It was very pleasant traveling in Malawi on this trip, thanks in part to Katie and Jarrod Schafer. They were finishing up a 5 month, first-time, trip to Malawi and asked if we wanted to buy the car they had used. Jarrod knows a lot about these things and really found a great deal on a car while they were there. We jumped at the chance to buy it, used it while we were there, and then donated it to the Namikango Mission and Maternity Clinic in Thondwe when we got ready to return to the states. Mark Thiesen, at the Mission, has consented for us to use the car when we are in country in the future so it is a win-win situation for everyone.
The contact with Katie started when she was 17-years-old and wrote to us to learn about Malawi for a school Project. That interest and communication continued through the years and this year, at 25 Katie was able to fulfill her dream of going to Malawi.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Back in the States
We are now back in the states and trying to recover from the jet lag that always travels with us on every trip. It's always worse traveling from east to west than it is going from west to east. Wonder why that is? Too, the reentry is really hard as we come into a culture filled with affluence and stuff after leaving one that has so little. Our culture seems to get uptight over such insignificant things while in Malawi they struggle just to survive for another day.
That plane flight over and back was a bit difficult with all of the rough weather. It seems that is characteristic of this time of year. Winter beginning in the northern hemisphere and summer beginning in the south and it clashes in the middle, right where our plane travels. It doesn't help that it is a 16-hour flight across the ocean either. How can a plane hold that much fuel? And how low is it when it reaches Atlanta? And how far can one swim if we were to run out of fuel?
Now it is immediately get accustomed to driving on the other side of the road. Now that is a quick shift and it leaves little room for change and adjustment. Too we have gone, in one day, from 100 degrees down to 45. Wow! quick shift. Now where did I pack that jacket.
Home, are at least, home in Indiana. We seem to live in two different worlds. Two different homes. And when we are in one we miss the other. And when we are in the other we miss the one. Always missing one or the other.
Wow. No bugs. No mosquitoes. Electricity stayed on until I turned off the switch. Telephone worked every time I picked it up. Makes you want to sneek up on it several time and pick it up just to hear the dialtone. And the computer, well you can't imagine how nice broadband is in the states. It works! No potholes on the interstate. Interstates, WOW. Interesting there are so few people walking along the sides of the road. And no one has buckets, baskets and barrels on their heads. Interesting. This western side of the world. Too many cars. Too many signs. Too much noise. Too little personal contact. Too much...
Must go to the supermarket shortly and get some things. But that first trip is always so hard. Suzi usually does not go for several weeks. She leaves it to me. She'll break down and cry every time. Makes me wonder if the grocer doesn't think I'm a pretty abusive husband. Others must wonder if she wanted to buy a snack and her cruel husband refused. She just stands in the middle of the isle crying. They just don't know she is crying for all of the children in Malawi who have so litt.e to eat. And the old, the widows and all of her Malawi neighbors. Big tears, every time. The cereal isle alone is bigger than an entire Malawi grocery, and our culture buys more in the snack food section than most Malawians eat for an entire day. It's a tough lesson to swallow (no pun intended) when we see how much we have and how little they have.
Next blog we will take a look back at some of the highlights of the trip to Malawi in a shortened form, then will begin our travel schedule around the U.S. to report on the progress for 2009 and plans for 2010.
That plane flight over and back was a bit difficult with all of the rough weather. It seems that is characteristic of this time of year. Winter beginning in the northern hemisphere and summer beginning in the south and it clashes in the middle, right where our plane travels. It doesn't help that it is a 16-hour flight across the ocean either. How can a plane hold that much fuel? And how low is it when it reaches Atlanta? And how far can one swim if we were to run out of fuel?
Now it is immediately get accustomed to driving on the other side of the road. Now that is a quick shift and it leaves little room for change and adjustment. Too we have gone, in one day, from 100 degrees down to 45. Wow! quick shift. Now where did I pack that jacket.
Home, are at least, home in Indiana. We seem to live in two different worlds. Two different homes. And when we are in one we miss the other. And when we are in the other we miss the one. Always missing one or the other.
Wow. No bugs. No mosquitoes. Electricity stayed on until I turned off the switch. Telephone worked every time I picked it up. Makes you want to sneek up on it several time and pick it up just to hear the dialtone. And the computer, well you can't imagine how nice broadband is in the states. It works! No potholes on the interstate. Interstates, WOW. Interesting there are so few people walking along the sides of the road. And no one has buckets, baskets and barrels on their heads. Interesting. This western side of the world. Too many cars. Too many signs. Too much noise. Too little personal contact. Too much...
Must go to the supermarket shortly and get some things. But that first trip is always so hard. Suzi usually does not go for several weeks. She leaves it to me. She'll break down and cry every time. Makes me wonder if the grocer doesn't think I'm a pretty abusive husband. Others must wonder if she wanted to buy a snack and her cruel husband refused. She just stands in the middle of the isle crying. They just don't know she is crying for all of the children in Malawi who have so litt.e to eat. And the old, the widows and all of her Malawi neighbors. Big tears, every time. The cereal isle alone is bigger than an entire Malawi grocery, and our culture buys more in the snack food section than most Malawians eat for an entire day. It's a tough lesson to swallow (no pun intended) when we see how much we have and how little they have.
Next blog we will take a look back at some of the highlights of the trip to Malawi in a shortened form, then will begin our travel schedule around the U.S. to report on the progress for 2009 and plans for 2010.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Lilongwe to Thondwe
Thursday and Friday November 19 and 20, 2009
On Thursday and Friday we were in Lilongwe obtaining reports, having meetings, and dealing with planning sessions. Met with a number of friends and caught up on what has taken place in the country since our absence. Picked up a very nice letter from the Vice President’s office and met with program directors for programs we are helping to support.
On Friday around 11 we left for the south, and the Namikango Mission. We’ll be there overnight and leave around 5:15 AM for the airport and the beginning of that long, long flight back to Indiana.
On Thursday and Friday we were in Lilongwe obtaining reports, having meetings, and dealing with planning sessions. Met with a number of friends and caught up on what has taken place in the country since our absence. Picked up a very nice letter from the Vice President’s office and met with program directors for programs we are helping to support.
On Friday around 11 we left for the south, and the Namikango Mission. We’ll be there overnight and leave around 5:15 AM for the airport and the beginning of that long, long flight back to Indiana.
Dedza to Lilongwe
Wednesday November 18, 2009
I’m up at 6 AM. Suzi plans to follow in a short time, probably around 6:48 or 49 since breakfast is planned for 7.
Promptly at 8 AM the three men from the farm appear outside the door in order to go over the tractor and the two BUV units delivered here last year.
First problem is a hanging tail light assembly on one of the BUV’s. Wow! Am I excited. I can do this. I’m a certified V-Tractor/BUV mechanic. Better go back and take out the word “certified”. In fact, maybe you want to also take out “mechanic”.
Can someone get me a screwdriver and we’ll just pop the cover off so we can put in a new bolt and nut and successfully wrap up the first project? What? No screwdriver. And no other tools. Now what do we do? As usual I wait for a time and a Malawians usually comes up with the solution. True to the past one of the man has run to get a nail that has been flattened and with it we are able to pop the cover, and get inside to put in a new bolt that will hold the box properly in place. Wow! Great. That one only took about 45 minutes. What’s next? I think I wish I had not answered that question. They can’t get the V-Tractor started. The battery is dead. And besides the main man that was trained last year has left and a new driver/mechanic is on the job and he would like for me to go through everything that was taught the year before. Now let me say candidly. For a few minutes I wondered what I was doing here! And I knew in a few minutes they would wonder as well. Trying to stall for time (maybe nightfall will interrupt us and rescue me in time), I suggest they get the battery charged while I go over and see the land for the international school with Mama Kadzamira. Wow, out of that one for a time. Now if the rains will just come before we get back.
