A trip to the city

Monday, November 22, the town of Ho, 30 kilometers from the village of Vane. Alexander and I set out to purchase building materials for two projects: repairing the village school and the office to translate the Bible into the language of the Avatime. Outside it was “warm,” as in equatorial Africa. It took 7 hours to buy everything; things just don't happen quickly here. It's difficult to adjust from the rhythm of Moscow, where we want everything quickly, and if it doesn't happen this way, then we “boil” inside with impatience. Having finished going through all the shops (and the prices, I should say, were not low), we set out on our way back. In the foreground, in the mountains where our village was, there were storm clouds. Lightning started, and when the asphalt road ended, we were driving uphill on a dirt road. Along the roadside, farmers (women) were returning with huge baskets loaded with wood, yams, bananas, etc., carrying all this weight on their heads and climbing the mountains. A real tropical downpour burst. No one ran for cover but continued to climb the hill. Losing sandals, they continued on their journey barefoot. Streams became rivers and mudslides. On one of the inclines, our car got stuck. It began to slide to the left, then the right. Alexander and I traded places, so I was behind the wheel for the climb up the mountain. Thank God, we got out of there! But in front of us, a fallen tree had blocked the road. People hurried from the village with a chainsaw, and everyone together took to clearing the road. It rained several more times that evening, and, thoroughly drenched, Alexander and I unloaded the materials from the car. But at home a surprise was waiting for us - wet things, a kitchen dirty from the rain, puddles in the bedroom. The tropical downpour and the wind had done their job. What an adventure! Thank God that the equipment didn't get wet. The lights went out several times. In the evening, we each shared our feelings and new experiences of the day. There was no Internet all day. This is Africa!

Pastor Pavel