Bats

For the last two weeks I've become an amateur carpenter, making a wire netting cupboard for food and putting up fly-screens in the windows. I was pleased with the result, but the local bat population were not so happy. One evening I had a batty visitor flying around, and then again at 1am, because my bedroom windows aren't screened yet, and I like fresh air; one flew in and did close shaves on my face...

When it flew through to the sitting room I got up quickly to open the front door, because it kept batting itself against the wire netting in the open window there. Even when I stood in front of the window and shone a torch in its eyes it didn't seem to take any notice ('blind', I said to myself, 'blind as a bat'). So I tried scraping my shoes on the floor. That did the trick. The bat didn't like the sound, and flew away. Next week I'll do the screens on the bedroom windows.

Back at the farm now for a rest over the weekend, I found Elizabeth had had a fall. It just caused bruising, but was a shock to everyone. She is feeling much better now, but will have to be more careful in future. This is a picture from last November at Victoria's birthday party. From the right; Margaret, mother of Joyce who is a near neighbour, Elizabeth, mother of Richard who runs the farm, and myself on the left.

Here's the famous cooker being carried towards my house. It is now in the outside kitchen covered in cement 'droppings', but will soon be clean and in its place, I hope. The day of the big Move was Saturday, and it went more smoothly than I anticipated. I was afraid things might get stolen or broken on the way, because the road from Iringa to Kilolo is very rough and there was an overnight after loading, before setting off. However in the event it was like the disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water; 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith' and then 'Peace, be still' And so I was, on Sunday, the day after the move. And now I'm in!

Bagamoyo was a good place to go! I only had two days there, but it took away all the tension that has been building up inside me especially about building! I don't like building houses, I've decided. Lots of people are helping in lots of ways, making life a lot easier, and eventually it'll get done. Meanwhile keep up those prayers, and here are a couple of pictures of the seaside just for fun.

After two or three weeks of painting walls and getting ceiling boards up, in between teaching and marking exams, I'm finished! But I like the result, with cafe olee and ivory in the sitting room and light olive in the corridor. I mixed the paints, and made up the names as I went along, so now just need a rest from it! I am going to Bagamoyo for a relaxing three days on the beach. Sun and sand here I come!

The cooker arrived but wouldn't go through the door, (better than getting stuck in it like a great hippopotomus, I guess) so it will have to go in an outside kitchen. That floor needs concreting first and plaster put on the walls, so yet another delay... that's life here. Full of delays and disappointments, but the end result, if you survive, is very satisfying.

Elizabeth came back from South Africa happy and relaxed, but glad to be back. Her son Will received the 'all-clear' on his cancer, so he and Amanda can relax until the next check up in six months' time.

...and the river... is up like a raging torrent after the rains started, so my swims have had to be curtailed, hence the attraction of Bagamoyo. Bye bye for now

Exam prep

This week the secondary students are doing exams, whereas the Bible school are doing revision, with exams next week. I've helped them all I can, and prayed for them in the class - something appreciated, as there is a lot of apprehension. No one likes examz! (oops) Pictured is the shortest student in the school winning the prize for being best in his class during graduation, a while ago. Bishop Donald is giving it to him, with Headmaster Mgeni in the foreground.

I am hoping to be able to go to Dar es Salaam sometime during the break over Christmas, as it is the first opportunity I've had to get away since arriving in March. I need to get a tooth repaired and feel like a shopping spree! Look out shops... Today again I went for some exercise in the Little Ruaha river. Its quite cold, so unlikely to get dangerous animals, though we have seen hippo poo on the bank. Never seen the animal himself/herself.

My weekend swim

This is the famous river, and though I look as if it's going to wash me away, I'm securely sitting on a rock. My good friends who live near the river welcomed me again, and today we went there for a bit of fun and a swim. I feel so much better for it, and able to face the weekly travel and teaching in Kilolo! I am very blessed with so many good friends around. Elizabeth, who I usually stay with has gone with her son Will and his wife Amanda to South Africa to get a check-up on his leg. He had a partial amputation after being diagnosed with cancer. He still walks around and sometimes kicks it off by mistake!

House preparations

On Friday I ordered a cooker for the house I'll live in in Kilolo. It is an enclosed wood burner with a cast iron plate for cooking, and an oven. Like an Aga I suppose, but more elementary! I am looking forward to getting it installed in around three weeks when it is ready. I just have to get ceiling boards up, wiring done and the plumbing, then I should be ready to move. Not putting any dates on it because it may take ages still, as everything does here.

I've had another wonderful weekend on Kibebe Farm. Elizabeth had her daughter and husband staying with her from the UK, so I was with her son Richard and Victoria and their family, just next door. They have made me feel part of their family, and it is such a good experience.