We lave around noon to see the 150 acres the tribal chief has donated for the school complex. It is breathtaking, and almost beyond imagination. Our guide, near the bottom of the land, points to where we are going. You’ve got to be kidding. He wasn’t. And he heads out like he is a Kenyan runner in a New York race. I’m afraid he’ll disappear from sight and I’ll wonder around in the wilderness until the construction crews finds my skeleton later in the year sitting under a tree looking out over the beauty of this place. It’s a dream come true for sure and I can just imagine all of the buildings scattered around the landscape where students come from all parts to learn.
When we reach a place just a little way below a large granite outcropping of rock near the top the guide stops. Looking across the valleys and mountains that stretch toward the horizon I have a hard time holding back the tears. Then he says, “The next time you come we will climb to the top through those rocks.” Now I’m really having a hard time holding back the tears, but for a different reason.
Retuning to the village near the bottom of the mountain we stop to visit with the tribal chief who donated the land. She is 82 year old Pochema Nkutie, and she has been a chief for 31 years. I’m going to prepare a story for the Malawi Project web site about her. She was so gentle and kind, and appreciative of what I described was coming to her mountain. She said so many people come and make promises, but no one returns to do what they have promised. She is pleased to learn that the promises that have been made to her about this program will come to pass.
Then Mama and I return to the house and have lunch with Suzi and Mary, or is it dinner? After all it’s about 3:30 in the afternoon.
Now you probably remember those guys with the V-Tractor, the rains, and nightfall. Well, the last two events have not come to pass so I’m on the way outside around 4 to resolve this problem. The first thing I suggest is that we send the mechanic to Cool Runnings and have him trained by the mechanic Tom trained the day before. Great idea. Everyone agrees. Took care of that problem, don’t you think?. Next? The batteries have not yet been taken to “that place over there” to have them charged. Well, that sort of solves that problem as well. Don’t you like the way I do problem solving? I offer to stop by on Friday morning and take the tractor for a little demonstration spin if they will get the batteries charged. Everyone is happy with the results. Not sure Tom will give me a passing grade for this training session. I think when I return to the states I will throw myself on his mercy and plead for additional training on the tractor before I come back to Malawi next year.
At around 7:30 we leave for Lilongwe (yes, it’s dark), and arrive with Mama on the north-side of the city around 9. Remember that question as to whether 3:30 was lunch or dinner? It is now answered about 10:15 when we sit down for a very large dinner. Last bite eaten and we are off to bed by 11. We now have electricity, water and phone service. We’re in paradise.
I’m up at 6 AM. Suzi plans to follow in a short time, probably around 6:48 or 49 since breakfast is planned for 7.
Promptly at 8 AM the three men from the farm appear outside the door in order to go over the tractor and the two BUV units delivered here last year.
First problem is a hanging tail light assembly on one of the BUV’s. Wow! Am I excited. I can do this. I’m a certified V-Tractor/BUV mechanic. Better go back and take out the word “certified”. In fact, maybe you want to also take out “mechanic”.
Can someone get me a screwdriver and we’ll just pop the cover off so we can put in a new bolt and nut and successfully wrap up the first project? What? No screwdriver. And no other tools. Now what do we do? As usual I wait for a time and a Malawians usually comes up with the solution. True to the past one of the man has run to get a nail that has been flattened and with it we are able to pop the cover, and get inside to put in a new bolt that will hold the box properly in place. Wow! Great. That one only took about 45 minutes. What’s next? I think I wish I had not answered that question. They can’t get the V-Tractor started. The battery is dead. And besides the main man that was trained last year has left and a new driver/mechanic is on the job and he would like for me to go through everything that was taught the year before. Now let me say candidly. For a few minutes I wondered what I was doing here! And I knew in a few minutes they would wonder as well. Trying to stall for time (maybe nightfall will interrupt us and rescue me in time), I suggest they get the battery charged while I go over and see the land for the international school with Mama Kadzamira. Wow, out of that one for a time. Now if the rains will just come before we get back.
We lave around noon to see the 150 acres the tribal chief has donated for the school complex. It is breathtaking, and almost beyond imagination. Our guide, near the bottom of the land, points to where we are going. You’ve got to be kidding. He wasn’t. And he heads out like he is a Kenyan runner in a New York race. I’m afraid he’ll disappear from sight and I’ll wonder around in the wilderness until the construction crews finds my skeleton later in the year sitting under a tree looking out over the beauty of this place. It’s a dream come true for sure and I can just imagine all of the buildings scattered around the landscape where students come from all parts to learn.
When we reach a place just a little way below a large granite outcropping of rock near the top the guide stops. Looking across the valleys and mountains that stretch toward the horizon I have a hard time holding back the tears. Then he says, “The next time you come we will climb to the top through those rocks.” Now I’m really having a hard time holding back the tears, but for a different reason.
Retuning to the village near the bottom of the mountain we stop to visit with the tribal chief who donated the land. She is 82 year old Pochema Nkutie, and she has been a chief for 31 years. I’m going to prepare a story for the Malawi Project web site about her. She was so gentle and kind, and appreciative of what I described was coming to her mountain. She said so many people come and make promises, but no one returns to do what they have promised. She is pleased to learn that the promises that have been made to her about this program will come to pass.
Then Mama and I return to the house and have lunch with Suzi and Mary, or is it dinner? After all it’s about 3:30 in the afternoon.
Now you probably remember those guys with the V-Tractor, the rains, and nightfall. Well, the last two events have not come to pass so I’m on the way outside around 4 to resolve this problem. The first thing I suggest is that we send the mechanic to Cool Runnings and have him trained by the mechanic Tom trained the day before. Great idea. Everyone agrees. Took care of that problem, don’t you think?. Next? The batteries have not yet been taken to “that place over there” to have them charged. Well, that sort of solves that problem as well. Don’t you like the way I do problem solving? I offer to stop by on Friday morning and take the tractor for a little demonstration spin if they will get the batteries charged. Everyone is happy with the results. Not sure Tom will give me a passing grade for this training session. I think when I return to the states I will throw myself on his mercy and plead for additional training on the tractor before I come back to Malawi next year.
At around 7:30 we leave for Lilongwe (yes, it’s dark), and arrive with Mama on the north-side of the city around 9. Remember that question as to whether 3:30 was lunch or dinner? It is now answered about 10:15 when we sit down for a very large dinner. Last bite eaten and we are off to bed by 11. We now have electricity, water and phone service. We’re in paradise.
Lilongwe to Senga Bay to Lilongwe to Dedza
Tuesday November 17, 2009
I’m up at 4 AM. After all it’s not every day you get the chance to introduce the Vice President of a nation to the new V-Tractor. Come to think of it this is the first and only time I have ever done this! I’m ready to have breakfast and get on the road. Only problem is that no one else gets up until 5. Now that seems like a 20-hour wait for the next 45 minutes. I think I ate the entire breakfast in three short gulps. Sort of too bad because the B & B looks to be a really great place to spend a little time and we have just popped in and out like popcorn popping on a hot burner.
