Rains and bicycles

December 7/8, 2011

Short rainy season is upon us.  We had a little flooding in the house last night when the rains come down with wind. This morning we woke up to something hitting the screens. I first thought that it was raining again. A lot of bird chatter was happening. When I looked out in the dawn light, I could see something flying by with a bird chasing it. More hits on the screen. I realized that the rains had stirred up an amazing amount of Katydids. They were landing on the house and screens to avoid being caught by the birds.

They were tan and green, 1inch to three inches, and at least 40 if not more on one window. We have perhaps 25 windows, consequently there were many on just our house.  The swarm is something that the locals are exceedingly happy and thankful about.  The insects(wadudu) are a source of food that comes only a few times a year. Dan has heard of a recipe if we want to try them. And we don't have to catch them, only go to buy them in the market.  Or maybe ask the watoto (children) around here to catch them for us!!

We did have another swarm a few weeks ago, but were left with only wings on the ground around the house.  Not the same insect, but I'm guessing that those were flying ants.  They are edible, too! No photos of the tan wings which were a good inch long. I am thinking that these rains will bring more mosquitoes if water stands around. The night of the 8th brought a swarm of bees losing their wings. We wait with baited breath to see what flies tonight!!

Usually there are three rocks to hop across

Thankfully, most of the rain runs off or evaporates with the intense solar power of the sun. The path that we take to the campus is across the stream that was a flash flood last night.

This place has only a one hop crossing

  It roared and sounded like a waterfall which it was for a time. Of course, Richard took photos. By this morning it was down enough to make big, careful hops across it.

There haven't been any big trips or safaris lately, only classes at Tumaini, English or Swahili lessons,  an occasional dinner at a restaurant, and shopping for groceries. I have some photos of the work that needs to be accomplished so we can ride in the car to buy that food at the market or in a store.

Downhill ride

Uphill push

These are only a few of the bicycles that we see as we drive on the road and pass them. God bless them for all their hard pedaling and for the dangerous roads they travel on. Notice the edges of the pavement and all the traffic. It is the way to make a living.

 Many people don't have even have bicycles to ride. They carry their packages on their heads.  The riders I see are mostly men and older boys. In fact I have only seen one young lady riding a bike. At that time I didn't have a camera to ask to take her photo.

An almost unmanageable load of charcoal 

Other photos we have missed include pigs and chickens in baskets, long lumber pieces, stacks of baskets, even a small refrigerator. The people seem to have great ingenuity when it comes to transporting  purchases and items for sale.

These red hibiscus hide a bird by the lower one, click to see!

I am looking forward to this week-end because there is a Christmas Fair on Saturday. Perhaps it will feel more like home to be in such a colorful and busy situation. The scenery has become green since the rains started in the last month's time. Flowers in the garden continue to bloom. Insects, birds, and even lizards are colorful. The Creator has provided a tapestry of colors and it is a masterpiece!

Ruaha safari

November 14, 2011

A few road blocks

On Friday, 4th of November, we set out for a much anticipated safari for Richard. Before we could drive west we had to pick up other people at BKB. Don and Babs Armagost, (friends of Arnie and Mary Bloomquist, co-founders of Tumaini), and Monica Betancourt, a law professor at Tumaini, joined us for the ride. The ride-----how to describe it in a 4-wheeled drive car? It was only "smooth" for the first few kilometers, then the asphalt stopped. From then on, until we came to the park roads two hours later, it was quite jarring at times. We could tell that there was truck traffic from the deep ruts. There had been runoffs from rains long ago, but the ridges and gullies were still there for our wheels to hit. One can often drive in the middle or on the opposite side (right side here) of the road because there aren't many vehicles.Nevertheless, there are carts, motorcycles, bicycles, and the always present pedestrians to avoid besides cattle and goats. With good drivers, we were safe, no close calls.

Once we were down in the Rift valley we made one stop at Idodi Secondary Government School to leave a list of about 70 SOTV sponsored students.They were to take time from studies to write a letter to their sponsor. We would stop on the return to pick up the letters.  Idodi School is in a good situation on a hill with dormitories, gardens, environmental center, and, of course, many classrooms for the 950 students. My regret now is that we didn't take time on the way back to talk with the 47 students who wrote or take group photos.  Maybe in January when they return to school we will try again.

Can you see the crocodiles among the hippopotamuses?

