My Introduction to Africa

Dear Everyone,

I thought I'd drop you my first real blog from out in the middle of nowhere!
So much has happened this first week I don't know where to start... I guess I'll start at the beginning!

The flight was 6 hours and very cramped but I did have the company of two films and Julian (ACTB charity), which helped the time to pass more bearably! The moment I got out of the plane I was in awe as I was met by a beautiful black starry night over mountain tops and even the heat of the engine blowing in my face couldn't ruin it! However by the time I had reached the bottom of the steps I realized that it was not the engine but the night breeze!

The airport was interesting, the passport checkers managed to spend about 5 minutes per person, which gave me my first encounter of 'African time'. Once we got past that hurdle we were met by about 20 Africans all wanting to be the one to carry our bags, which made me a little paranoid and got me thinking that it would be a miracle if I had all my bags by the time I got to my new home! However God proved himself yet again a faithful God!

My first trip in the car was to a hotel in Freetown, I've never seen such roads in my worst nightmare. The horn is used a thousand time more than any indicator and the roads have gaping holes, which, on the plus side, give a pedestrian the opportunity to dive into them for protection if a car goes out of control!!

My first night was a pleasant one with air conditioning and a double bed. Then in the morning there was a cooked breakfast and a swim in one of the two swimming pools. This was going to be my last night of 'normality' or as I was about to learn 'luxury'. After the lazy morning swimming we started the first of what will be many trips between Freetown and Rogberay (home). The trip was a mixture of tarmac and potholes, the scenery was breath taking with lush green in contrast with fiery reds and sun inspired yellows. Yet amongst all this beauty there was extreme poverty with shanty houses scattered about the country side. There are woman working a 12 hour day chipping away at large chunks of granite for the passing cement trucks. All through this week I've been constantly surprised of what these amazing people do for just a little bit of money!

Once we got to the junction, which leads to the house, we came up against the most challenging part of the journey. In comparison, this road put all other roads I had experienced that day in the motorway class. I was amazed the 4x4 managed to make it. There was hardly one moment when your bum was on the seat. I thought I should write to Top Gear to say if you want another way to wreck a car and don't want to clear it up, just drive it down this road and leave it when it breaks, which it will, then the locals will completely strip it, either to sell or use for parts.

After about three miles we reached the house. It's a lovely house surrounded by palm trees with a clearing of about 20 metres around it so that it makes it easier to watch for cobras and other snakes. I'm yet to meet a cobra or tarantula (the most poisonous animals in SL) but am looking forward to the introduction!
I met the couple, Elmer and Joanne, who I'll be living with in my time out here. They're a lovely Christian couple and from what I've seen I can learn a lot from their Godly wisdom.
The heat is on average bout 34C during the day and 30C at night. The night is the hardest to get used to as you lie down on your bed in as few clothes as possible and just stick to the sheets! I am however starting to get used to it and each night sleep a little better!

The water here is a complete no no. It come out a lovely colour of orange. Therefore, for drinking we have a large water filter. Brushing you teeth also gets a little complicated as you have to do it with a cup and some drinking water. I've just about got the hang of it! Washing is also a fun thing. I stand in a tub and use a hose to direct the warm flowing orange water over my body and through my hair. I usually do this in the evening so that I'm a tiny bit cooler.

These first two week I've been familiarizing myself around the 63 acre site and all its activity and have got involve in teaching how to tile two bathrooms both of which have come out well, much to the pleasure of the proud trainees! There are two sites. Site one is for the hydro-form machine which turns out blocks with which we either sell or use for any on-site projects. Site two is the school site, which looks amazing.
Unfortunately due to a slow internet (dial up connection) I cannot upload photos to show you all, but I'll still take lots of pictures to show you on my return.

I am thoroughly enjoying this time and look forward to persevering under the challenges Africa throws at me with the help and wisdom from our heavenly father.

That’s all for now. More later.