I’m pressing the car for all we can do as we get out of town (within the speed limit I assure you). We really have to push it because I’ve watched these caravans of government officials pass us along the road. I can assure you I would not be able to keep up. But on second thought it would be nice to be placed somewhere in the middle and ride along dreaming, would it not? About an hour into the trip we learn the V.P. is slightly late getting away from Lilongwe but they are headed our way and coming fast. We reach Senga Bay in another 20 minutes and check to make sure everyone is ready, then we go back to the turn off from the main road in order to insure the caravan only has to make one pass to find the right roads that wander back through the village. In moments we hear the sirens indicating they are just near. Wow! It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes. It must have only taken them 45 or 50 minutes. How in the world did they do that without getting a speeding ticket?
The Vice President and entourage view the tractor as Tom describes its capabilities. They are obviously impressed, and appear to linger much longer than I expected knowing how far they must travel today and the number of things they must do.
Around 9:30 they are away and we sit down to a second breakfast. The night before Tom had contacted us to advise us of the death of a close friend in the U.S. and that the plans for the morning would have to change so he could catch the next flight out to the U.S. After breakfast we turn back to Lilongwe and airport to see Tom off. While at the airport we run across an old friend and church elder and have lunch with him. Since our earlier plan called for us to be in Dedza by noon, we are already so late we probably won’t make it before dark. Suzi has been trying all morning to reach Mama Kadzamira, who we know is waiting for us, but no luck. Apparently the phone company has trained the electric people. No service. We head back to the B & B to pick up our luggage, stop to drop off a microscope to a doctor in the capital, then on to Dedza. When we arrive there the electric company has given instructions to the water company as well as the phone company. Let’s add it up. There is no water, no phone service, and then the electricity goes out for a time. Now the really nice thing about that is there is nothing else that can go out. Oh don’t you believe that one, as we will find out in the morning.
Three of the farm workers come to discuss the V-Tractor and the plans for the next morning. Oh, my! Tom is gone and as I look around me there seems to be no one to try to answer their questions except me. I need a good nights rest.
Mama is kind and gracious as always and very quickly we relax. When we are with her she reflects such a calming influence, no matter how much chaos is swirling around us, that I conclude the questions with the V-Tractor are nothing to be worry about. Perhaps I may be a bit too optimistic.
All of us are a bit exhausted so it is early to bed. Since Dedza District is on a much higher elevation the temperature here is much cooler. We sleep much better. I’m not even worried that I have the V-Tractor questions in the morning.
I’m up at 4 AM. After all it’s not every day you get the chance to introduce the Vice President of a nation to the new V-Tractor. Come to think of it this is the first and only time I have ever done this! I’m ready to have breakfast and get on the road. Only problem is that no one else gets up until 5. Now that seems like a 20-hour wait for the next 45 minutes. I think I ate the entire breakfast in three short gulps. Sort of too bad because the B & B looks to be a really great place to spend a little time and we have just popped in and out like popcorn popping on a hot burner.
I’m pressing the car for all we can do as we get out of town (within the speed limit I assure you). We really have to push it because I’ve watched these caravans of government officials pass us along the road. I can assure you I would not be able to keep up. But on second thought it would be nice to be placed somewhere in the middle and ride along dreaming, would it not? About an hour into the trip we learn the V.P. is slightly late getting away from Lilongwe but they are headed our way and coming fast. We reach Senga Bay in another 20 minutes and check to make sure everyone is ready, then we go back to the turn off from the main road in order to insure the caravan only has to make one pass to find the right roads that wander back through the village. In moments we hear the sirens indicating they are just near. Wow! It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes. It must have only taken them 45 or 50 minutes. How in the world did they do that without getting a speeding ticket?
The Vice President and entourage view the tractor as Tom describes its capabilities. They are obviously impressed, and appear to linger much longer than I expected knowing how far they must travel today and the number of things they must do.
Around 9:30 they are away and we sit down to a second breakfast. The night before Tom had contacted us to advise us of the death of a close friend in the U.S. and that the plans for the morning would have to change so he could catch the next flight out to the U.S. After breakfast we turn back to Lilongwe and airport to see Tom off. While at the airport we run across an old friend and church elder and have lunch with him. Since our earlier plan called for us to be in Dedza by noon, we are already so late we probably won’t make it before dark. Suzi has been trying all morning to reach Mama Kadzamira, who we know is waiting for us, but no luck. Apparently the phone company has trained the electric people. No service. We head back to the B & B to pick up our luggage, stop to drop off a microscope to a doctor in the capital, then on to Dedza. When we arrive there the electric company has given instructions to the water company as well as the phone company. Let’s add it up. There is no water, no phone service, and then the electricity goes out for a time. Now the really nice thing about that is there is nothing else that can go out. Oh don’t you believe that one, as we will find out in the morning.
Three of the farm workers come to discuss the V-Tractor and the plans for the next morning. Oh, my! Tom is gone and as I look around me there seems to be no one to try to answer their questions except me. I need a good nights rest.
Mama is kind and gracious as always and very quickly we relax. When we are with her she reflects such a calming influence, no matter how much chaos is swirling around us, that I conclude the questions with the V-Tractor are nothing to be worry about. Perhaps I may be a bit too optimistic.
All of us are a bit exhausted so it is early to bed. Since Dedza District is on a much higher elevation the temperature here is much cooler. We sleep much better. I’m not even worried that I have the V-Tractor questions in the morning.
Senga Bay to Lilongwe
Monday November 16, 2009
I was up at 4:45 AM; Suzi quickly followed me nearly 3 hours later! Yes, that is pretty early, but when I went outside I was faced with a matchless sunrise. For nearly an hour I watched the fishing boats come in from night fishing. Since the fishing villages are next to Cool Runnings we get a close up view of the boats coming in. I never tire of watching them. They work so very hard, especially when the surf is high, yet they continue on and on until they succeed. Sort of a commentary view of the state of the nation as a whole.
Around 7 AM Tom, Suzi and I had breakfast, great meal as always. This is one of our favorite places in all of Malawi to eat. After the meal, a pot of tea, and morning planning with Samantha, Tom started the training session on the newest V-Tractor that arrived in the country one week earlier. By around noon the sun had become unmerciful, and the heat was so oppressive even most Malawians headed for shelter. We were the only ones outside. Finally exhaustion drove us inside for an hour to deal with the headaches that accompanied the high temperature.
Around 2, still far too hot to be outside, but by necessity of schedule, we head to the farm of Chief Mdalakwanda who is the tribal authority over the villages that surround Cool Runnings. He has 13,000 people for whom he watches over and this is not our first meeting. He is gracious and very excited with the tractor that will help him provide for his people. The location is close enough to Cool Runnings that one of the men trained during the morning session drives the V-Tractor through the villages, while we go on ahead to be ready when he arrives. As he rounds the last curve we can see a large number of children excitedly running on both sides of the tractor. Sort of like a Presidential caravan and admiring fans and admirers running along to get a closer look at, and be seen, near the President.
Around 3 in the afternoon we quickly pack up and leave for Lilongwe where we have evening dinner plans. Tom will remain behind and we’ll make the trip back to Senga Bay the next morning to pick him up, and go down to Dedza to conduct a refresher course for the men who were trained on an earlier V-Tractor last year. But first, it is necessary to stop in Salima to get a new tire to replace the one that is tread bare naked.
The men at the tire store are efficient and quick and after relieving me of about $150.00 for the tire we are on the way across the 117-kilometer trek to the capital. Tarmac all the way so the travel is easy, although the heat gage is still struggling with trying to complete with the temperature outside and we find it necessary to leave the air-conditioning off.
