Hi Folks,
I is amazing that a week from Tuesday, I will once again be sitting on a flight back to the US. Progress is very noticable now that we have concrete floors being poured and the Green metal roofs on two of the buildings. My 24 wardrobes are in storage so that leaves me very little space to live. Our two bedrooms are pack now with beds and projects up to the ceilings. I will be glad to finally get a truck and move to the site and unload everything.
We stayed in Mbuguni last weekend and visited the Lutheran Sunday School class near the construction site. I had many little items from First Lutheran Sunday School children in Milford plus my sisters elementary class in Michigan made items as gifts to present to them. I planned on 30 to 40 watotos as there were 30 or so last time. I think they heard I was coming as the group had adults present along with about 50 children. I didn't count but I asked the teacher if maybe one gift per family might make it all stretch so every one got something. I have memories of smiling kids and singing along with some very happy parents. I had my interpreter handle the camera and he managed a small video clip minus the sound. It was his First attempt at that function on the STEMM camera. I have one picture of a little girl alone afterwards, so focused on what was in her little envelope, she had never had such treasures in her hand.
Two Nuns (Sister Lucy and Sister Monica) from STAR school guided us to a small village on the south slope of Mt Kilimanjaro. They asked if I could bring a few shirts for some kids they know. I picked up 30 shirts and pants and on Sunday afternoon we took the 10 minute drive to their little abode. After driving for 90 minutes we arrived only to find that we were to have lunch at a relatives home of one of the sisters. Having eaten rice and what I think was greens, we headed out for our 10 minute drive to the little village. (communicating is still a bit of a challenge for me) Erick placed the vehicle in 4 wheel drive to manage the slopes up and down and the boulders. I doubt the road had ever seen a Grader. When the Sister guiding said turn left here - I said no way! There was no road, just a walking path about 12" wide with banana trees tight to the path. She said "Akuna Matata" which means "no worries". I said "have you ever gone this way before?" and she said "You are soon to see where I grew Up. Normally however, we only walk in." With our car moving the branches out of the way in a dead crawl, we headed on and upward. Turn here, no, wait turn at the next foot path on your right, After about five turns I was so lost in a mountain sloped banana forest that it was a good thing I had two Sisters along who could pray to get us back out. Eventually we came to a small old woman who was working with a hoe in the banana trees. Sister Lucy said to me "That's my MaMa!!!! I met the entire clan, the sisters wanted to show me everything and everyone. We hiked down a deep canyon where she would get water at every day. By the time we came in from our hike, her Mama had Samaki (fish) and baked bananas. Now the nearest lake is 300 miles away so without refrigeration you can imagine - or maybe you don't want to - know what we ate. It was a requirement to have a taste as is custom so I gave my GI digestive track a quick prayer and tackled my second meal of unknowns in as many hours. It was delicious and I had seconds. I stood and told the Mama that "Samaki na ndizi ni nzuri"! - She smiled, nodded and replied profusely in her native swahili so I pulled out my photos of my family to show to her. I have the swahili words for son, daughter, wife, grandson, granddaughter, etc and she immediately took the pictures and explained to the clan who I had as family in America. They wanted to know when they were coming for Samaki and ndizi too!!
Sister Lucy then said we should visit the needy family. Walking about 30 yards thru the banana forest, a hut appeared and all were outside. There seemed about 12 children (no adults) and more kept coming as we handed out items. The sisters said that the family is mostly children with the young girls at age 12 to 13 becoming mothers. I was handed a photo of a little girl who was 13 and not pregnant who wanted to be sent to school so she could get a chance at a better life. One does not have to look too many degrees in any direction to find a desperately needy child wanting an education. By the time I left, I had acquired 3 photos of teenaged children wanting an education. As no school is available to them, they would have to go to a boarding school at great expense. I am handing the photos to STEMM to see if one or more can be added to our School House scholarship program.
Oh, I will never forget, I had 12 pure white 5" teddy bears with a fabric cross donated by someone back home. I was not pleased by the white color as the dirt here soils everything so fast and it is so difficult to carry water for washing. It seems my concerns were not valid. Had I had 100 of them, they would have disappeared within a kilometer. I picked 12 little girls only who where walking with a Mama - maybe 3 to 6 years old. Their little eyes lit up and immediatley hugged it so tight - the Mama's saying Asanti Asanti as we moved on. The high pitch voice of the child thrilled and telling mama something but unknown to me. I can imagine that those little bears have a special home for a long time. The memory of those moments are so etched in my mind no photos are needed to remind me of the joy those small gifts brought.
