No rest for Caroline on Saturday 27th September

Saturday 27^th September  – No rest for Caroline

This was going to be a quiet restful day – so I got up a bit later after the late night adventure – ate some breakfast and then started some exercises .

After 10 minutes or so there was a knock on the door and it was Israel to say the clergy were here on time to collect their cassocks which Andrew Staley had bought out.  They were all so excited to have them – 2 of the clergy had cycled 26 kilometres to come and collect them this morning.  I asked what time they had left but they did not know – I think this absence of time is needed when you have to live a life where you have to cycle 26 kms to get a gift.  So I took a photograph of them all and off they went home again! These are all reminders that we should all be grateful for the comfort and ease that we have in much of life in the West.

Then Joseph announced we were to go and see the commissioner – so no debate this was important and he reminded me to get into a dress to look smart not cut off trousers that I wear around the house!  Fortunately he lives only 15 minutes away so we went with the driver Emmanuel to the commissioner’s compound.   We met in his outdoor dining room as this was his home – he was very friendly and we were given drinks.  I had seen mugs with a lot of powered milk in – this was divided into three – then sugars added (my heart was slightly sinking) and then boiling water added – still looking for the tea bag – no tea bag – I was given mine and Joseph said I had to drink it – I did manage about three mouthfuls but was defeated and I had to apologise it was like sweet Horlicks . The refreshments were cassava sticks and ground nut paste – this was OK!

We had a good conversation and he was very friendly and appreciative of all that Cress is doing – then it was photos and off only after Joseph had invited him to Liwolo tomorrow!  So another big day in Liwolo!

Then as soon as I got back to the college it was straight to Fred and Irene for the delayed coffee break – they were expecting me and there was baby Jothan in his special anti mosquito bed lying peacefully asleep – more food – hard boiled egg and also fried ground nuts delicious ! and coffee.  Photos, video clips to Di jeans their son Jovan’s sponsor who was playing with the car that she gave him – then prayers and I am off back to Bishop’s house.

Work on Cress clinic staff’s contracts –  Joseph comes to lunch – more work then feel so tired take an hour’s rest! Next visit nice cool disused UN compound in town but their fridge has broken so no cold sodas – send driver into town to get me cold Pepsi and after sitting talking for 2 hours and a cold Pepsi I feel better.  Off again this time to see Israel’s compound where his wife has been doing some amazing gardening/ farming. She has been going to Yango’s farm school and in just  5 months has grown a huge amount of new crops such as a field of onions, tomatoes, ochre, water melons – she sold some water melon and bought gumboots and a sprayer (they make their own organic pest spray).  So much change in such a short space of time – this makes me feel if we can get this Send A Cow style farm groups going we will see a huge transformation.

Starts to rain – darkness arriving so we drop them back at their compound as we had driven to her bigger field and she gives us the sodas she had planned we would have had with them – sadly no time – everyone wants me to go to their homes.  We then travel in the dark to Jale’s home to talk with him about his son that is sponsored and has sickle cell disease and who has now been identified as having Hepatitis – so we talk and say send the results when you know what type of Hepatitis it is.

Then drop off Joseph and I go back to Bishop’s house with driver Emmanuel who joins me for supper – huge meal again but nice as I eat omelette and avocado.

Now need to look at my talk for tomorrow!  Joseph has arranged that the service will have in it;

1. The history of the clinic delivered and recorded by Joseph and myself
2. Their baby’s Esther’s baptism
3. Certificates given to the 25 Sunday school teachers who attended the course last week
4. And the Commissioner is coming who will also speak

It is going to be a long service!!  Consequently I have asked that when we arrive at Liwolo we have tea and biscuits to fortify us before the marathon service, the clinic visit and staff and committee meetings, as we shall not eat until around 4pm!

Monday is home day – those who pray could you pray that there are no storms to stop my MAF flight in the afternoon before my night flight!  Thank you – lets see what happens in Liwolo tomorrow!

Caroline Lamb