In a flap

Apparently the country’s president is coming to the area for a visit next week, so this part of the world is all in a flap. Heads of departments rushing here and there organizing details, calling meetings, briefing underlings on protocol, and so on. I was thinking today that the mess and disarray left in the wake of a celebration is but a shadow of chaos that took place to organize it in the first place. But then, it’s not every day the president pays a visit.

Yesterday, one of the socorristas (health workers) was gone half the day to attend a briefing related to the visit. This morning, our devotional time was followed by an animated discussion about how many people the truck could haul (this in response to a special request to transport people for the event). One guy piped up with, “Nearly 200 people can fit on the back of the truck. Over 150, that’s for sure.” Another guy said, “I think about 50. Well, maybe 100.” No one seemed to know for sure, so it was decided that a trial load should be done with all the staff present so we could come up with a more definite number.

At that, everyone headed over to the truck and a “trial pack” was done.

All I had to take a photo with at the time was my Nokia—hence the lousy photo quality. After a fair bit of scootching and foot shuffling, we had a clearer idea of how many people would fit.


So the plan is that those going will head out on Sunday, stay overnight closer to the town receiving the visit, then be there early Monday morning. Yep, quite the kerfluff.

Since I didn’t make it to the school clinic last week, I decided to pop over yesterday while I had a chance and get a few things done.

For one thing, the windows desperately need curtains. But before you can hang curtains, you need to measure the windows. There were other tasks to attend to as well, but amid the other tasks, we got the windows measured and did up a “shopping list” of still-needed items. Some of the supplies are available right there in the bush, like wooden sticks to hang the curtains from. Someone just has to go out, measure some branches, chop them down, lay them out to dry for a few weeks, sand them smooth, and voila. It’s just that easy ☺

Windows without curtains are wonderful to look through, and so, our every movement inside is watched with intense curiosity.

Cute much of the time but not so nice for privacy for the patients!


On the way home, the late afternoon sky was wonderful! I couldn’t help taking a few shots.


I LOVE it when the African sky gets smudgy.

A few shots of other excitement around here:

“No littering please.”

I think we’re the first place nationwide that offers a public trash can. And one that keeps the rain out and that you just tip a bit to empty. How ingenious. (Thanks, Andy)

“Welding Hour”

Because the welder draws quite a bit of electricity from our diesel generator, some of the other breakers have to go off while it’s at work welding ox carts and bicycles. One of the things that goes off is our internet. As you can imagine, everyone knows (or soon discovers) when welding hour is. We definitely need our maintenance/work shop!

This morning there were two boys in staff meeting. They didn’t stay long since they had just come by to pick up study books that Dwight picked up in town the other day. They were very pleased to get them. They want the books. They like books. They like school. Imagine that!

And with that, I better run along. Someone’s at the door…something to do with the president’s visit. Like I said, this part of the world is all in a flap right now.