Safari continues. Idodi village, Mapogoro village, and Tungamalenga were all passed through and we noted the flowering trees and fields beginning to grow. (It was more green on the way back as some rain fell over the week-end.) The excitement was building as we neared Ruaha National Park gate, because we had seen a few giraffes (twiga). We paid our entrance fees, took our permit, and drove on towards the Great Ruaha River where we stopped to view and photograph the numerous crocodiles (mamba) and  hippopotamus (kiboko) down in the river. After many photos of the herons and egrets, and 3 elephants, kudu, and a giraffe on the other side of the river, we continued on hoping to arrive for lunch before 1pm at Mwagusi Safari Camp.

Only a little green underbrush

Often we stopped on the way both to photograph and ask directions as we wound our way to the northern section of the park. Elephants (tembo) and Impala (swala pala), the main antelope of the park at- maybe a million?-were the animals we noticed on sides of the road. A number of later-identified birds caught our eyes. It was easy to see far into the distance because only the acacia trees had small leaves to block our view.  Oh! and palms and a few rain trees were green by the seemingly dry riverbeds.

Not just any old tent

We arrived about 1:15, were shown to our bandas (cabins), and a short explanation given on the operation of the same. These bandas are a roofed structure with a large tent in the center to be closed at night. A short-walled, covered veranda is in front facing the riverbed, and a full bathroom is enclosed at the rear--but not in the tent. They may not sound luxurious, but they are. After quickly unpacking, we walked to the dining hall and ate a delicious buffet lunch while meeting staff and being assisted by them.  The owner, Chris Fox, welcomed us and joined us for the meal ever the gracious host. We had time to rest before the first safari drive at 4:30 after tea! As if we needed rest, but the animals rest and so the viewing is not good in the heat of the day. Richard and I were too keyed up to sleep, so we watched the zebras (punda milia) and greater kudu (tandala mkubwa), a bovine species, grazing across the riverbed.

Our surprise when we started to leave for tea (coffee/tea and cake) was a small bull elephant blocking the path.  He was quite content to munch on the bushes and palmetto leaves and not move out of our way.  Since we were in his territory, we finally hopped over the low wall and walked quietly between two bandas to make it safely to the dining hall. This same elephant moved towards Dan two times!

One Baobab blossom on left and Vervet monkeys feasting

At 4:30, 6 of us were assigned our guide, Justin, who was a wealth of knowledge. Reginald, our driver, stopped wherever we wanted or Justin indicated-a great team. As much as this was a search for animals, we learned first about the Baobab trees that were sending out white blossoms. The vervet monkeys (tumbili) and birds, like the Lilac breasted roller, would eat part of the blossom and drop the rest. (By our banda it looked like it was snowing.) Many animals would enjoy the fallen blossoms including Impala, Tembo, and Warthogs(ngiri). Justin told us that we could eat the white seeds-quite good, and that the powder (pollen?) in the blossom made cream of tarter. Elephants eat the bark by stripping it off the tree. Also, they can get water from the inside, hence holes in the trunks.  Even though the bark comes off, the tree does not die like other trees that are girdled all the way around-survival.

Teamwork with trunk and toenails

As we were approaching a bridge watching the impalas grazing, a movement caught our eye. It was a lioness attempting to take down an impala for a meal. The lioness stopped  and watched us because the car got in her way, then she turned and joined the other 10 lions (simba) sleeping on the dry riverbed. Maybe not too hungry.  Justin told us that they are successful 1 out of 25 tries! It was exciting anyway.

In the same riverbed there were large areas that were disturbed by the elephants searching the sand for water. It was good to see them successful when they would spray each other. We might have seen some of these elephants earlier holding onto palmetto leaves with their trunk and slicing them off with their toenails! In another area elephants had stripped small acacia trees of many of the branches and bark.  In the nearby kopje of rocks smaller ancient relatives of the elephant scampered the rock hyrax(pimbi). It might be only18 inches long, but it is a mammal, not the rodent that it looks like. Across the ground beneath the acacia trees, ran about 8 to 10 dwarf mongooses (nguchiro). When they run together they are able kill a snake. We saw the banded mongoose in a big group----hunting? or having fun?

Rock hyrax on kopje

This list of animals that we saw all have something in common:  cape buffalo, dik dik, giraffe, Grant's gazelle, impala, greater and lesser kudu, and eland. Obviously it is not size or shape, but it is that they all have even-numbered toes on their feet and they rechew their food!! Only a wonderful creator could have assembled these varied creatures. The dik dik(digidigi) are tiny deer-or impala-like animals that are very shy, swift, have large ears and eyes. I liked seeing the warthogs run with their tails up so all can follow each other in a line through tall grass.

Follow me!