I had a long week of sanding and varnishing so I took the three men off of the fencing crew and placed them on an assembly finishing line for bunk beds. The vibration of the sanders for 9 hours caused all three to have a terrible night. Their hands buzzed to bad they couldn't sleep. They all tried laying on their hands, putting their hands under their heads, placing heavy objects on their hands and all sorts of things to stop their hands from buzzing. They even said their head vibrated when their head was laying on their hands. I was laughing so hard at their predicament my side hurt. On day two of sanding they chose the brush instead and I was stuck with the sanders. They eventually picked up a sander and tried again, once they understood what had happened and it was only temporary.
Erick seems to have gotten bit by a big bug so got him to a hospital on Saturday for drugs. He was also down with some virus and I had to make meals and allow him to rest last week. I think even the heat and dust gets to him too.
Well, we seem to be having a Financial problem in getting funds wired from the states. I have gone thru all my reserve cash and have borrowed now from the Ahadi Lodge to get me thru next week. Pray for FUNDS to arrive. I have workers to pay!!!
Have a great start to December - Think SNOW! I am.
Blessings,
Richard
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Rich's week 1 of 2nd trip
Hi Folks,
Habari ya Assibui,
Had a very uneventful flight, arrival and the first 4 days at the village. Oh I should mention that the 30 hr flight was extended a bit due to the unexpected stop in Kenya to drop a man having a heart attack, behind my seat. A cabin search for a doctor was made and we dropped into Nyrobi as there is a better heart hospital there. There was no room for a gurney in the isle of the KLM flight to lay a man out so we elevated him across the seats. He couldn't turn the corner on the stretcher to exit the airplane door so that was interesting as well, Tipping the pour gent vertical almost gave me a heart attack. Back in the air after refueling I arrived at Kili airport to be greated by officials wearing face masks and official forms inquiring as to H1N1 virus and if we felt sick we should go back where we came from. I had no intention of THAT!!!!
This never happens - I was the first one to get my baggage off the claim area - YEAH. Wow!!!!! However, This is not always a good thing as I found out 2 minutes later. Being the first to Customs, they all were ready for Good old #1 passenger and they were going to do a very complete job. (Its best to wait a bit until there is a line and then when things get backed up a bit, you might get waved through without inspection). Well the nice man opened my 70 lb 4' duffel and proceded to remove washcloth dolls from First Lutheran Church, photos, button toys from my sister's classroom in Michigan, age 1 to age 6 shirts and pants collected in Milford, etc. all very expensive and then finally he hit pay dirt. TOOLS and Screws, hidden in the bottom!!! He said I would have to pay to take this bag out of the airport. I argued in Swahili for a bit (the baggage line now is starting to back up) I switched to English as I only knew how to say hello and coffee please, in Swahili. They started a second line and people were starting to be waved past and out to get transport to Arusha. I was taken to a back room where interagation of my need for dolls and button toys and screws were to be used. He said this was valuable stuff and that the Tanzania Government has to place a VAT tax on the bag of supplies. I continued to argue about them taxing the orphans in Tanzania - I thought I had a great argument - after all he was just trying to get a bit of cash for his CHI fund (his own use). He wanted 100 USD. I showed him my wallet, I had 7 bucks - the rest I had hidden. He was not happy. I ended up walking out into the lobby and getting $30.00 USD from My driver who was waiting for me. I exchanged it for 40,000 Shillings and gave it to the nice man back in customs. He gave me an unofficial reciept and I was good to go!! I was so thankful that the driver had money, that the line was getting hundreds deep by now and I was blocking trffic and that he didn't look in my other 2 bags which contained all my expensive power tools. T think I would still be there. God is good so keep me in your prayers, I almost needed a heart hospital myself after that!
Stayed only the first night at the lodge and the next day immediately purchased 30 sheets of 4 x 8' plywood stock to build wardrobes at the village. I ordered a pickup truck to haul the plywood from down town to the edge of town where we transferred it to a large truck to make the trip to Mbuguni. I paid for pick up, hauling - unloading, reloading, hauling and unloading again at the village site. I sure miss Consumer lumber in Spirit Lake with free delivery! This took all day. By evening I had the plywood stacked at the village and I took the first sheet placed it on the table to layout cabinet number one and proceded to cut it out. The power had been off all day so no time was lost there. I was like a little kid with a new power tool. I had enough to keep me busy for weeks. My joy turned to sorrow (just like the song) in about 2 minutes however. It seems the plywood manufacturer saves on cost by only gluing the edges of the sheet of plywood. When I made my first cut 10" inside my first sheet the plys opened up like a fan. NO GLUE THERE!!! I made a second cut only to have the 7 plys completely de-laminate. Time to rethink! You don't get refunds in Tanzania. I'm still rethinking and reordering, and re-praying, and wondering if STEMM in Sioux City will cover my $600.00 plus junk delivery. God is Good. This is HIS project I keep telling myself. I'm glad the Architect was with me so I had moral support and lots of laughter over (we'er not in Kansas anymore) I may have to organize a STEMM (TASTE of AFRICA Dinner) fund raiser back home to cover my blunders.
