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.