This blog entry has been a work in progress so it covers things we have been doing over the last three weeks.
Our trip to Tchincombe farm went well. The drive is a bit of an adventure even though the first 100 kilometers is very nice (new) blacktop highway. Once we got close to a little place called Dongue, we turned east and the road sort of disappeared and turned into a trail through the bush. Mostly two ruts in loose sand. We were very glad to have four wheel drive, might still be out there without it! The Toyotas we were driving have a slightly narrower track than most of the vehicles that use the road so we sort of weaved back and forth as we went. Going out the trip took four hours….to go about 200 kilometers…..and the first 100 took about an hour. Slow going in the deep sand.
ROAD TO TCHINCOMBEInspite of the drive out, we did enjoy the journey and the visit with Donna and Sterling Foster who run the farm. We got to go for a drive around the farm to look at the cattle that they raise and the way they work with the local people. We also got to see the new airstrip that is under construction. It is hoped that it will be in service within a year.
RELAXING AT THE FARM
We were blessed with the visit from the CEO of MAF Canada, Mark Outerbridge and his wife Colleen and a MAF board member Cheryl Polenenko and her husband John. John and Cheryl stayed with us and we enjoyed getting to know them and hear of their involvement with MAF through the years. Barb was able to join them on a flight to Mokwondo and Kalekembe.
Tammy&Gary, Barb& Tim, Cheryl, Colleen & Mark
I stayed in Lubango as Basilio and I were working on some projects at the hangar getting ready for an upcoming inspection as well as replacing a radiator in one of the trucks and replacing a hot water heater in one of the houses. These type of repairs take a long time because you have to go many places to find the parts and supplies that you need. As Basilio told me, “in Angola a store does not just sell one thing, but many things, maybe food, plumbing parts, shoes and maybe car parts. So we must go and find what we need.” One store where we bought some plumbing supplies sells aluminum ladders, electrical supplies, welding supplies, tile, seeds for the garden and lingerie. Things are growing, we visited at least three new shops that sell some car parts that weren’t here when we came in August…but that means that there are now three more shops that must be checked when looking for car parts! The other custom that slows the search is that all the shops close between noon and two o’clock…..give or take……. Half an hour to an hour. The upside is that the traffic is better when the shops are closed.
This morning we went to an outdoor service at a soccer stadium where 26 newly graduated pastors were commissioned. It was quite impressive but we weren’t able to take any photos as we were seated directly behind the Minister of Defense for Angola and the Governor of Huila Province (where we live). When we came in, the ladies were in front and one of the officials asked who they were with, our friend pointed to Barb and said she was with MAF so he took them to the main grandstand, center stage, directly behind the Minister of Defense. We were honored, (and very thankful as we were seated in chairs in the shade with a nice breeze!) It started before 10:00 and they were just coming up to the message when we slipped out shortly after 12:30.
We now have less than two weeks before we leave Angola. We will be making a side trip to South Africa on our way home. Tim has been asked to do an inspection on a Canadian registered aircraft in Nelspruit. We will be about a week there and then fly into Vancouver on Nov 24.
Prayer Requests
For Tim as he completes the work on the airplane
For swift delivery of parts that haven't yet arrived
Safety as we travel
Our preperations to leave and as we say good by to friends here.
Our flat at Mercy Air called "Rock Flat".