By 5 we check in to a very nice bed and breakfast and start making preparations for the evening with the Vice President of Malawi. But suddenly, the electricity goes off. That seems to follow us everywhere we go this year, and seems a bit worse than in years past. Now the term “a bit” has a hard time defining trying to find everything you need in 6 pieces of luggage that have been packed and repacked numerous times since arriving in the country. By the time I find my toothbrush I am so exhausted I am thinking about taking a nap. Now where did I put my tie? And Suzi is having the same problem in the dark. “No, Suzi, I haven’t seen it. Are you sure we packed it?” But finally, with a little candle light from the folks who own the B & B, we’re on the way to see the Vice President promptly at 7:30.
The evening could not have been more pleasant. We were acquainted with the Rt Honorable Joyce Banda well before she reached this high level in government, and her and Suzi had worked together on other projects in the past. Tonight she is very gracious and immediately puts us at ease and on a first name basis. This allows us to relax and enjoy the evening without trying to remember all of the proper protocol that goes with the position. We discuss the present programs of the Malawi Project, including the new international school that will be coming to Malawi, as well as various other needs of the country. Then around 9 we move to the main dinning room for the evening meal. There is so much good food you do not want me to try to list it all. It is just too good! Two of her daughters join us for the meal and they are just delightful and very pleasant.
All too soon time passes and the evening is late. But our time together is far from being complete. Earlier in the evening we discussed the new V-Tractors. The Vice President is quite impressed and upon learning that one of the units is in Senga Bay she decides to change her plans for the following morning and meet us there to meet Tom and see the unit.
We head back to the B & B quite excited (now the word “excited” does not quite describe how we were feeling but for lack of finding words that are hard to find, we’ll just say “excited”. The owner is still up and we advise her that we will have to settle up tonight since we will have to leave no later than 5:30 in the morning. She surprises us by saying that she will be up by 5 and will have breakfast ready in time for us to eat before we leave. Neat. We turn in about 11:00, or maybe it’s 12:00. Actually not sure what time it is!
I was up at 4:45 AM; Suzi quickly followed me nearly 3 hours later! Yes, that is pretty early, but when I went outside I was faced with a matchless sunrise. For nearly an hour I watched the fishing boats come in from night fishing. Since the fishing villages are next to Cool Runnings we get a close up view of the boats coming in. I never tire of watching them. They work so very hard, especially when the surf is high, yet they continue on and on until they succeed. Sort of a commentary view of the state of the nation as a whole.
Around 7 AM Tom, Suzi and I had breakfast, great meal as always. This is one of our favorite places in all of Malawi to eat. After the meal, a pot of tea, and morning planning with Samantha, Tom started the training session on the newest V-Tractor that arrived in the country one week earlier. By around noon the sun had become unmerciful, and the heat was so oppressive even most Malawians headed for shelter. We were the only ones outside. Finally exhaustion drove us inside for an hour to deal with the headaches that accompanied the high temperature.
Around 2, still far too hot to be outside, but by necessity of schedule, we head to the farm of Chief Mdalakwanda who is the tribal authority over the villages that surround Cool Runnings. He has 13,000 people for whom he watches over and this is not our first meeting. He is gracious and very excited with the tractor that will help him provide for his people. The location is close enough to Cool Runnings that one of the men trained during the morning session drives the V-Tractor through the villages, while we go on ahead to be ready when he arrives. As he rounds the last curve we can see a large number of children excitedly running on both sides of the tractor. Sort of like a Presidential caravan and admiring fans and admirers running along to get a closer look at, and be seen, near the President.
Around 3 in the afternoon we quickly pack up and leave for Lilongwe where we have evening dinner plans. Tom will remain behind and we’ll make the trip back to Senga Bay the next morning to pick him up, and go down to Dedza to conduct a refresher course for the men who were trained on an earlier V-Tractor last year. But first, it is necessary to stop in Salima to get a new tire to replace the one that is tread bare naked.
The men at the tire store are efficient and quick and after relieving me of about $150.00 for the tire we are on the way across the 117-kilometer trek to the capital. Tarmac all the way so the travel is easy, although the heat gage is still struggling with trying to complete with the temperature outside and we find it necessary to leave the air-conditioning off.
By 5 we check in to a very nice bed and breakfast and start making preparations for the evening with the Vice President of Malawi. But suddenly, the electricity goes off. That seems to follow us everywhere we go this year, and seems a bit worse than in years past. Now the term “a bit” has a hard time defining trying to find everything you need in 6 pieces of luggage that have been packed and repacked numerous times since arriving in the country. By the time I find my toothbrush I am so exhausted I am thinking about taking a nap. Now where did I put my tie? And Suzi is having the same problem in the dark. “No, Suzi, I haven’t seen it. Are you sure we packed it?” But finally, with a little candle light from the folks who own the B & B, we’re on the way to see the Vice President promptly at 7:30.
The evening could not have been more pleasant. We were acquainted with the Rt Honorable Joyce Banda well before she reached this high level in government, and her and Suzi had worked together on other projects in the past. Tonight she is very gracious and immediately puts us at ease and on a first name basis. This allows us to relax and enjoy the evening without trying to remember all of the proper protocol that goes with the position. We discuss the present programs of the Malawi Project, including the new international school that will be coming to Malawi, as well as various other needs of the country. Then around 9 we move to the main dinning room for the evening meal. There is so much good food you do not want me to try to list it all. It is just too good! Two of her daughters join us for the meal and they are just delightful and very pleasant.
All too soon time passes and the evening is late. But our time together is far from being complete. Earlier in the evening we discussed the new V-Tractors. The Vice President is quite impressed and upon learning that one of the units is in Senga Bay she decides to change her plans for the following morning and meet us there to meet Tom and see the unit.
We head back to the B & B quite excited (now the word “excited” does not quite describe how we were feeling but for lack of finding words that are hard to find, we’ll just say “excited”. The owner is still up and we advise her that we will have to settle up tonight since we will have to leave no later than 5:30 in the morning. She surprises us by saying that she will be up by 5 and will have breakfast ready in time for us to eat before we leave. Neat. We turn in about 11:00, or maybe it’s 12:00. Actually not sure what time it is!
Thondwe to Senga Bay
Sunday November 15, 2009
Attended church services in Thondwe. As is the case they asked me to preach. And true to form the request was made 12 minutes before services. Not sure why they gave me so much advance warning. But I caught them this time. I was ready. Gave a lesson on “Staying on Focus”. Just minutes after the services let out the truck arrived to pack up the V-Tractor and head out for Senga Bay, about 5 hours northeast of Thondwe. Leaving about 10:30 we followed the truck until we passed the most serious police checkpoint in the southern part of the county, the one at Balaka. Somehow we missed the only turn that would take us up directly to Salima, but found ourselves still on M-1 toward Lilongwe. I realized the problem before Suzi or Tom. I decided to make a plan. Let’s see, “Hey guys, I have us going up M-1 toward Dedza. I’m planning to turn off a little way south of town and go down that beautiful new road that will give Tom such a great view of the mountains around Dedza.” They accepted that. My secret was safe. Suzi was in the back seat and I think she “pretended” to accept it. I felt guilty and finally decided to confess that we had missed the only turn. I knew if I did not confess we would pass a road sign for Dedza soon, and the jig would be up. I laid out my case: Taking this route is just a little off the route, but it will be nice because Tom has never seen this part of Malawi. She said, “I know.” She said it in a way that I knew she knew. The jig is up. I’ve been caught again. But ladies I did have a map. Besides there was no one to stop and ask directions since most Malawians in the village areas have never traveled more than 20 kilometers away from their homes in their entire lives. So there!
