It has been quite a while since I have posted on here. Somewhere around 2 weeks I believe. Finding time now is becoming harder. So I can just wake up earlier and write it in the morning.
Let me tell you what has been going on.
A mission group came here from the States at the beginning of August. They stayed here for 7 days. We had a lot to accomplish during that time. There was a total of 2 medical professionals and 1 medically trained person. So we were definitely doing medical clinics. The total for the trip was 10 people, which was quite a bit.
We had 3 cars come in total to pick them from the airport and we headed back to Bowe. Once we got there we showed them around and then headed to the pharmacy to prepare for the rural medical clinics during the week.
We had planned for 4 medical clinics but it turned into much more than that. The group arrived on Tuesday and we started Wednesday. Wednesday through Friday we spent time in the bush doing medical clinics there. There was quite a few sick people and they all got treated.
The first day though we went to a village called Chipuku and when we got there, nobody was there. I was in a state of confusion, not sure why nobody was there. Then we figured out there was a funeral and everyone had gone to it. One of the few things Malawians don't mess about with is funerals. But the people finally came and we were swamped.
Saturday we held clinic at Bowe, where we saw a bunch of people also. Tom, one of the men on the mission trip (he also came last year), taught Araceli and I how to survey (I will explain later why this was important). So we took a bit of time out and were walking around with the equipment, surveying the land.
Sunday was great. We all packed up into the truck and headed to Phoka. They were having first holy communion out there (not the same type of ceremony in America) but still the same steps. About 8 of us went out there and it was great fun. The villagers were expecting us so they had been practicing some of the songs in English. I was quite impressed when I heard, "Holy, Holy, Holy" versus ,"Njitua, Njitua, Njitua". It was very touching that they did this for us. The rest of mass was great and we ended up having lunch there also. The meal was great.
When we returned on Sunday Scott headed down to the dam to check it out while I took some of the group for a little mountain climb. They really enjoyed it and it was nice to get some exercise in.
Monday we did a medical clinic again in the bush and Tuesday we were busy with meetings. Wednesday we headed to the lake to relax a bit and that was a lot of fun. Alex, Tom's son, and I went out into the lake for a bit of a swim. We could never figure out if there were crocodiles or not but we just hoped not. Later we found out that yes there was, but we were lucky. We ended the night with a volleyball game and some good chow.
We took the group to the airport the next day and saw them off. It was sad to see all of them go.
The rest of the weekend was just organizing and meeting with Ray.
During all of this we were organizing for Kasese. Organizing to move to Kasese. Meeting and making lists about all that which we had to do at Kasese. This is where life got busy, but a good type of busy.
After the weekend passed we had a lot of work to do. We started surveying Kasese and making a conditions report of everything which we needed to fix. There are a few things we are focusing on there which is the house for Araceli and I, a Mission house for mission trips and the site itself. It is quite an undertaking.
Last week we spent time driving around getting quotations on supplies and contacting vendors and having meetings.
I have chatted with Little E here and we have put a timeline on our time at Bowe. We have said that within 2 weeks, Araceli and I will be moved out of here and into the new place. This will work very well. Although there is still a lot of work to do, plus removing thousands of bats from the attic space of Kasese will be not the most fun.
But it will all get done and we are having a blast doing all of it.
We are heading out today to prepare for the bat removal this week and along with that set up for the painters to come out and give an assessment. Plus the termite guy is coming out to inject poison around the buildings for termites. Plus the plumber will come out to give an assessment. I am quite excited.
Apologies for the delay in writing this post but life got busy busy.
Let me tell you what has been going on.
A mission group came here from the States at the beginning of August. They stayed here for 7 days. We had a lot to accomplish during that time. There was a total of 2 medical professionals and 1 medically trained person. So we were definitely doing medical clinics. The total for the trip was 10 people, which was quite a bit.
We had 3 cars come in total to pick them from the airport and we headed back to Bowe. Once we got there we showed them around and then headed to the pharmacy to prepare for the rural medical clinics during the week.
We had planned for 4 medical clinics but it turned into much more than that. The group arrived on Tuesday and we started Wednesday. Wednesday through Friday we spent time in the bush doing medical clinics there. There was quite a few sick people and they all got treated.
The first day though we went to a village called Chipuku and when we got there, nobody was there. I was in a state of confusion, not sure why nobody was there. Then we figured out there was a funeral and everyone had gone to it. One of the few things Malawians don't mess about with is funerals. But the people finally came and we were swamped.
the group at the Chipuku church
Saturday we held clinic at Bowe, where we saw a bunch of people also. Tom, one of the men on the mission trip (he also came last year), taught Araceli and I how to survey (I will explain later why this was important). So we took a bit of time out and were walking around with the equipment, surveying the land.
a medical clinic at Kamutuwale
All of us at mass in Phoka
On top of the mountain
Descending the mountain
Monday we did a medical clinic again in the bush and Tuesday we were busy with meetings. Wednesday we headed to the lake to relax a bit and that was a lot of fun. Alex, Tom's son, and I went out into the lake for a bit of a swim. We could never figure out if there were crocodiles or not but we just hoped not. Later we found out that yes there was, but we were lucky. We ended the night with a volleyball game and some good chow.
We took the group to the airport the next day and saw them off. It was sad to see all of them go.
The rest of the weekend was just organizing and meeting with Ray.
During all of this we were organizing for Kasese. Organizing to move to Kasese. Meeting and making lists about all that which we had to do at Kasese. This is where life got busy, but a good type of busy.
After the weekend passed we had a lot of work to do. We started surveying Kasese and making a conditions report of everything which we needed to fix. There are a few things we are focusing on there which is the house for Araceli and I, a Mission house for mission trips and the site itself. It is quite an undertaking.
Last week we spent time driving around getting quotations on supplies and contacting vendors and having meetings.
60,000 Gallon water tank near Kasese
All in the middle of it I got pulled over by a inept police woman who tried to convince me that the make and model of the vehicle, including the year of production was all included on a piece of paper attached to the seat belt. Well we argued for a bit and I told her that was not the case. So she searched the car trying to find a ticket to give me and she finally did. It was a little upsetting but I could not do much.I have chatted with Little E here and we have put a timeline on our time at Bowe. We have said that within 2 weeks, Araceli and I will be moved out of here and into the new place. This will work very well. Although there is still a lot of work to do, plus removing thousands of bats from the attic space of Kasese will be not the most fun.
But it will all get done and we are having a blast doing all of it.
We are heading out today to prepare for the bat removal this week and along with that set up for the painters to come out and give an assessment. Plus the termite guy is coming out to inject poison around the buildings for termites. Plus the plumber will come out to give an assessment. I am quite excited.
A day at the lake
Wow! You all have been really busy. It's good to hear what you have been doing. I like the last picture the best!
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