The local rubbish dump a sight to behold no waste service.
Then we passed by the village Methodist church that looks like its falling down. It is but the Sunday school still meets in it while the congregation meet in the new building, except they ran out of money. so a make shift roof within the new building makes it look bizare, just £2,000 will complete the job but not much chance in this poor community.
We went to meet a church member there who remembered me from the camp meeting two years ago. He willingly took time out to show me the pieces of land he farms. Crops including maize, limes, palm trees. I never knew you can make from the palm tree not just oil, but soup which is sweet, wax for candles,the seeds are used when making metal goods, a sponge can be made from it as well and baskets, in fact it seems everything can be used for something. Then we went to see more of his land . The noise as we approached some water sounded like a cistern working filling up, but no the soundwas made by hundreds of frogs. It was worth the walk to get to this piece of land as he cut down a fresh orange and with his washed machette took off the skin so I could eat the fruit. It was sweet and refreshing, and like no orange I have ever eaten before. In fact I had to eat three and of course he filled my rucksack with them. So that went along way towards my five a day!
He lives in a property with two rooms one for himself and wife, the other for his children and there is a building for their kitchen.
On the way to look at his land we saw the well for the village. Yes thats where they get their water.
The houses are terrible and the weather just wears away at the simple construction. When I first saw the village I wanted to cry. It may not be on the scale that our television screens so often show, but in a way it was worse because this is how the majority live in numerous small communities all over the area and country.
So though the electricity is still off at the mission house and the water is not running again, it will be at some point so I can recharge my phone, i pad and take a shower - yes don't ask about the toilet a big container of water serves to be able to pour a bucket down the toilet.
The farmer wanted to know why I had come to visit him. I think he couldn't understand why I would take the time. Unless we truly see for ourselves and find out how people live and survive we dont understand. Thats why I have come. And once again without getting all holy than thou, I have received more from meeting him than I could ever give. It will however be with tremendous joy that on Sunday I will go his 'church' ( with some walls but no roof) , and place into his hands the bread and wine of communion, and may he know he is valued and loved by God. He is valued and respected by me.
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