crowd. On Monday the students brought in flowers and gave me some. They wanted me to put one in my hair and then asked for a picture - I phoned Kevin and asked him to come and take one. Here is the result! We have been doing four double periods a week, and it has paid off now. There is still a long way to go before I am confident that they will be able to answer the 'O' level questions in English, but that will be in the form of revision after the mock exams in June. Irene, sitting second from the right carried my books back to the office after a lesson and told me she wants to be a Bible Knowledge teacher! That makes it so worthwhile.

The form three students are also doing well, and we may even finish the Old Testament part of the syllabus before June when we have a break.

Kevin has been getting his drainage sorted out! Outside the computer laboratory the heavy rain sometimes used to flood the veranda, so a step has been put on the end and a beautiful looking wide 'v' shaped drain constructed by a friendly workman. Inside the lab, there have been a few technical difficulties, but identifying these and sorting them out is all part of the job.

student demo

Here in Iringa we are not immune to demonstrations. Last Friday as we drove in to town we were stuck behind a great big truck which was not moving. After peering round the edge of it I realised the reason - a line of students blocking the road next to the Post Office. I took the car into the precinct of the PO for safety, and almost immediately a pick-up arrived in the road with helmeted police so the students moved quickly on. It was not at all dangerous, but of course we felt we'd experienced a bit of drama and excitement.

At the school in Kilolo, Kevin is continuing to work on updating the computers, and also now some of the school publications. He is busy and happy. The computer teacher, Denis is also doing the job of managing the boys hostel, so please pray for him as he juggles these and other commitments.

Recently the Bible Knowledge students have been enjoying their discussions of the text - in Form III we have just looked at the call of Moses and how he went to Egypt as an adult, the first passover, Exodus, and receiving the ten commandments. We are about to enter the promised land! With form four, in Acts 13 - 16 Paul has reached Phillipi, bean beaten up and put in prison, singing away with Silas, and the doors opened through an earthquake. I love teaching these stories, and feel that this is where God wants me/us to be.

Friends

This weekend we spent time in a cottage on the nearby farm owned by our friends, where we go each week to play volleyball. We had some visitors (pictured) who became even more friendly when we offered them some milk.

Since the last post we've been back to our favourite camping spot to spend a weekend for the usual reason; dentist! I developed a crack in a filling, which was sensitive to hot drinks (it was painful drinking tea!) so we decided to do the nine hour drive and weekend at the seaside to get it fixed. It was the best ever, and a bank holiday made it even better.

Last Monday we drove all the way back from Bagamoyo to Kilolo in one day, and my middle didn't like it. I felt as if I had an inflated balloon inside, though fortunately it went down after a couple of days. The strange thing is that I am feeling a lot better on the whole, and even joining in games of touch rugby and volleyball occasionally. Kevin does his exercises daily, and is looking and feeling fit on that. The flexibility in his fingers which was bad when we left Wales seems to have improved. Is that the weather, or diet or what? Interesting question.

Thanks for your prayers for the Bible Knowledge students. On a Bank holiday they have an option of not attending lessons and the teachers have the option of not teaching. On 26th April it was 'Union Day', celebrating the joining of mainland Tanganyika with the island Zanzibar to form the Republic of Tanzania in 1962. On that day (2012!) I asked my form IV students to come as usual at 8am for a lesson, and got a full house. Also, all the form III's came except one for the second lesson. I was very encouraged, and not only that, but in the last week I have noticed that they are developing their discussion skills to the point where I feel confident they might even be able to argue a point in an essay in an exam. Pray that their English language skills are up to this demanding task!

I promise...

We are hoping that the new student leadership will be stronger this year because they have been given a good start. Pictured is the assembly where they were sworn in, and already the Head boy is taking a good lead. Pray for them, the student body, and for the teaching staff as we all adjust to each other.

Kevin has been working on the changeover to open source software in the past few weeks. He is introducing the staff and students to it. It's great advantage is that it is immune to viruses. Since the beginning of this year the computer anti virus software was not being updated because the school computers are not yet connected to the internet. This is another part of the project which Kevin is working on.

