True Grit; Many years ago I watched a Western entitled “True Grit”. 
Josie and I were talking recently about the peanut butter that the locals make here. Our first batch was entitled “True grit” because the harvested crop is processed directly on the ground, and small stones and grit find their way into the product. The good news is that Josie has now located a lady who makes and sells No-Grit peanut butter. So goodbye grit!
Josie and I were talking recently about the peanut butter that the locals make here. Our first batch was entitled “True grit” because the harvested crop is processed directly on the ground, and small stones and grit find their way into the product. The good news is that Josie has now located a lady who makes and sells No-Grit peanut butter. So goodbye grit! New bird species; We have seen several new birds in the bush. One of those looks like a shrike of some kind, and goes about in a small group – 4 or 5 individuals. I also saw a pair of vultures circling above us on the jobsite a couple days ago. There are some awesome 
sugar bird species here. One small black one has a pair of long tail feathers. Two Friday nights ago I rode 3km into the bush on my moto and saw a pair of Hoopoos. The brick color on the body is lighter than that of the African Hoopoo. I think the bird book lists them as Abyssinian Hoopoos. We also saw a plover – may be a crowned plover. There are many blue waxbills in the bush – a very small seedeater. The latest species is a type of Barbett, with a very light-colored head, and black and white spots on the wings when the bird is in flight. Many of the birds we see here are those we know from South Africa – their range is great on the map.
sugar bird species here. One small black one has a pair of long tail feathers. Two Friday nights ago I rode 3km into the bush on my moto and saw a pair of Hoopoos. The brick color on the body is lighter than that of the African Hoopoo. I think the bird book lists them as Abyssinian Hoopoos. We also saw a plover – may be a crowned plover. There are many blue waxbills in the bush – a very small seedeater. The latest species is a type of Barbett, with a very light-colored head, and black and white spots on the wings when the bird is in flight. Many of the birds we see here are those we know from South Africa – their range is great on the map. Arab cattle herders; A couple weeks ago us guys had the opportunity to meet some real Arab herdmen. We were out on the jobsite when we saw about 150 head of long-horn cattle coming thru the bush, right past the project we were working on. The cattle were moving Westward 
toward the setting sun, and were being driven along at a walking pace by half a dozen herdmen. So we downed tools and went out to greet them. I have noticed, from day one in Chad, that most of the Arab herdmen carry bows – and I have wondered where are the arrows? These guys were friendly, and we greeted them with a handshake. I commented on a bow that one was holding, and asked about the arrows. The man didn’t speak English, but understood what I was asking. He proceeded to show me a closed-lid cylindrical quiver, that held about 15 arrows, strapped over his shoulder, but hidden at chest level under his outer garment. I asked if I could look at an arrow, and he withdrew one. The wood shaft was painted bright orange, obviously for visibility, after shooting. The point of the arrow was thus: a steel shaft, about 1/8” diameter and 5” long was attached to the wood shaft and had a sharpened, flat triangular-shaped head with barbs directly behind the business end. Deadly! I don’t want to be on the receiving end of one of those. Only one of the 6 Arabs could speak English – he was at the tail end of the herd. He was a wild-looking man, and was shouting for the others to get a move on. When he reached us I asked him where they were headed. He answered, Cameroon. I asked how long they would take to get there, and he replied, 3 weeks. They live off the land and sell the herd in Cameroon, then return – again on foot – a type of nomadic existence. Still, it was all very interesting. One of our guys asked if he could take a few pics. They agreed (not usual with Arabs) and he got some pics with his I-phone.
toward the setting sun, and were being driven along at a walking pace by half a dozen herdmen. So we downed tools and went out to greet them. I have noticed, from day one in Chad, that most of the Arab herdmen carry bows – and I have wondered where are the arrows? These guys were friendly, and we greeted them with a handshake. I commented on a bow that one was holding, and asked about the arrows. The man didn’t speak English, but understood what I was asking. He proceeded to show me a closed-lid cylindrical quiver, that held about 15 arrows, strapped over his shoulder, but hidden at chest level under his outer garment. I asked if I could look at an arrow, and he withdrew one. The wood shaft was painted bright orange, obviously for visibility, after shooting. The point of the arrow was thus: a steel shaft, about 1/8” diameter and 5” long was attached to the wood shaft and had a sharpened, flat triangular-shaped head with barbs directly behind the business end. Deadly! I don’t want to be on the receiving end of one of those. Only one of the 6 Arabs could speak English – he was at the tail end of the herd. He was a wild-looking man, and was shouting for the others to get a move on. When he reached us I asked him where they were headed. He answered, Cameroon. I asked how long they would take to get there, and he replied, 3 weeks. They live off the land and sell the herd in Cameroon, then return – again on foot – a type of nomadic existence. Still, it was all very interesting. One of our guys asked if he could take a few pics. They agreed (not usual with Arabs) and he got some pics with his I-phone. Dust in the air; There has recently been quite a bit of dust in the air, a result of the strong winds 
blowing from the N/E off the Sahara Desert. Just a couple days ago I found myself on the outskirts of a dust twister. I could hear it coming thru the village before I saw it, and palm tree branches were swaying wildly. There’s a lot of power in these things. One of the guys here has seen a twister lifting crop stalks from the fields and other large bits, as they flew thru the air. When there’s a high concentration of dust particles in the air, the daytime temperatures are cooler due to the weaker sunlight.