So I spent 2 days placing fence posts instead of cabinet work - was without a vehicle for the duration as the Architect was trying to solve problems of his own with the Government in Arusha - (This is hopeless). Walking to the site and back only takes me 1 hour in full sun at 95 degees F. I now have the skin color of a true Tananian as the dirt sticks nicely to my face and any exposed skin and along with the sweat plus the humidity which is increasing reminds me of a sauna gone bad. I gained back some weight the last 6 weeks but I think it all disappeared on me after two days in that heat. We had to move the fence twice - seems the villagers didn't like the location I started at and after a 1/2 day meeting with the Architect we moved to a new location right down the center of an old ox cart path. Nice and HARD and compacted soil to dig thru. God is Good. I think he must want to test something in the depths of my inner being. The men I work with are so happy to have me back. - I am called " REEE-CHARD! I look up when I am called every minute or so. That's it on the verbal communication end of things. We laugh constantly at the littlest thing especially at my practiced method of using hand signals to explain what is to be done. I have now perfected the art of arm, hand, leg, and finger signals to explain fence layout and construction. Laughter is always accompanied by a little hip action to music wafting thru the site.
The local Lutheran church, 30 feet from the fence, practices their music ministry and dance moves, outside with an amplifier that would make Bob Floss Smile. Their dance session is about 6-7 hours long. Of course, yours truely, stepped up to the challenge and tried to dig holes to the beat of the music with exagerated hip action. I had 100+ kids laughing and eventually got invited to dance with the music team. That really stopped all classes at the church as kids were hanging out the windows watching the muzungu make a fool of himself. I declined their offer of full time employment as a Praise and Worship team member and went back to digging holes for which I have been blessed by God in that fine art instead.
I arrived back in Arusha to go to church Saturday night and will be back at it on Monday Morning. God is Good.
Blessings,
The very tired Fundi Richard - but having a hoot of a time.
Richard
Habari ya Assibui,
Had a very uneventful flight, arrival and the first 4 days at the village. Oh I should mention that the 30 hr flight was extended a bit due to the unexpected stop in Kenya to drop a man having a heart attack, behind my seat. A cabin search for a doctor was made and we dropped into Nyrobi as there is a better heart hospital there. There was no room for a gurney in the isle of the KLM flight to lay a man out so we elevated him across the seats. He couldn't turn the corner on the stretcher to exit the airplane door so that was interesting as well, Tipping the pour gent vertical almost gave me a heart attack. Back in the air after refueling I arrived at Kili airport to be greated by officials wearing face masks and official forms inquiring as to H1N1 virus and if we felt sick we should go back where we came from. I had no intention of THAT!!!!
This never happens - I was the first one to get my baggage off the claim area - YEAH. Wow!!!!! However, This is not always a good thing as I found out 2 minutes later. Being the first to Customs, they all were ready for Good old #1 passenger and they were going to do a very complete job. (Its best to wait a bit until there is a line and then when things get backed up a bit, you might get waved through without inspection). Well the nice man opened my 70 lb 4' duffel and proceded to remove washcloth dolls from First Lutheran Church, photos, button toys from my sister's classroom in Michigan, age 1 to age 6 shirts and pants collected in Milford, etc. all very expensive and then finally he hit pay dirt. TOOLS and Screws, hidden in the bottom!!! He said I would have to pay to take this bag out of the airport. I argued in Swahili for a bit (the baggage line now is starting to back up) I switched to English as I only knew how to say hello and coffee please, in Swahili. They started a second line and people were starting to be waved past and out to get transport to Arusha. I was taken to a back room where interagation of my need for dolls and button toys and screws were to be used. He said this was valuable stuff and that the Tanzania Government has to place a VAT tax on the bag of supplies. I continued to argue about them taxing the orphans in Tanzania - I thought I had a great argument - after all he was just trying to get a bit of cash for his CHI fund (his own use). He wanted 100 USD. I showed him my wallet, I had 7 bucks - the rest I had hidden. He was not happy. I ended up walking out into the lobby and getting $30.00 USD from My driver who was waiting for me. I exchanged it for 40,000 Shillings and gave it to the nice man back in customs. He gave me an unofficial reciept and I was good to go!! I was so thankful that the driver had money, that the line was getting hundreds deep by now and I was blocking trffic and that he didn't look in my other 2 bags which contained all my expensive power tools. T think I would still be there. God is good so keep me in your prayers, I almost needed a heart hospital myself after that!
