Sand and water

Thursday 1 March 2012

I (Jim) drank a gallon of water today.  I helped a young Congolese man move almost 3-4 tons of sand from the front yard to the back in preparation for making the concrete blocks.  We worked for almost four hours, and even though we were in the shade, it was still very hot.  Drinking lots of water prevented me from having to quit before the job was done.  Initially, the lad was carrying the sand in a bucket on his head around the house and I was shoveling.  We then got mechanized when his Mom, Georgette, who is the housekeeper and cook for Jacques, sent word around the immediate neighborhood that a wheelbarrow was needed before the white man collapsed.  One showed up, tied to the back rack of a bike, and we were in business.  I think the block makers will be working while we are up country, but hope to observe and maybe learn a new skill.

 

Water from the roof tank

 

 

Water from the cistern



 

Every few days the water in the large water barrels in the guest house bathrooms has to be refilled.  Today they were refilled from both the tank on the top of Akasa’s roof and from the cistern in their yard.  We both helped Victor, but he did most of the work.



Water delivery to the guesthouse



 

Simon and Jim

Simon left today for Tshombe, flying away in his Wings of Hope plane, to the Catholic Mission where he is based.  We may see him again, we don’t know.

The moon is really bright here tonight and it is only half full.  There are no city lights to interfere and very few lanterns or other lights.  It is also very quiet at night or at least until the men's choir at the UMC Church across the street starts practicing at around 0400 most days of the week.

There is a marked absence of dogs barking or other animals, at least until Jacques' chickens let out their morning calls, but even these seem somewhat subdued compared to the Zim rosters and chickens.

 

Our chariot to the missions



We fly up country early Saturday morning and will not be back until Tuesday afternoon.  We will be visiting the three UMC hospitals and attending church at the largest UMC Mission in the Central Conference of the DRC. 

Interior of the Cessna