Salima

Tuesday morning we awoke to the dreaded sound of the neighbor's generator - meaning no power for us! Oh well, we left for Salima, stopping to try to find petrol (there was none) before leaving Lilongwe. We also stopped at the two stations between here and our destination - still no petrol. We had planned to stay with the Masekos, but thought they had visitors from Kansas, so we instead went to a small lodge on the lake, Kukuza. Very picturesque, set right on the lake shore, with little rondavels for rooms. You have to know how to find it, as it is the last place on a narrow dirt road that winds it's way through villages. It is cheap, but... by nightfall it loses it's charm - no generator and when the power is out, it's out. (It did come back on however). The water was luke warm at best, the towels were the size of tea towels, the beds were so hard it was almost like sleeping on the floor and the pillows were terrible. We have actually stayed here before.. I think we just forgot how brutal is was! But the view is amazing!! We saw Emma, Alpha and Wezzie Maseko on Tuesday, but Peter was in Lilongwe trying to sort out the container with the medical supplies and buy some more building supplies. Wednesday morning we took a short walk along the lake. Of course, a 'vendor' spotted us and took us to his 'shop' where a group of the guys gathered. So funny, a couple of them remembered us from years past. We managed to NOT buy anything but the hippo molars were tempting! We walked to Kambiri lodge for breakfast. We were going to have tea in our rondavel, but when the water came out of the tap brown, we decided against it! Kambiri is a big lodge, primarily frequented by Africans (although we have stayed there several times). I ordered tea and toast. It took a long time for the toast - finally the waiter came out and said they had sent for bread, to wait a little longer. At last he came over and said they had sent someone to town for bread but it was 'finished'. Only in Africa! They gave me 'African cake' instead. Apparently it is corn meal, oil, water, soda and some sugar. It was interesting. I didn't eat it all. The manager came to speak to us. Turns out they have no one in the lodge! And this was a holiday (Independence day, July 6) so they should have been busy. We were also the only people at Kukuza and we were also the only azungus (white people) we saw on that entire end of the beach. It seems the fuel crisis is causing a huge crunch on people traveling and on tourism. It is sad because the lodge owners and workers have empty buildings, meaning soon no jobs. Pray that the fuel crisis will be worked out here!

We went to the Maseko's for lunch -Peter, wife Emma, littlest girl Alpha and daughter Wezzie. We had a nice visit, then went to the project. For those of you who are not aware, my 'African' daughter Anne is building, in cooperation with a couple of mission organizations, an orphanage, a school and a clinic. Phase one of the clinic is outpatient and is close to being finished. For the orphanage, they have the church / school and dining hall almost done and 5 duplexes (to house 100 orphans) almost done. It is much more difficult in third world countries that have little to no infrastructure - you have to supply your own water and septic systems. You have to arrange a special agreement with the electric company to run power to your place, and you should have a generator back up (oops - that means diesel or petrol, another issue). Peter and his workmen have made amazing progress in the last year. Peter is still awaiting the container from the US with the medical supplies. While we were touring the project, we 'picked up' some little spectators - they followed us around, giggling at us all - well, mainly at the two azungus! On the way home to Lilongwe, again we looked for petrol with no success. We noted that the minibuses, motolas (trucks that transport people in the back) and the big national buses were all filled to overflowing. The fuel crunch is felt everywhere! On the outskirts of Lilongwe, the battery, transmission and transmission oil light all came on. We pulled over and Joseph checked the engine - looks like a belt broke. We managed to limp to ABC, get another car (thanks to David Epperson). We will return in the morning to take our car - if it starts- to the local shop to have it fixed. African roads are very hard on cars!

Looks like our tomorrow (Thursday) will be spent in part on car issues! It is a never ending problem here. Finding fuel will be high on our list, too!

I am thankful that Joseph is here and can look at a car engine and figure stuff out.

I am thankful we made the trip to Salima and back with minimal problems.

I am thankful for the committment of Peter and his family to help the orphans and the ill in his country.

I am thankful that little Anatasia is holding her own in the inpatient ward!

Pictures: Joseph in the new borrowed car - a Nissan March - I mean, this car is tiny! We bottom out on the speed bumps! A motola loaded down with people and goods, being passed by another van. Our group of onlookers at the clinic -they are really serious when it comes to taking their photo!! Lastly, Peter showing off one of the flush squatty potties at the clinic.

Prayer requests: fuel crisis to lessen, continued travel safety, little Anatashia in the inpatient ward.

Oh, if you are my friend on facebook, you will find many more photos!