Stayed only the first night at the lodge and the next day immediately purchased 30 sheets of 4 x 8' plywood stock to build wardrobes at the village. I ordered a pickup truck to haul the plywood from down town to the edge of town where we transferred it to a large truck to make the trip to Mbuguni. I paid for pick up, hauling - unloading, reloading, hauling and unloading again at the village site. I sure miss Consumer lumber in Spirit Lake with free delivery! This took all day. By evening I had the plywood stacked at the village and I took the first sheet placed it on the table to layout cabinet number one and proceded to cut it out. The power had been off all day so no time was lost there. I was like a little kid with a new power tool. I had enough to keep me busy for weeks. My joy turned to sorrow (just like the song) in about 2 minutes however. It seems the plywood manufacturer saves on cost by only gluing the edges of the sheet of plywood. When I made my first cut 10" inside my first sheet the plys opened up like a fan. NO GLUE THERE!!! I made a second cut only to have the 7 plys completely de-laminate. Time to rethink! You don't get refunds in Tanzania. I'm still rethinking and reordering, and re-praying, and wondering if STEMM in Sioux City will cover my $600.00 plus junk delivery. God is Good. This is HIS project I keep telling myself. I'm glad the Architect was with me so I had moral support and lots of laughter over (we'er not in Kansas anymore) I may have to organize a STEMM (TASTE of AFRICA Dinner) fund raiser back home to cover my blunders.
So I spent 2 days placing fence posts instead of cabinet work - was without a vehicle for the duration as the Architect was trying to solve problems of his own with the Government in Arusha - (This is hopeless). Walking to the site and back only takes me 1 hour in full sun at 95 degees F. I now have the skin color of a true Tananian as the dirt sticks nicely to my face and any exposed skin and along with the sweat plus the humidity which is increasing reminds me of a sauna gone bad. I gained back some weight the last 6 weeks but I think it all disappeared on me after two days in that heat. We had to move the fence twice - seems the villagers didn't like the location I started at and after a 1/2 day meeting with the Architect we moved to a new location right down the center of an old ox cart path. Nice and HARD and compacted soil to dig thru. God is Good. I think he must want to test something in the depths of my inner being. The men I work with are so happy to have me back. - I am called " REEE-CHARD! I look up when I am called every minute or so. That's it on the verbal communication end of things. We laugh constantly at the littlest thing especially at my practiced method of using hand signals to explain what is to be done. I have now perfected the art of arm, hand, leg, and finger signals to explain fence layout and construction. Laughter is always accompanied by a little hip action to music wafting thru the site.
The local Lutheran church, 30 feet from the fence, practices their music ministry and dance moves, outside with an amplifier that would make Bob Floss Smile. Their dance session is about 6-7 hours long. Of course, yours truely, stepped up to the challenge and tried to dig holes to the beat of the music with exagerated hip action. I had 100+ kids laughing and eventually got invited to dance with the music team. That really stopped all classes at the church as kids were hanging out the windows watching the muzungu make a fool of himself. I declined their offer of full time employment as a Praise and Worship team member and went back to digging holes for which I have been blessed by God in that fine art instead.
I arrived back in Arusha to go to church Saturday night and will be back at it on Monday Morning. God is Good.
Blessings,
The very tired Fundi Richard - but having a hoot of a time.
Richard
Richard Hildebrand's week 2 of 2nd trip
Hi Folks,
Habari za jeoni,
Had a very busy last week. Monday I proceeded to return the poor plywood (It was taken back in exchange for a higher quality product. Then I had the new lumbercore plywood delivered and had it by noon at the village. I had to be given a ride in a delivery pickup truck that carried the delivery to show them the location. It was a unique experience as the vehicle died after 10 feet or so and I pointed out that they were out of fuel as according to the gas gage. They said that E was for Enough and the problem was with a piece of chicken wire holding a lever under the hood. A bit of twisting and wiggling caused the vehicle to start once again and I was on my way for 30 miles in a most uncomfortable seat as there was nothing left of the cushion and the springs were all but shot supporting the vehicle. It took 2 hours! The Architect and my interpreter stayed back and I worked at the village until Wednesday when they showed up. They both only stayed one night with me so I had basically the entire week being the only Muzungu in the village. It was quiet but with all the villagers wanting to say Hi, I stayed entertained.