blowing from the N/E off the Sahara Desert. Just a couple days ago I found myself on the outskirts of a dust twister. I could hear it coming thru the village before I saw it, and palm tree branches were swaying wildly. There’s a lot of power in these things. One of the guys here has seen a twister lifting crop stalks from the fields and other large bits, as they flew thru the air. When there’s a high concentration of dust particles in the air, the daytime temperatures are cooler due to the weaker sunlight. Southern Cross; We have located the Southern Cross Constellation (Go, Aussies!)
during the early hours of the morning, when we rise to visit the outhouse. This constellation travels on a very short arc on the horizon, in the extreme southern sky. It’s good to still be able to see Orion and the Big Dipper. We are about 8 degrees off the Equator.
during the early hours of the morning, when we rise to visit the outhouse. This constellation travels on a very short arc on the horizon, in the extreme southern sky. It’s good to still be able to see Orion and the Big Dipper. We are about 8 degrees off the Equator. Monkey; Three weeks ago, the team brought back a baby monkey from the Branch Sabbath School at Dabgue. The native children brought it to Gary there. The mother had been killed in a hunt, and the baby was an orphan. Gary has had monkey pets before, and so his family is raising this one, to return it to the wild someday.
Sleeping outdoors; Three of the guys on the team have taken to sleeping on straw beds on top of the large steel shipping containers that surround the hangar, about ¼ mile from us. They like the cool night air, and string up their mosquito nets each night. Kel wants to spend a night sleeping out in the bush soon. Josie probably won’t be along. There are several night birds to be seen, and probably a few snakes, centipedes and scorpions, too, to add to the spice of life.
Another visitor; We have had several “nightly visitors” in our hut. The latest being a desert mouse. This little gray mouse has a paddle tail like a chipmunk, and has large, beady eyes that help it see in the dark. Those who know the African Bush Baby will know what I’m talking about. The mouse reminds me of a very small bush baby. He visits us by coming down the wooden pole beams of our hut. We’ve seen him now on 2 occasions. Josie must have something in her kitchen area that he likes.
Motor Cycle Hassles; Well, the moto has given Kel some more worries and work to repair. The rear wheel drive system has had issues. The sprocket drive cluster had a broken lug (one of four, completely sheared off) and the rubber cushions on the 4 lugs have all collapsed - this after only 1,000 km on the bike. We thank the Chinese for their sub-standard engineering productions. Actually, the cluster on my moto is an upgrade of the previous model. We replaced Jonathan’s moto cluster cushions about 6 weeks ago, and personally I think the earlier model had a better system. What can we do, but go to the market and get a new part and do the work. So far, so good, 200 km later - “Genuine Chinese Junk”.
Humidity rolls in Yesterday; Wednesday, we experienced the first batch of humidity, as winds from the South blew all night and brought us a hot, humid night, with little rest. Last night we slept with wet shirts over us, for some relief - it helps. Also, during the day this week Kel and the guys have been wetting their T-shirts on the job to keep cool. Sometimes it takes 3 wettings to get thru the afternoon shift – the hot air dries shirts quickly.
School daze; Also yesterday, Wednesday, was the day the principal at the Ecole Adventiste (elementary school) selected for Josie to give the music exam. She had the questions all ready the Friday before, so she and Frederick (our Chadian French teacher/translator) went to the school on that Friday to show the principal what had been prepared. He suggested giving the exam to the older children, and we agreed. So Wednesday morning Josie and Frederick began in the 5th grade room by passing out a sheet of notebook paper to each child. Josie drew the music staffs on the blackboard, and Frederick translated the questions. Next we went to the 6th grade room, and Frederick was really getting into it. The 3rd and 4th grades were next, but the exam was oral, so the grade given was for each group. The 1st and 2nd graders were given marks based on their cooperation during class times. Josie needs to grade the papers and hopes to keep some of them for memories.
Keep courage – Maranatha! Jesus is coming.
Kel & Josie.
Hi Kelly and Josie, have been following your blog - makes me long to be back in Africa. Soon... soon...
ReplyDeleteWe have been trying to get hold of Gary Roberts, to find out what the needs are in Namibia as the area is highlighted as a project area. Claude and I spoke with David Gates when he was here in Lacombe, Alberta and he gave me Gary's phone no. so that we can touch base and find out what the needs are. Please let him know I have sent an email if he could reply that would be wonderful.
Your days are certainly eventful and blessed, we pray that you may through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your lives, achieve all that He wants you to.
Blessings
Lisette