The Heat is Eating Away
The temperature was running around 100 degrees and most Malawians had been wise enough to go hide inside their homes. Climbing through the mountains our car quickly overheats and we have to roll down the windows, and breath in the nice, fresh, “hot” air. We’re drained by the time we reach the turn south of Dedza and start down the mountain. It is true that the scenery is beautiful and Tom gets some great pictures. Sure was worth going partly out of our way to show him that, don’t you think?
Finally we’re at the bottom and heading north fast. It is quite obvious that we were at a very low elevation and it is very, very hot, here in the lower Rift Valley. Wow, sure wish we would get there. Still 50 kilometers. Then suddenly, Bam! Bam! Bam! A rear tire loses its tread, and with every turn of the wheel the loose, flapping tread hits the back fender. Quickly we are out of the car, in lightening speed we unload the luggage, dig down and find the spare, and in the twinkling of an eye we have the tire changed. I’ll tell you I was soaking wet with sweat when we got back in the car. It sure was an exhausting job watching Tom change that tire. So much for treating a guest with great hospitality.
We arrive at the Military Barracks in Senga Bay around 4. That is where we unload the V-Tractor. They are having a soccer game and for a moment I have a tinge of concern the match might stop and everyone come to see the breathtaking, innovative, new and improved V-Tractor. But, shades of truth, they love soccer even more than they love the V-Tractor. Now, I know you find that hard to believe, but believe me they really like their soccer. Tom rode the tractor the last kilometer to Cool Runnings. Everyone along the way stops to see the American Rock Star go by on his new fangled contraption.
Before dinner we go to see the completed Senga Bay Library. Remember, that is the one the Malawi Project helped fund this past year. Well, it looks great. It’s the biggest library in that part of Malawi, and will serve the public in a great way. All around the room is the evidence of the recent visit of Kate and Jarrod Shafter. She got interested in Malawi when she was a teen-ager, and that interest has continued through high school, college, and now into marriage. Her and her husband just returned to the states after spending six months in Malawi. They put a lot of work into painting murals on the walls of the library, and building the shelving for the books. Great job guys. It looks really good.
We head back to Cool Runnings for a great evening meal and overnight stay. Tomorrow morning will be the start of V-Tractor training in the village.
The heat is so oppressive we can hardly sleep. Can’t imagine what it must be like in the village areas. Restless night.
Attended church services in Thondwe. As is the case they asked me to preach. And true to form the request was made 12 minutes before services. Not sure why they gave me so much advance warning. But I caught them this time. I was ready. Gave a lesson on “Staying on Focus”. Just minutes after the services let out the truck arrived to pack up the V-Tractor and head out for Senga Bay, about 5 hours northeast of Thondwe. Leaving about 10:30 we followed the truck until we passed the most serious police checkpoint in the southern part of the county, the one at Balaka. Somehow we missed the only turn that would take us up directly to Salima, but found ourselves still on M-1 toward Lilongwe. I realized the problem before Suzi or Tom. I decided to make a plan. Let’s see, “Hey guys, I have us going up M-1 toward Dedza. I’m planning to turn off a little way south of town and go down that beautiful new road that will give Tom such a great view of the mountains around Dedza.” They accepted that. My secret was safe. Suzi was in the back seat and I think she “pretended” to accept it. I felt guilty and finally decided to confess that we had missed the only turn. I knew if I did not confess we would pass a road sign for Dedza soon, and the jig would be up. I laid out my case: Taking this route is just a little off the route, but it will be nice because Tom has never seen this part of Malawi. She said, “I know.” She said it in a way that I knew she knew. The jig is up. I’ve been caught again. But ladies I did have a map. Besides there was no one to stop and ask directions since most Malawians in the village areas have never traveled more than 20 kilometers away from their homes in their entire lives. So there!
The Heat is Eating Away
The temperature was running around 100 degrees and most Malawians had been wise enough to go hide inside their homes. Climbing through the mountains our car quickly overheats and we have to roll down the windows, and breath in the nice, fresh, “hot” air. We’re drained by the time we reach the turn south of Dedza and start down the mountain. It is true that the scenery is beautiful and Tom gets some great pictures. Sure was worth going partly out of our way to show him that, don’t you think?
Finally we’re at the bottom and heading north fast. It is quite obvious that we were at a very low elevation and it is very, very hot, here in the lower Rift Valley. Wow, sure wish we would get there. Still 50 kilometers. Then suddenly, Bam! Bam! Bam! A rear tire loses its tread, and with every turn of the wheel the loose, flapping tread hits the back fender. Quickly we are out of the car, in lightening speed we unload the luggage, dig down and find the spare, and in the twinkling of an eye we have the tire changed. I’ll tell you I was soaking wet with sweat when we got back in the car. It sure was an exhausting job watching Tom change that tire. So much for treating a guest with great hospitality.
We arrive at the Military Barracks in Senga Bay around 4. That is where we unload the V-Tractor. They are having a soccer game and for a moment I have a tinge of concern the match might stop and everyone come to see the breathtaking, innovative, new and improved V-Tractor. But, shades of truth, they love soccer even more than they love the V-Tractor. Now, I know you find that hard to believe, but believe me they really like their soccer. Tom rode the tractor the last kilometer to Cool Runnings. Everyone along the way stops to see the American Rock Star go by on his new fangled contraption.
Before dinner we go to see the completed Senga Bay Library. Remember, that is the one the Malawi Project helped fund this past year. Well, it looks great. It’s the biggest library in that part of Malawi, and will serve the public in a great way. All around the room is the evidence of the recent visit of Kate and Jarrod Shafter. She got interested in Malawi when she was a teen-ager, and that interest has continued through high school, college, and now into marriage. Her and her husband just returned to the states after spending six months in Malawi. They put a lot of work into painting murals on the walls of the library, and building the shelving for the books. Great job guys. It looks really good.
We head back to Cool Runnings for a great evening meal and overnight stay. Tomorrow morning will be the start of V-Tractor training in the village.
The heat is so oppressive we can hardly sleep. Can’t imagine what it must be like in the village areas. Restless night.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
What is that Thing?
People Look in Amazement
Senga Bay, Malawi … There is no doubt that the little girl in the picture has never seen anything like this in her life. It isn’t surprising. Neither has anyone else outside of Malawi and its birthplace at the L.T. Rich Manufacturing plant in Lebanon, Indiana.
After 5 years in design and development the V-Tractor (V stands for Village) made it debut appearance in Malawi, Africa. Last year two units were put through their paces in Dedza, in the central region of the country, and in Thondwe in the southern region. Now it is time for one of them to make an appearance in Senga Bay, near Lake Malawi.
Sunday morning a large flatbed truck will leave Thondwe in the southern region and make its way up the coastline of Lake Malawi to Senga Bay. Atop its bed will rest a new V-Tractor and various other implements needed to cultivate and plant fields near the big lake in just a matter of hours.
On Monday morning the sounds of the V-Tractor will spring to life as the 22-horse diesel engine prepares to do the hard labor of a number of farmers.
No doubt, like the little girl pictured with the tractor coming toward her in Dedza a little over a year ago, children and adults alike will look up in amazement at this strange agricultural devise that is sure to affect their future in a very positive way.