We have started the fourth and final side of the fencing project. We ran out of concrete poles and have ordered 120 more and will get delivery in 10 days. I found that with the poles lying on the ground on the fence line, a few of the villagers will come at night and break some of them to get at the steel reinforcement. They then sell the steel and make enough to get a meal. I tried to hurry up and get all that we had delivered into the ground quickly to save as many as possible. The men were very tired as we worked long days in very hot and dusty conditions. Not fun. My head spins at night from the heat and I have to sit for fear of tipping over.
I gave myself a nice break and started the plywood wardrobes for the children. Having cut out patterns and multiple pieces to make 24 on the first production run - I was in the shade, using power tools, and was once again in my element. I hired a local man who happened to show up who introduced himeself as a Fundi. I needed the help so gave him instruction on the use of my power tools. He had not ever used power tools but he quickly found out about saw kick backs, wearing safety glasses and using the drill too fast. I worked with him all day on Friday and Saturday and had a good time. He earned $10 USD for his efforts.
It happened that four Maasi guards stopped to visit me. I was treated to an interesting dance routine of HIGH jumping and deep bass sounds coming somewhere deep in the base of their throat. One offered me a tomato (nya nya) I said "Endio" for yes and off he went. He returned the next day with a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes just for me!!!! I guess I should have tried to explain that I could use two or four for supper and I would have been good to go! He insisted I take all of them so any visitor passing by was treated to nya nya's. Actually I was glad to have something to serve guests.
Erick killed a rat in the courtyard of the place I am staying at - I left the premises when I realized it wasn't a dog. Also the ants found the kitchen and following their trail. I located a nest in the rafters of my bedroom. I called back to Arusha and had them purchase that "Doom" bug killer that landed me in the hospital on my August visit. It worked like a charm. I sprayed and stayed out of the kitchen for a full day. Not a cricket, june bug, grasshopper, rat, or ant was left. They returned in 24 hours but for a moment I was free of crawly things. A June Bug hatch occured this past week and they are everywhere. They get caught in my mosquito net at night and tussle around tring to get off and do the thing that June bugs do. I helped them off my net with a snapply finger flip with the aid of a flashlight to locate them. If I do it just right, they wack the concrete wall, land on the floor, turn upside down, spin a bit and die. I sweep them up twice a day now or I find that the crunching sound they make when stepped on is a bit disgusting. The Juicy ones (most are) that get the shoe, attract more ants and I really don't like ants.
Duct tape goes to bed with me each night now. As the mosquito netting optains holes from what ever reason, I have a patch procedure that works. The mosquitoes are relentless so it's best to sleep with the roll.
No rain yet. The dust is like an Iowa snow storm. You can't see the next building when it gets flying around. Several times a day, I see heat twisters passing by with the cyclone winds picking up the ground vertically in a spiral for a 1000' or so and blackening the sky with dust clouds above. Drought issues are now critical here as well as most of Tanzania. Unicef and other aid organizations are overwhelmed with trying to supply food and water to remote areas. Beautiful farm land that should have Maze growing everywhere is scorched and crops dead on the ground. Here at Mbuguni, we have some irrigated farm land so the area that receives water is producing good crops. God is Good!
At church today in Arusha, an invitation was made to any and all to join the choir for the Christmas program on December 11th. Yours truely has decided to give it a go. I can't make any of the practice sessions during mid week, so they gave me a song book, a cassette of the music and told me I would be fine and very welcome to participate. After all, I will miss our own Christmas program in Milford and who knows, I may even be the only BASS in the choir. After church we headed to a weekend Christmas FAIR at a Safari company grounds on the edge of Arusha. Tents were placed in a huge circle and vendors were selling Art Work. I'm very fortunate that my dear Wife was not in attendance as I would have had to call the bank to cover the purchases. This was real fine art and carvings, furniture, paintings, hand crafted clothing and bead work with the artist present. I however, can make it thru without the temptation of making a purchase. What I usually buy is nails and screws and of course how can I pass up a good power tool but those things were not there.
