pawpaw and cabbage

Here are two other items we have available almost all the year round. Peaches are seasonal, and we are making the most of them at the moment, but pawpaw (same as papaya) is an amazing fruit, used for many purposes such as eating :o) tenderising meat, helping to clean an infected spot or wound; In my earlier days as a laboratory technician we used the enzyme papain, an extract, as part of a test for the Rhesus blood group. My faith in God increases when I think how the different parts of creation are interlinked.

Last week I was gearing up to having most of the morning to prepare lessons, when the form IV 'O' level Bible Knowledge (BK) students came knocking on the door "We want a lesson, can you give us one" they said (all in Kiswahili). I couldn't refuse a request like that, especially as the period was free. Normally at that time I would have form III BK, but they have not yet started, due to the delay in their national exam results coming out, from when they were studying in form II last December. Pray that they return soon, and that there are a good number. Meanwhile I am very thankful for the extra time, because the form IV's are a little behind in the syllabus, so we'll use it to catch up a little.

peaches and cream

Almost every weekend these days we pass a certain village on the way to Kilolo and stop by the roadside. Lots of children crowd around the window of the car pushing bags of peaches in at us until we've decided which one to buy. Next day is 'peach cooking day', as well as bread baking, rice boiling, water heating, onion frying, chicken roasting, and maybe, just maybe cashew-nut cooking as well.

I forgot the milk. It comes at around seven in the morning and needs to be boiled. Before term started I was getting very enthusiastic about lighting the cooker before breakfast, then we had porridge and toast (done on the griddle) and boiled the milk, AND had hot water to wash the dishes. Now we're back to reality and need to get to school by 7.30, so unless I start at 5am it won't happen.

However, what does happen without fail each day we're in Kilolo is that we get a small bowl of thick cream off the milk after it's been boiled and cooled; Together with those peaches it's as near to heaven as we will get.

Not sure of my theology? You would not be the first to raise a question mark.

Village walk (long!)

Last Monday was Kevin's birthday, and we did a special walk together to visit a friend's family in Lulanzi, the nearest village to Kilolo. Batazari came to guide us, and we followed paths through tall Eucalyptus woods, newly planted maize, beans and potato plantations, and stretches of grassland which had some beautiful wild flowers out. We saw several schools with the students having a break on their first day back in 2012. One of them was Batazari's old school, and his sister was studying in another. His Mum cooked us a wonderful meal which gave us strength for the return journey; getting back to our house was quite a relief at around 4pm.

Our school starts back this coming week, so pray that the new headmaster, John Sichone can feel welcomed, and give a good lead to staff and students.

The electricity is still six metres away from connection to our house, and we wait and watch and wonder how long it will take. Weekends in town are still a big part of our lives, catching up with old friends, doing internet, and playing volleyball. Every second Sunday the Iringa Christian Fellowship meets, and it is wonderful to worship in English!

Udzungwa Mountains

I was too busy climbing mountains over the holiday time to do blog updates, so am now doing two in a day!

The Udzungwa mountains are something else! We stayed at a hotel at the base, and climbed each day, over a thousand feet to the waterfalls, where we swam and did some rock climbing, then on our way back down it rained in the rain forest. Whatever dry clothes we had left got wet.

So many different types of trees, and monkeys swinging from the branches. It was classic!

Christmas

Yes, we've had a good time over Christmas! Have I mentioned my family here in Tanzania - Hope and Anna and their kids? We went there to celebrate on the Day and met up with another friend, Helen, who had traveled from northern Tanzania to join them in their new home. I had decided to give away some of my books (Aaaargh), so each of the kids received either a school prize or something like that. :(

Kevin had brought some marzipan back when he visited the UK in November, so we enjoyed some of the classic flavours as well. We did end up with two cakes, one for before and one for after dinner!

That morning Kevin and myself had given thanks to God in the Cathedral church in Iringa, for our marriage. We asked that the offering could go towards roofing a village church (in Mtitu) which has recently been built, but was being washed down again in the heavy rain. I have since received a message from a happy Pastor of Mtitu, who was thankful for the gift. Pray that they get the roof on before more rains come.