Additional information and views of this out-of-this-world devise can be seen at www.malawiproject.org or www.vtractor.com/
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday Night - A Good Day
This was a good day. In the early morning we headed into Blantyre to do a tour of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the largest hospital in the southern part of Malawi. There is a lot of construction taking place there, and by and large, we are very impressed with the progress that seems to be more visible all the time in Malawi. In the early years of our time here it just seemed to go down hill in a death spiral. But in the past two or three years we see some gain. This is true with the construction at Queen Elizabeth and we found it to be especially true with the brand new dialysis department that has been constructed. Chief Matron took us on the tour and no one could have been more gracious. After the tour we were taken to the office of the hospital administrator, Dr. Andrew Gonani where we were again extending great hospitality. In recent years the Project has shipped a large number of supplies to this first tier hospital. Things are definitely looking up.
In the afternoon some of us walked to a small village east of the mission in Namikango in order to interview a man who was given a wheelchair a few weeks ago. The story will be on the web site soon ( www.malawiproject.org ) but briefly let me note that he is 67 years old, and suffered a stroke in October 1999. While he was still in the hospital his wife and children left him. His aged mother had to come to the hospital to care for him. After he got out of the hospital he was unable to return to his good paying job in Blantyre and had to return to the village. From his home he had to use a walking stick in order to go to the nearest clinic, a 10 minute walk for you or me, but it was a 4 to 5 hour walk for him. Even when he left early in the morning it would often be long after dark before he got home at night. The Namikango Mission gave him one of the wheelchairs from our recent shipment. The old gentleman just could not find words to express his appreciation. But we found great satisfaction in what took place with him three days ago. Because of the love shown to him by Christians he was baptized into Christ on Tuesday. Today Wilson Tembo told us he plans to take the youth group to this man's house and plant his garden for him. Now isn't that what it is all about?
In the afternoon some of us walked to a small village east of the mission in Namikango in order to interview a man who was given a wheelchair a few weeks ago. The story will be on the web site soon ( www.malawiproject.org ) but briefly let me note that he is 67 years old, and suffered a stroke in October 1999. While he was still in the hospital his wife and children left him. His aged mother had to come to the hospital to care for him. After he got out of the hospital he was unable to return to his good paying job in Blantyre and had to return to the village. From his home he had to use a walking stick in order to go to the nearest clinic, a 10 minute walk for you or me, but it was a 4 to 5 hour walk for him. Even when he left early in the morning it would often be long after dark before he got home at night. The Namikango Mission gave him one of the wheelchairs from our recent shipment. The old gentleman just could not find words to express his appreciation. But we found great satisfaction in what took place with him three days ago. Because of the love shown to him by Christians he was baptized into Christ on Tuesday. Today Wilson Tembo told us he plans to take the youth group to this man's house and plant his garden for him. Now isn't that what it is all about?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Presentation Gives Hope to AIDS Group
This morning Suzi and Ann Thiesen taught a class to a group of AIDS patients that meet at the Namikango Mission. The lesson was about the hope a person can have in Christ, the fact that one can be forgiven of anything that might have contributed to their having AIDS.
At the end of the lesson each woman was given some hygiene items, a blue basin, and some candy. Each woman was told how much she was loved, and then the group was invited to share ways they could go out and help other people, especially those who have contracted AIDS. A number of good deeds were proposed.
At the end of the session the patients broke out in unscripted singing and praising God. It was certainly a beautiful thing to behold in that these women have so little to celebrate and so many churches do not want them coming to their services.
The progress continues on the new kitchen, although today it rained heavily again. This is the third day in a row.
On Monday we do the field cultivation in Senga Bay with the new V-Tractor. Hope the rains hold enough for us to get that finished. As this is being posted Tom Rich is already en-route here from Indiana to train on the new tractor.
Afternoon was spent in meetings in Blantyre with various people and groups to evaluate and plan future programs.
At the end of the lesson each woman was given some hygiene items, a blue basin, and some candy. Each woman was told how much she was loved, and then the group was invited to share ways they could go out and help other people, especially those who have contracted AIDS. A number of good deeds were proposed.
At the end of the session the patients broke out in unscripted singing and praising God. It was certainly a beautiful thing to behold in that these women have so little to celebrate and so many churches do not want them coming to their services.
The progress continues on the new kitchen, although today it rained heavily again. This is the third day in a row.
On Monday we do the field cultivation in Senga Bay with the new V-Tractor. Hope the rains hold enough for us to get that finished. As this is being posted Tom Rich is already en-route here from Indiana to train on the new tractor.
Afternoon was spent in meetings in Blantyre with various people and groups to evaluate and plan future programs.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Over the River and Through The Woods
You know it is getting hot when even the Africans say it is hot. Today they said it was hot. I knew that!
After just a week in the county we are just about comfortable with the lifestyle again. It always takes a few days to get out of the clock watching, time clock punching, moment by moment, appointment driven life style of the west. I’m still impressed with people who don’t start meetings until everyone is there, and with people who seem to relish the moment so much they forget there is past behind them or a future pressing down on them.
“It isn’t far,” Tembo told me. For what that means I’m afraid we might be in for a long morning! It was true, but when we finally reached our destination, a most beautiful valley between two high peaks in southern Malawi, it was worth every minute of the hour trip, and the 20 minute walk down the mountain, across the stream, and up the other side to the tiny village where Maggie lives. At 48 she has never been outside this tiny group of six village huts in her whole life. Her longest trip was to the top of the mountain we had just walked down in order to be at the handing over ceremony where she received a new wheelchair from the Namikango Mission, Free Wheelchair Mission, and the Malawi Project. How did she get to the meeting? They took her up the mountain in a wheelbarrow! Well, we were must later getting back than I had planned, but who cares when you are having this much fun. I could go out on these missions every day. So much is being done by this wheelchair program I cannot put it into words that really fit the situation.
Back to the mission in Thondwe by 10:30, and another hospital has sent a large truck, about a 3 toner it appears, to pick up much needed supplies. Two hours later they are on their way with the truck packed tight. Now how many lives is that going to affect?
Then it is up to the house for a quick lunch.
Two PM and we’re back at the medical storage warehouse where a distribution of goods is about to take place with the families of the staff of the mission and the clinic. The only thing that slows the excitement of this program is the second heavy rainstorm of the season. Cloudburst. Indiana in April. No it was worse than that. Take a look at the picture on the blog for yesterday and push “duplicate” and you will see today.
Most of the evening was spent filling out reports, writing stories, and rearranging our plans for the next 10 days. That is what you do each evening. You lay out the plan for the next day, then the next day you change it, then the next night you adjust the schedule to what you actually did and layout a new plan for the next day. That’s Malawi.
After just a week in the county we are just about comfortable with the lifestyle again. It always takes a few days to get out of the clock watching, time clock punching, moment by moment, appointment driven life style of the west. I’m still impressed with people who don’t start meetings until everyone is there, and with people who seem to relish the moment so much they forget there is past behind them or a future pressing down on them.
“It isn’t far,” Tembo told me. For what that means I’m afraid we might be in for a long morning! It was true, but when we finally reached our destination, a most beautiful valley between two high peaks in southern Malawi, it was worth every minute of the hour trip, and the 20 minute walk down the mountain, across the stream, and up the other side to the tiny village where Maggie lives. At 48 she has never been outside this tiny group of six village huts in her whole life. Her longest trip was to the top of the mountain we had just walked down in order to be at the handing over ceremony where she received a new wheelchair from the Namikango Mission, Free Wheelchair Mission, and the Malawi Project. How did she get to the meeting? They took her up the mountain in a wheelbarrow! Well, we were must later getting back than I had planned, but who cares when you are having this much fun. I could go out on these missions every day. So much is being done by this wheelchair program I cannot put it into words that really fit the situation.