Been blessed with good health this trip so far. Dean Van Roekel is leaving this Wednesday and I will hold down the fort for the next 4 weeks especially with the capable hands of Erick. Once Dean is gone, Erick will spend his time with me at the village. Dean has had a reaction to something and spent a day in the Salian Hospital as his legs were swelling so bad. He is surviving. For the most part, I have been alone these past two weeks so the change of having Erick around will be welcomed. Little Enoki is my companion now as his sister, Nora, is attending her first year in school. She came by one day only so I miss her. Enoki, age 3. received a pair of shoes and some clothes but he lays on the concrete and plays with that little match box bus toy I gave him. He has brought it with him every day. Finally, all the students at STAR school have gone home yesturday on 2 month summer break. It will be very quiet there for the remainder of my stay.
There is a local water pipe about a kilometer from us and Mama's are milling about with 7 or 8 children waiting to fill a bucket. I stopped and called a Mama over to the vehicle and handed her shoes and shirts and pants for about 10 watotoes (children). She was at first speechless - then the grin started. As we drove off, the sound of, Asanti - Asanti rang in our ears. I too was happy for a moment, then once again after the sounds faded, I started to reflect on my abundance, knowing I could do much more, if only I made the effort.
I pray all is well on the other side of the pond.
Blessings,
Richard
Habari za jeoni,
Had a very busy last week. Monday I proceeded to return the poor plywood (It was taken back in exchange for a higher quality product. Then I had the new lumbercore plywood delivered and had it by noon at the village. I had to be given a ride in a delivery pickup truck that carried the delivery to show them the location. It was a unique experience as the vehicle died after 10 feet or so and I pointed out that they were out of fuel as according to the gas gage. They said that E was for Enough and the problem was with a piece of chicken wire holding a lever under the hood. A bit of twisting and wiggling caused the vehicle to start once again and I was on my way for 30 miles in a most uncomfortable seat as there was nothing left of the cushion and the springs were all but shot supporting the vehicle. It took 2 hours! The Architect and my interpreter stayed back and I worked at the village until Wednesday when they showed up. They both only stayed one night with me so I had basically the entire week being the only Muzungu in the village. It was quiet but with all the villagers wanting to say Hi, I stayed entertained.
We have started the fourth and final side of the fencing project. We ran out of concrete poles and have ordered 120 more and will get delivery in 10 days. I found that with the poles lying on the ground on the fence line, a few of the villagers will come at night and break some of them to get at the steel reinforcement. They then sell the steel and make enough to get a meal. I tried to hurry up and get all that we had delivered into the ground quickly to save as many as possible. The men were very tired as we worked long days in very hot and dusty conditions. Not fun. My head spins at night from the heat and I have to sit for fear of tipping over.
I gave myself a nice break and started the plywood wardrobes for the children. Having cut out patterns and multiple pieces to make 24 on the first production run - I was in the shade, using power tools, and was once again in my element. I hired a local man who happened to show up who introduced himeself as a Fundi. I needed the help so gave him instruction on the use of my power tools. He had not ever used power tools but he quickly found out about saw kick backs, wearing safety glasses and using the drill too fast. I worked with him all day on Friday and Saturday and had a good time. He earned $10 USD for his efforts.
It happened that four Maasi guards stopped to visit me. I was treated to an interesting dance routine of HIGH jumping and deep bass sounds coming somewhere deep in the base of their throat. One offered me a tomato (nya nya) I said "Endio" for yes and off he went. He returned the next day with a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes just for me!!!! I guess I should have tried to explain that I could use two or four for supper and I would have been good to go! He insisted I take all of them so any visitor passing by was treated to nya nya's. Actually I was glad to have something to serve guests.
Erick killed a rat in the courtyard of the place I am staying at - I left the premises when I realized it wasn't a dog. Also the ants found the kitchen and following their trail. I located a nest in the rafters of my bedroom. I called back to Arusha and had them purchase that "Doom" bug killer that landed me in the hospital on my August visit. It worked like a charm. I sprayed and stayed out of the kitchen for a full day. Not a cricket, june bug, grasshopper, rat, or ant was left. They returned in 24 hours but for a moment I was free of crawly things. A June Bug hatch occured this past week and they are everywhere. They get caught in my mosquito net at night and tussle around tring to get off and do the thing that June bugs do. I helped them off my net with a snapply finger flip with the aid of a flashlight to locate them. If I do it just right, they wack the concrete wall, land on the floor, turn upside down, spin a bit and die. I sweep them up twice a day now or I find that the crunching sound they make when stepped on is a bit disgusting. The Juicy ones (most are) that get the shoe, attract more ants and I really don't like ants.
Duct tape goes to bed with me each night now. As the mosquito netting optains holes from what ever reason, I have a patch procedure that works. The mosquitoes are relentless so it's best to sleep with the roll.
