Saturday, July 9, 2011

Petrol at last





When we got back from the lake, it appears that we brought an un-invited guest - some sort of GI upset. Joseph and I have been trying to take it easy the last few days until we get over this - maybe the brown water from Kukuza lodge? Or the water from Kambiri? Whatever the culprit, we are ready to be done with this! Thursday we did check on a couple of the kids in Tiyamike ward at ABC - Jonas was going home Friday with medications and bandages, with his dad ready and willing to do his wound care. Anatashia is holding her own, but still so tiny! Hopefully the tube feedings will help to fill her out.
Friday we saw posted on Lilongwe chat that there was to be petrol delivered at Crossroads BP at ~noon. As it is so close by, we drove up there about 3 PM. The truck was delivering the fuel, but the line was not too terribly long. We got in line and waited. Watching the fuel queues is an interesting activity in itself. Seeing cars and trucks jockey for position. Folks trying to take a short cut through the congested parking lot, and then upset because no one will get out of line to let them through. Drivers going against traffic flow. Horns honking (oh, yes, that helps the general mood). All in all, not a bad wait of about an hour. We got a full tank of petrol in our loaner car. While we were in line we got a call - our car should be ready Monday, with a bill a little over $400. The African roads are brutal on cars. The really good news - the power did NOT go off at 4 o'clock as Escom stated would be the case. We did lose power, but not until 5:30 and then just for a couple of hours. Later Friday we paid a visit to a missionary friend who has been under the weather also, and took him some medications. While there we got a call from Michelle Clark, a missionary mentioned in earlier posts. One of the children from the village near her has a nasty burn on her foot. We agreed to travel to her place Sat. to check the child.
Today (Sat) we drove to her place. Joseph ended up doing a little plumbing consultation for Michelle while we were waiting for the child to come. Once she got there, we cleaned her foot and bandaged her. She is about 1 year old and has a very nasty cooking oil burn to about 1/2 of the top of her left foot. We were so busy dealing with her (she was not a happy camper) that I did not even take a photo of her and Mom! We left supplies with Michelle, who will bandage daily for a few days and give us updates on her condition.
Lastly, as we have been lying low for the past few days, and as the power is out for a few hours every evening, I taught Joseph how to play Scrabble. We can play by the light of the hurricane lamps. Well, either I am an awesome instructor or he is a quick study - after the first three games (that I won), he has beat me for three straight games. We took the photo after the second game he won.
Tomorrow is church and another day of rest.

We are thankful that we found fuel, that we had medicines to give to our friend and to treat the little burn victim. We are thankful that the country remains at peace, even in the face of the fuel crisis and all it entails.
Prayer needs: that we get well! (This is more annoying than actually serious). That we get our car back Monday, with its 1/4 fuel tank and find more fuel!

Pictures: Joseph sitting in our tiny loaner car, waiting in the fuel line. Notice he has on a jacket. It is cold here! The fuel queue - the sky is overcast and has been so for a few days, keeping it cold here during the day as well as at night. Joseph after his plumbing consultation with his legs and jacket covered with concrete dust. Lastly, a very proud Joseph, showing off the Scrabble board after his second win.

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