Back to the mission in Thondwe by 10:30, and another hospital has sent a large truck, about a 3 toner it appears, to pick up much needed supplies. Two hours later they are on their way with the truck packed tight. Now how many lives is that going to affect?
Then it is up to the house for a quick lunch.
Two PM and we’re back at the medical storage warehouse where a distribution of goods is about to take place with the families of the staff of the mission and the clinic. The only thing that slows the excitement of this program is the second heavy rainstorm of the season. Cloudburst. Indiana in April. No it was worse than that. Take a look at the picture on the blog for yesterday and push “duplicate” and you will see today.
Most of the evening was spent filling out reports, writing stories, and rearranging our plans for the next 10 days. That is what you do each evening. You lay out the plan for the next day, then the next day you change it, then the next night you adjust the schedule to what you actually did and layout a new plan for the next day. That’s Malawi.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Some Days Bad - Some Days Good - This Was A Good One
It has been said that a Malawian seems to have all of time in the world. If that is true then there is no time for the rest of us and that is why we can’t seem to keep up. Or at least that sounds reasonable to me.
Tuesday started off in a blinding blizzard of speed. Up at 5:15 AM (they get up early here and at 5:15 AM most of you in the west are still in bed or just getting to bed.) I enjoy sending you emails at that time because I get all caught up while you are sleeping. Too, I can send an email to yesterday, and you can write back to tomorrow when we do it at 5:30 in the morning.
For breakfast I made egg sandwiches and tea, and we were off and running. Suzi taught the women at the pre-natal clinic at 8:30, and I transferred food from the warehouse to the house for the Thiesens, ourselves and Tom when he gets here, then took pictures of the workmen who are digging up the soil for the foundation for the new kitchen.
At 10:00 AM representatives from the District Health Office in Zomba came to inspect the Namikango Mission and talk with us about giving supplies to Zomba Central Hospital. This went on until noon when we went up the mission house to rest and have lunch.
It was really exciting when we got to the house because we had received a large amount of food on the shipment yesterday from the Lebanon Church of Christ. We, and the Thiesen family, were like kids in a candy shop with all of the food. We spread all of the food out on the floor all over the main room and just stared at it.
Shortly after lunch cases of library books were brought up from the shipment, and a large number of books were added to the library at Namikango Mission for use by the students in the school there.
Then around 1 PM representatives from St. John’s Hospital northeast of Zomba came to discuss receiving medical supplies and approval on both sides was quickly established. A truck will return tomorrow to obtain a large number of supplies for that facility.
At 3 PM the District officers from Zomba returned for the inspection of the medical warehouse. It didn’t take long for a very through inspection and evaluation to take place. They too accepted the offer of medical supplies from the Project, and quickly started loading their Land Rover with cases of supplies, promising to return tomorrow for more. They advised us they would immediately begin distributing these supplies to medical facilities all over Zomba District.
It has been a good day.
Tuesday started off in a blinding blizzard of speed. Up at 5:15 AM (they get up early here and at 5:15 AM most of you in the west are still in bed or just getting to bed.) I enjoy sending you emails at that time because I get all caught up while you are sleeping. Too, I can send an email to yesterday, and you can write back to tomorrow when we do it at 5:30 in the morning.
For breakfast I made egg sandwiches and tea, and we were off and running. Suzi taught the women at the pre-natal clinic at 8:30, and I transferred food from the warehouse to the house for the Thiesens, ourselves and Tom when he gets here, then took pictures of the workmen who are digging up the soil for the foundation for the new kitchen.
At 10:00 AM representatives from the District Health Office in Zomba came to inspect the Namikango Mission and talk with us about giving supplies to Zomba Central Hospital. This went on until noon when we went up the mission house to rest and have lunch.
It was really exciting when we got to the house because we had received a large amount of food on the shipment yesterday from the Lebanon Church of Christ. We, and the Thiesen family, were like kids in a candy shop with all of the food. We spread all of the food out on the floor all over the main room and just stared at it.
Shortly after lunch cases of library books were brought up from the shipment, and a large number of books were added to the library at Namikango Mission for use by the students in the school there.
Then around 1 PM representatives from St. John’s Hospital northeast of Zomba came to discuss receiving medical supplies and approval on both sides was quickly established. A truck will return tomorrow to obtain a large number of supplies for that facility.
At 3 PM the District officers from Zomba returned for the inspection of the medical warehouse. It didn’t take long for a very through inspection and evaluation to take place. They too accepted the offer of medical supplies from the Project, and quickly started loading their Land Rover with cases of supplies, promising to return tomorrow for more. They advised us they would immediately begin distributing these supplies to medical facilities all over Zomba District.
It has been a good day.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Yes it is, no it is not, here it comes
Blog for Tuesday November 9, 2009
Over a week ago they had been promised at the Namikango Mission the trailer from the U.S. filled with medical supplies and a new V-tractor would be there on Monday. It did not come on Monday, but “perhaps it will be here on Tuesday.” We left the states on Tuesday thinking it would at least be here by Thursday or Friday. When we got off the plane we were told it would probably be here Friday or Monday for sure. Friday passed without any word from customs, the clearing agent, or the trucking company. No trucks passed on the highways, as the country had been out of diesel fuel for nearly a week. We lay in bed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights listening for trucks on the highway not far from the mission. No sound. The nights were empty.
Now it is Monday morning and our first news comes early:
6 A.M. “The trailer will not be here today because the country is still out of diesel fuel.
8 A.M. “The truck is coming today. It will be here by noon.”
11 A.M. “The truck is in the truck yard in Blantyre and the trailer is hooked to the trailer.”
11:15 A.M. “The tractor can’t come. It doesn’t have enough fuel.”
12:00 P.M. “They found fuel. They will be here soon, soon.”
1:50 P.M. “It is coming. It is coming,” came shouts from an excited worker.
2:55 P.M. “Customs man arrives.” We can begin to unload.
4:15 P.M. “Everything is off except the V-Tractor.”
4:20 P.M. There is no plan to get the tractor down off of the trailer.” Phone calls to find a flatbed to unload it onto. No luck. Finally the nearby church building has a 4-foot high classroom built on the side that has not been completed. Since the trailer bed is only about 6 foot high perhaps we can put planks down, inprovise rope pulleys inside the trailer and inch the 2,000 lb tractor down the wooden incline.
6:55 P. M. Got it down. All in one piece. No workers killed, mained, or injured.
It is a good day. Time to go up and see if the email is working so we can see if we have any news from home.
Meanwhile earlier in the day two unknown people came up to Ann Thiesen, one of the American workers on the compound, and told her the watch-dogs had bitten them and she needed to bind up their wounds. “How did this happen,” she asked? “Oh madam, we were trying to steal your firewood and one of your dogs bite us. That is why we come to you to fix our wounds. It was your dogs that bite us. Now what is wrong with this picture?
Over a week ago they had been promised at the Namikango Mission the trailer from the U.S. filled with medical supplies and a new V-tractor would be there on Monday. It did not come on Monday, but “perhaps it will be here on Tuesday.” We left the states on Tuesday thinking it would at least be here by Thursday or Friday. When we got off the plane we were told it would probably be here Friday or Monday for sure. Friday passed without any word from customs, the clearing agent, or the trucking company. No trucks passed on the highways, as the country had been out of diesel fuel for nearly a week. We lay in bed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights listening for trucks on the highway not far from the mission. No sound. The nights were empty.