No rain yet. The dust is like an Iowa snow storm. You can't see the next building when it gets flying around. Several times a day, I see heat twisters passing by with the cyclone winds picking up the ground vertically in a spiral for a 1000' or so and blackening the sky with dust clouds above. Drought issues are now critical here as well as most of Tanzania. Unicef and other aid organizations are overwhelmed with trying to supply food and water to remote areas. Beautiful farm land that should have Maze growing everywhere is scorched and crops dead on the ground. Here at Mbuguni, we have some irrigated farm land so the area that receives water is producing good crops. God is Good!
At church today in Arusha, an invitation was made to any and all to join the choir for the Christmas program on December 11th. Yours truely has decided to give it a go. I can't make any of the practice sessions during mid week, so they gave me a song book, a cassette of the music and told me I would be fine and very welcome to participate. After all, I will miss our own Christmas program in Milford and who knows, I may even be the only BASS in the choir. After church we headed to a weekend Christmas FAIR at a Safari company grounds on the edge of Arusha. Tents were placed in a huge circle and vendors were selling Art Work. I'm very fortunate that my dear Wife was not in attendance as I would have had to call the bank to cover the purchases. This was real fine art and carvings, furniture, paintings, hand crafted clothing and bead work with the artist present. I however, can make it thru without the temptation of making a purchase. What I usually buy is nails and screws and of course how can I pass up a good power tool but those things were not there.
Been blessed with good health this trip so far. Dean Van Roekel is leaving this Wednesday and I will hold down the fort for the next 4 weeks especially with the capable hands of Erick. Once Dean is gone, Erick will spend his time with me at the village. Dean has had a reaction to something and spent a day in the Salian Hospital as his legs were swelling so bad. He is surviving. For the most part, I have been alone these past two weeks so the change of having Erick around will be welcomed. Little Enoki is my companion now as his sister, Nora, is attending her first year in school. She came by one day only so I miss her. Enoki, age 3. received a pair of shoes and some clothes but he lays on the concrete and plays with that little match box bus toy I gave him. He has brought it with him every day. Finally, all the students at STAR school have gone home yesturday on 2 month summer break. It will be very quiet there for the remainder of my stay.
There is a local water pipe about a kilometer from us and Mama's are milling about with 7 or 8 children waiting to fill a bucket. I stopped and called a Mama over to the vehicle and handed her shoes and shirts and pants for about 10 watotoes (children). She was at first speechless - then the grin started. As we drove off, the sound of, Asanti - Asanti rang in our ears. I too was happy for a moment, then once again after the sounds faded, I started to reflect on my abundance, knowing I could do much more, if only I made the effort.
I pray all is well on the other side of the pond.
Blessings,
Richard
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Bridge at Mbuguni
If you go east from Arusha to Usa River and turn south you will go on a very poor road for about 15 miles to where the road ends. The road gets worse as you go and towards the end there are very large potholes and you best have four wheel drive.
At the end of the road is a very small and poor village called Mbuguni. Also there is a surprisingly large school, Mbuguni Primary, with 20 classrooms and lots of students. I was told both 1200 and 1400 students attend the school, so I'm not sure which is correct, In addition there is a Catholic school nearby and a very special 90 acre tract of land that will some day soon be the location of STEMM's orphanage.
I was told that the children walk very long distances to go to and from school each day, and I believe it, because the nearby Mbuguni villiage is certainly not large enough to have even a small percentage of the students who attend the school. As the children approach the school there is a creek which they must cross and I understand there was a very small bridge that was in such poor condition it could not be used. Therefore the children AND the teachers had to wade the creek.
Two problems: the creek is polluted and in the rainy season it floods to the extent that the flow of water could endanger the children's safety.
Wilson and Gayle Stroscheim noticed the problem when they visited the school to present HIV teaching and the idea of STEMM building a bridge was born.
Wilson arranged for some preliminary work to be done before we arrived. The men of Mbuguni diverted the creek around the location of the bridge site, so that where we built the bridge was dry. We thought we were going to build the bridge ourselves, but the project was so important to the village that the men of Mbuguni, perhaps some 25 or more of them, plus a couple women, pitched in and we found ourselves both watching and working as the locals were eager to do the digging, the forming, carrying rocks, and mixing concrete along with our team members.
Richard Hildebrand was the star of the show. He created the plans for the bridge in his mind, drew the plans so that everyone could understand and visualize the end result and he took charge! His drawings "bridged" (I coundn't pass that up) the language barrier so that the Mbuguni people could see what had to be done as well as we could.