The Bible Knowledge students come and go to their lessons, and sometimes I wonder whether they are committed enough. Only the Lord knows this, and he can help them get through. Keep those prayers coming for us all as the mock exams approach (June)

Birthday Waffle

This is the first time I've made waffles in Kilolo, and they were brilliant (and I'm humble - not). Thank you to my friends who taught me how! That meant also we didn't have to make bread this week, so our energies are available for other things :o)

We came back from Bagamoyo last Friday just before Easter, after a wonderful rest beside the Indian Ocean. Very sadly, our friend Will Phillips died the same day at his home just outside Iringa, after a long struggle with cancer. His funeral on Tuesday was a celebration of his life, at his own request. Lots of tears and laughter at some of the stories we heard from his family, friends and colleagues.

Will's wife Amanda and their daughter Kerrie were devastated, and my heart is with them as they face life without him. His mother, Elizabeth is a good friend of mine, and Will's sister Sue came from the UK to be there. It was a privilege to be able to spend time together, and join with them in their grief. Sometimes words are not enough. The Spirit of God is the one who can communicate best. Certainly I have sensed His presence through all this, even to the timing of Will's death, when the wider family were already gathered.

For us life must go on, and we are glad to have purchased some rear shock absorbers in Dar es Salaam. We are looking forward to getting them fitted soon. Thankfully I am fully recovered from the flu bug after a week of daily swimming. The pain in my middle comes back every time I return to Kilolo. Is that psychological or altitude or what?

fix old with new?

The new shock absorbers arrived yesterday in Iringa, having come from Japan via Nairobi and a colleague in Morogoro. They were fitted onto our little Diahatsu today. Now the car tilts slightly up at the front (we need new rear ones as well...) and we feel as if we're travelling in a bouncey castle instead of a cart. Life is going to be much more fun. It'll cut our journey time to Kilolo (though I'll still have to control Kevin's speed ;o) and enable us to do a little more travelling than just that road.

At the school we are gearing up for mid term exams and, as a first, computer studies are included. Not just this, but even more significant is that the teachers have been using the computers to prepare their subject exams more than ever before. Kevin has been helping them, especially with the mathematics and science exams which need special symbols like x squared (a little 2 in superscript), tables and diagrams.

Last week I struggled to teach anything because of a flu bug which took me right out of service for a day. Thankfully that was the day I would normally be teaching at the Bible School, but so far this year we have no course. This opportunity for study has been a great encouragement in the past for believers in isolated villages who need to develop skills in knowledge of the Bible, leadership and even reading/writing. Please pray that the Bible School begins to run again soon, even with a three month course.

Bob, the ...

Did you know that the Kiswahili word for 'build' is 'jenga'?
I build - ninajenga,
you build - unajenga,
they build - wanajenga,
I will build - nitajenga.
That is what is happening all around us here in Tanzania, and it helps us realize we really are living in a developing nation. The Secondary School is still in the building process; we are waiting for a new library to be completed, then the books can be moved out of the science laboratory to free that up for what it was built for.

All you need are the building blocks and you can put them together to make almost anything, like, for instance, a.... language. Did you try taking the words above apart and finding which means 'I', and the present tense? But it's hard work, and old brains find it more and more difficult to learn new things.

Our friends in Iringa have built a little guest house so we can go and stay there on our weekends. In the picture you can see Kaiya and Caleb (or was it Liam - the other twin) helping move the bricks; Neroli and Kevin's role was encouragement. Give thanks to God that we have been made to feel so welcome.

New Headmaster

John Sichone is our new Headmaster at the Secondary School. He came back from retirement for this job, so is offering all his past experience in care and motivation for the staff and students. This is generating a positive atmosphere, particularly among the teachers, who appreciate his strong leadership.

During the last week Kevin taught a couple of lessons to the Form IV and I students. Normally his time is taken up with developing the computer project; upgrading computers, installing software, introducing and setting up equipment, as well as forward planning and writing reports. He found the teaching a challenge because of the students' limited understanding of English and his own limited Swahili, but he would do it again!

