A health check to start with: Judith and I are still both remarkably healthy! Since my last blog we’ve both had a day where we’ve thought we may be feeling the first signing of getting something, but so far so good! Not so for Ron & Irma I’m afraid. They have both been very, very poorly – Ron especially (well he is a man after all!!). They have pretty much been confined to bed for the last two days and tonight a Dr who works with Leprosy Mission in the town finally came to see them and advised them to start a course of antibiotics for chest infections. My first job tomorrow is to go out and get the amoxicillin! Emily is also poorly, but a little improved today. Danielle is pretty much back to normal.
As a result of the illnesses Judith and I have been doing quite a lot of baby sitting and generally trying to keep the children occupied – lots of stories!! Judith has been brilliant in all this.
It hasn’t stopped us doing other things though. We did get to Nancaramo yesterday – without Ron & Irma. Another local pastor, a Brazilian with no English kindly took us, and lady who is in town for the week and was willing to translate for us, in his pick-up truck. I was in the back with the sacks of presents going and Judith insisted she go in the back coming home!
Despite the absence of Ron & Irma the day was a huge success. We went to the school together in the morning and gave out a pen and exercise books to all the morning children. I went back in the afternoon to deliver to the rest of the children whilst Judith and Alice (the Portuguese, English speaking translator) stayed in the village to run the special invitation only ladies event. So I was completely on my own at the school – a weird experience! However, the English teacher came back and was able to do a pretty good job interpreting for me as I went round the rest of the classes. As a governor of Whitton Primary School I had the privilege to represent the school at an informal but official ‘twinning’ ceremony with the head teacher before I left. He gave several gifts and letters for the school to mark what we hope will be a mutually beneficial friendship between the two schools.
Arriving back at the church I heard loud whooping and clapping and as I peered through the door saw Judith being hugged by many ladies as she gave them each a sack full of gifts. Unfortunately our Brazilian lift giver needed to get home so we had to leave the ladies to enjoy the cakes Judith had baked, sweets and drinks by themselves. It sounds like a good time was had by all and we both left the village for the last time with heavy hearts. In the five days we’ve spent with them it feels like a very special friendship has developed between us and it feels strange that we may well never see them again this side of glory.
Yesterday saw the last of our ‘official’ ministry and today we tried to hit a balance of helping Ron & Irma and keeping out of their way. We went to see Pemba’s renowned beach this morning – we both left an hour later feeling decidedly underwhelmed. This afternoon we went out shopping for souvenirs. This in itself was a bit of an experience as we walked to an area of the town known for its local market, but which was devoid of any white faces! Everyone was looking, pointing and talking about us – at least that’s how it felt! It was a bit of an unnerving experience and made us realise how others must feel when in an extreme minority because of colour, language or physical condition.
Tomorrow will be packing and last minute bits and bobs. God willing Ron fly’s out to South Africa at mid-day for a long standing Dr’s appointment for on-going treatment for effects from a car accident 2 years ago.