Now it is Monday morning and our first news comes early:
6 A.M. “The trailer will not be here today because the country is still out of diesel fuel.
8 A.M. “The truck is coming today. It will be here by noon.”
11 A.M. “The truck is in the truck yard in Blantyre and the trailer is hooked to the trailer.”
11:15 A.M. “The tractor can’t come. It doesn’t have enough fuel.”
12:00 P.M. “They found fuel. They will be here soon, soon.”
1:50 P.M. “It is coming. It is coming,” came shouts from an excited worker.
2:55 P.M. “Customs man arrives.” We can begin to unload.
4:15 P.M. “Everything is off except the V-Tractor.”
4:20 P.M. There is no plan to get the tractor down off of the trailer.” Phone calls to find a flatbed to unload it onto. No luck. Finally the nearby church building has a 4-foot high classroom built on the side that has not been completed. Since the trailer bed is only about 6 foot high perhaps we can put planks down, inprovise rope pulleys inside the trailer and inch the 2,000 lb tractor down the wooden incline.
6:55 P. M. Got it down. All in one piece. No workers killed, mained, or injured.
It is a good day. Time to go up and see if the email is working so we can see if we have any news from home.
Meanwhile earlier in the day two unknown people came up to Ann Thiesen, one of the American workers on the compound, and told her the watch-dogs had bitten them and she needed to bind up their wounds. “How did this happen,” she asked? “Oh madam, we were trying to steal your firewood and one of your dogs bite us. That is why we come to you to fix our wounds. It was your dogs that bite us. Now what is wrong with this picture?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Mosquito to Wheelchair - But by the Grace of God go we
Today we went to an unknown place, in a hard to find village, in an area hard to get to. I was with Wilson Tembo from the Namikango Clinic and we were doing a story on a small girl who had received one of the 550 wheelchairs the Malawi Project had delivered to the county thanks to a cooperative relationship with the Free Wheelchair Mission.
Wilson told me last week they too some wheelchairs to an area near here and when he saw the people and their plight he broke down and cried.
When we reached the place we found the little girl and her parents sitting near a grove of mango trees. Wilson gathered the information for the story. It seems the 6 year old had been fine until she was three when she was bitten by a mosquito. This mosquito carried the deadly strain of malaria that brings about celebral malaria. I know some about that since Suzi has had it three times. Well, the little girl was in a coma for a week. When she awakened she could not talk or walk. The parents took her home. There was nothing else that could be done. She would never run and play, go to school, get married or have children. I reached down and touched the frail legs as she sat limply looking at me from the wheelchair. I broke down and cried.
Wilson told me last week they too some wheelchairs to an area near here and when he saw the people and their plight he broke down and cried.
When we reached the place we found the little girl and her parents sitting near a grove of mango trees. Wilson gathered the information for the story. It seems the 6 year old had been fine until she was three when she was bitten by a mosquito. This mosquito carried the deadly strain of malaria that brings about celebral malaria. I know some about that since Suzi has had it three times. Well, the little girl was in a coma for a week. When she awakened she could not talk or walk. The parents took her home. There was nothing else that could be done. She would never run and play, go to school, get married or have children. I reached down and touched the frail legs as she sat limply looking at me from the wheelchair. I broke down and cried.
Friday, November 6, 2009
In Transit from U.S. to Malawi
After an uneventful departure from Indianapolis to Atlanta, Georgia, we boarded a Delta 747 for the grueling 15-hour flight across the Atlantic. After skirting some rather bumpy, turbulent weather near the western coast of Africa we eventually crossed over much of the lower portion of the continent and landed at terminal B at the Johannesburg International Airport. (As a side note perhaps someone can tell me why Delta serves pizza just before the morning arrival in Johannesburg? Even though we had come into this airport 15 or 20 times this time it looked all different. They are nearing completion on a new terminal in preparation for the World Cup Games in 2010.
The new customs area is large and spacious, as well as being swift and efficient. Almost before we knew it we were through it and out into the main terminal. Not wanting to leave the airport area for our overnight stay we decided to walk across the construction filled parking lot and stay in the Inter-Continental Hotel. Wow! What's a boy like me doing in a hotel like that? You almost felt like you should be wearing a three piece suit just to check in. And the prices. Wow! They were more than the cost of the three piece suit? But elegant? Yes, it was. Great meal. Great room. Great hot tub. Great price the next morning. Now how did they say we can wire home for more funds if we need to?
7 AM came early, or was it still midnight? It is now hard to tell since our minds say it is 7 while somehow we left our bodies back there on Indiana time, midnight! We packed up and crossed the ... you guessed it ... construction filled parking lot, and entered the rush, rush of early morning air travel. A fine meal overlooking the runways (far less than the breakfast would have been back over there in the palace) and we were on the way down the ramp toward A-1 where the overhead said our plane would be. Never mind the computer had just spit out our boarding pass and advised us our plane was at the other end of the terminal. We trusted the overhead board and kept going down A-1.
It turned out to be right. There was our plane. But it was time to load and there was no crew. In fact there were no check in people, just a rather large crowd not seeming to realize it was time to go and there was no one to go with. I think we are back in Africa. After all why would you get ready to leave until everyone was there that wanted to go with you. Forty minutes late we were the way. No one explained. No one apologized. No one seemed to notice.
Before long the gentle voices of Malawians around us on the plane began to lull us to slow the pace, relax the tension, and move into a different life style. I looked at my watch. Too bad. Won't need that much in the next few weeks. I moved my international driver's license from my briefcase to my jacket pocket. All too quickly I will find myself propelling us along a pothole filled, pavement starved, narrow gage roadway driving on the left side of the road. We are about to reach "the Warm Heart of Africa."
The new customs area is large and spacious, as well as being swift and efficient. Almost before we knew it we were through it and out into the main terminal. Not wanting to leave the airport area for our overnight stay we decided to walk across the construction filled parking lot and stay in the Inter-Continental Hotel. Wow! What's a boy like me doing in a hotel like that? You almost felt like you should be wearing a three piece suit just to check in. And the prices. Wow! They were more than the cost of the three piece suit? But elegant? Yes, it was. Great meal. Great room. Great hot tub. Great price the next morning. Now how did they say we can wire home for more funds if we need to?
7 AM came early, or was it still midnight? It is now hard to tell since our minds say it is 7 while somehow we left our bodies back there on Indiana time, midnight! We packed up and crossed the ... you guessed it ... construction filled parking lot, and entered the rush, rush of early morning air travel. A fine meal overlooking the runways (far less than the breakfast would have been back over there in the palace) and we were on the way down the ramp toward A-1 where the overhead said our plane would be. Never mind the computer had just spit out our boarding pass and advised us our plane was at the other end of the terminal. We trusted the overhead board and kept going down A-1.
It turned out to be right. There was our plane. But it was time to load and there was no crew. In fact there were no check in people, just a rather large crowd not seeming to realize it was time to go and there was no one to go with. I think we are back in Africa. After all why would you get ready to leave until everyone was there that wanted to go with you. Forty minutes late we were the way. No one explained. No one apologized. No one seemed to notice.
Before long the gentle voices of Malawians around us on the plane began to lull us to slow the pace, relax the tension, and move into a different life style. I looked at my watch. Too bad. Won't need that much in the next few weeks. I moved my international driver's license from my briefcase to my jacket pocket. All too quickly I will find myself propelling us along a pothole filled, pavement starved, narrow gage roadway driving on the left side of the road. We are about to reach "the Warm Heart of Africa."
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