Since the electricity arrived in our house we have not had to spend so much time in Iringa at weekends. Being able to keep things cold in the fridge makes all the difference to planning our meals. As a result we are able to worship in the Church at Kilolo more often, and keep up with the increasing pace of study in preparation for the Bible Knowledge 'O' level mock exams in May.

chickens

This is the view from our back gate, including the beautiful flowers and inquisitive chickens. If we leave the gate open at any time we have visitors looking for scraps of food which might have fallen on the ground! To the left you might be able to make out a climbing rose. I made a network of wood for it to climb up and am ridiculously pleased with myself.

Last week was another surprise week. We had the school inspectors for a visit! Instead of being negative and critical, they tried to encourage the teachers to do better in future. Of course there were a lot of requirements we weren't fulfilling, Please pray that, against the odds, we can get the schemes of work and lesson plans completed. For me it's an uphill struggle, designing it from scratch.

On the positive, we also have our monthly tests, and the Bible Knowledge students did unexpectedly well. It is a struggle for them writing essays in English, but they were good.

think of lilies

Last week in the Form IV Bible Knowledge class we looked at the verses in Luke's Gospel where Jesus compares Solomon in all his glory with lilies. The students were asking what a lily is, then one of them said "Oh I know, are they like those flowers outside your house?"

We've been watching them come out and enjoying the show, and it seems others have been doing the same. I hadn't realised until then that we had such a good example in our garden. We also have some rust coloured chrysanthemums, an aloe, blue daisy type flowers, bright red hibiscus, a rambler rose, and scented geranium, all planted by a friend who wanted a job as a gardener when I first moved in to the house. They have taken their time to look this good, and I hope the show will be repeated again next year.

We took some of the lilies to a friend who is not doing so well. In fact he is receiving visits from his friends who want to say farewell. It is a stark reminder of how short this life is, and the beauty and enjoyment which God gives for such a short time here. He is the everlasting One, and I want to be with Him for ever.

Kilolo Hills

The hills we live in are mountains, or so we think! Above the road, this picture, taken from the hill opposite, shows St Michael's Bible School in the center left, and church towards the right, with some of the staff houses above, under the trees. St Michael's Secondary School is hidden behind the gum trees, The air is fresh and clean, though thin, because it's at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. When Kevin drinks a cup of tea, he says it doesn't seem as hot as the cuppas in Iringa. I tell him that's because water boils at a lower temperature when you're high up, and he is half convinced ;o)

Last week the Form III students started their two year 'O' level Bible Knowledge course! It is an event I have been waiting for. There was a struggle to have enough students sign up. We had two initially, but then the parents of one of them said she had to take science, so we were left with only one for BK. Because of the numbers of subjects each student can study, Science and BK are mutually exclusive as 'O' levels.

In order to try to recruit a few more, I asked one of the Form IV BK students to go in and talk to the Form III who were not doing science, and then for our first lesson, I had both Forms in together. There were 15 students, which made everyone feel better, and since then I have been told that there are nine Form III students wanting to study the BK course. Keep praying for us all, for perseverance and enthusiasm to study.

more bees, more buckets and more marmalade

This past week was a busy one. Enjoying electricity is one thing, but it also makes me 'think big' so I tend to plan more activities. We had to make more marmalade because it is sooo good, but it was on the day when everything else happened.

On that day, Kevin had a long meeting with the headmaster, which was good news for planning the development of the computer project, and I had a meeting with the academic dean and the form III students to ask them who would want to take the Bible Knowledge option. We had also invited people for lunch. It sounds easy, but they had to drive from Iringa to Kilolo and we had to cook it on the wood burner. Everything takes a whole lot longer here than in the UK, so we did have a full day last Tuesday.

In the pictures you see our bucket-basin system, and filter for drinking water which is then boiled as well. The bees are continuing to multiply. Hope we are not in danger, nor the neighbours!