It was neccesary to dig down to provide a base of large rocks and concrete, placed the culverts that allowed for the flow of water through the structure, prepared the forms to receive the concrete while others mixed the concrete. We had a "fire brigade" line of people to pass the concrete in "bowls" from where it was mixed to where it was needed and another line to return the bowls to be filled and passed again. Everyone chipped in to help. It was a very significant demonstration of diverse peoples cooperating on a project that was important to all. The intense sun and the 100+ temps did'nt slow these folks down at all.
The finished bridge is 12 feet wide, can support a vehicle to cross over it, and the stream has been returned to its original path and is flowing throught the culverts. When we left, the approaches on each side had yet to be filled in by the villagers and that has been completed as well. I understand that the approaches are somewhat steep and the folks intend to add more dirt so that the approaches on both sides extend out farther from the bridge so as not to be so steep.
The total cost of material paid for by STEMM was only $1000 USD. Not only did we solve a problem that was of great concern to the locals, but we will have their support in the future as we build the STEMM orphanage just across the road. As we left we took the time to get in a big circle, hold hands and pray, but we also heard a few speaches and what one Mbuguni man said was particular moving. He said, and this does not quote him exactly, "We were impressed that you would buy the materials for the bridge, but we were REALLY impressed by your willingness to joins us in actually doing the work! We cannot thank you enough!"
One more thing that they expressed that amazed them: That we would build their bridge before we built our own structures for the orphage. They must have assumed that we would tend to our own projects first.
In God's Love, Doug wiley
At the end of the road is a very small and poor village called Mbuguni. Also there is a surprisingly large school, Mbuguni Primary, with 20 classrooms and lots of students. I was told both 1200 and 1400 students attend the school, so I'm not sure which is correct, In addition there is a Catholic school nearby and a very special 90 acre tract of land that will some day soon be the location of STEMM's orphanage.
I was told that the children walk very long distances to go to and from school each day, and I believe it, because the nearby Mbuguni villiage is certainly not large enough to have even a small percentage of the students who attend the school. As the children approach the school there is a creek which they must cross and I understand there was a very small bridge that was in such poor condition it could not be used. Therefore the children AND the teachers had to wade the creek.
Two problems: the creek is polluted and in the rainy season it floods to the extent that the flow of water could endanger the children's safety.
Wilson and Gayle Stroscheim noticed the problem when they visited the school to present HIV teaching and the idea of STEMM building a bridge was born.
Wilson arranged for some preliminary work to be done before we arrived. The men of Mbuguni diverted the creek around the location of the bridge site, so that where we built the bridge was dry. We thought we were going to build the bridge ourselves, but the project was so important to the village that the men of Mbuguni, perhaps some 25 or more of them, plus a couple women, pitched in and we found ourselves both watching and working as the locals were eager to do the digging, the forming, carrying rocks, and mixing concrete along with our team members.
Richard Hildebrand was the star of the show. He created the plans for the bridge in his mind, drew the plans so that everyone could understand and visualize the end result and he took charge! His drawings "bridged" (I coundn't pass that up) the language barrier so that the Mbuguni people could see what had to be done as well as we could.
It was neccesary to dig down to provide a base of large rocks and concrete, placed the culverts that allowed for the flow of water through the structure, prepared the forms to receive the concrete while others mixed the concrete. We had a "fire brigade" line of people to pass the concrete in "bowls" from where it was mixed to where it was needed and another line to return the bowls to be filled and passed again. Everyone chipped in to help. It was a very significant demonstration of diverse peoples cooperating on a project that was important to all. The intense sun and the 100+ temps did'nt slow these folks down at all.
The finished bridge is 12 feet wide, can support a vehicle to cross over it, and the stream has been returned to its original path and is flowing throught the culverts. When we left, the approaches on each side had yet to be filled in by the villagers and that has been completed as well. I understand that the approaches are somewhat steep and the folks intend to add more dirt so that the approaches on both sides extend out farther from the bridge so as not to be so steep.
The total cost of material paid for by STEMM was only $1000 USD. Not only did we solve a problem that was of great concern to the locals, but we will have their support in the future as we build the STEMM orphanage just across the road. As we left we took the time to get in a big circle, hold hands and pray, but we also heard a few speaches and what one Mbuguni man said was particular moving. He said, and this does not quote him exactly, "We were impressed that you would buy the materials for the bridge, but we were REALLY impressed by your willingness to joins us in actually doing the work! We cannot thank you enough!"
One more thing that they expressed that amazed them: That we would build their bridge before we built our own structures for the orphage. They must have assumed that we would tend to our own projects first.
In God's Love, Doug wiley
Friday, February 6, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)