Three ox peckers hitching a meal and ride

Seeing the gentle giraffes with oxpeckers on their backs eating the ticks makes me think of all the other ties between animals. Baboons sit up in trees and warn the impala if predators are coming, monkeys and  birds drop leftover food down to many ground dwellers. And of course the leftover food from a lion kill is eaten by hyenas, other carrion eaters, and all the vultures that wait around, as well as, the insects we never saw. Not much is wasted in this habitat.

You want me to run again?

Savannah grazers

While we were having our "bush breakfast",  we watched saddle billed storks, a grey crowned crane, egrets and herons, a drongo, a robin chat, Ruaha red-billed hornbills some on the far side of the river where there was still water. One reptile species identified was the orange-headed male agama lizard and the spotted females. Surprising us next were yellow baboons (nyani) chasing a duma, oops, a cheetah! The group chased it for awhile, then we were in the way, and the cheetah escaped. Both animals have similar food needs and are competitors and prey and predator. A short drive later, we found the cheetah lying under a tree breathing heavily and we took photos for about 15 minutes while it posed for us! Another big bird that we watched were ostriches. Males are black so they can sit on the nest at night, while the females are tan/brown/grey. They were mostly eating and not running as fast as they can. While watching these, we went by a large herd of 40 or more zebras. I really like to say their name--punda milia!

Before heading in for lunch after being out for 5 1/2 hours, we spotted a group of elephants that had 5 calves, one of which Justin told us was only 2 months old. Some of the others were starting to grow tusks, therefore, they were near 18 months. A little refreshing and we ate another delicious buffet meal just as gourmet as the "out back"candlelight dinner the night before.

Careful !

I have an itch, mama

After more midday rest and another encounter with "friendly" elephant eating close to our door, we left for our third game viewing ride. The hunters were out in evening and in the distance we could see a bat-eared fox (mbweha masikio) and a blackbacked jackal (bweha) running away from us with two cubs hiding. As the sun was setting, we watched a pride of relaxed lions, except for the cubs that couldn't be still. Yellow baboons watched them, too, with the impalas not far away! I wonder if the flocks of helmeted Guineafowl (kanga) even are concerned about the lions. Many of them were eating along side red-necked spurfowl. Another superb meal was served out on the dry riverbed in front of our banda. I still wonder how they obtain all the fresh vegetables that were cooked for each meal.

Many more birds were seen, but not all of the 450 found in the park. I've yet to id them all. Interesting for me because of a class I teach at the Dodge Nature Center, was identifying tracks and holes, while we had an extensive lesson on scat early the next morning. I think it was to be a bird hike! Animals continue to work together to survive and thrive through difficult situations and environments.

This Ruaha hornbill is good way to end

Unfortunately for us after breakfast Sunday morning, we had to say good-by to Chris and his staff. Starting the 3-4 hour trip back was not inviting, but necessary since classes needed to be taught on Monday. Animals seemed to be avoiding us on the way out, except for a couple of lions that roared from the kopje. We had a glorious time seeing another of God's beautiful creations, safely watched over in the park and on our return trip.

Of course, we  do have many more photos, and perhaps when we return we can show more people and location shots and other animal "poses". Just ask us!
Classes are at midterms now, so Richard and Dan are extra busy. Sue and I are becoming involved with a secondary school. Planning what to do for Christmas is on our minds even as it is spring here.

Small adventures

October 31, 2011

No signs of Halloween over here, but I haven't been to the market today to see if there are any decorations. It doesn't feel like the end of October, since the temperatures are still in the high 80's by late afternoon. There are preparations for planting crops by raking and then burning the leftover stalks, canes, and grasses.  Sometimes it is very hard to breathe fresh air.

The following are some of our small adventures, in addition to, everyday activities.  Each day can be an adventure, too, like not having power or not having water to fill our holding tank for 3 days. We were fine, but our neighbors had to carry much more water. Another chance to have an adventure is visiting the market to find the same vendor to buy vegetables.  They like to see you return and sometimes give you a little extra, similarly at the grocery stores. Always a surprise awaits us.

Two weeks ago, Oct 14-16, we took a trip farther up into the mountains southeast of here to visit the village of Kising'a. The drive was about 2 hours on mostly dirt roads that twisted up and around to give us splendid views. It was so much cooler and fresher. It is the partner village of Dan and Sue McIntyre from Church of Peace in Maplewood.  The village is smaller than Tungamalenga, but the welcome was just as warm and noisy! Pastor Wihale greeted us, introduced us all around and finally we met Peweni Kikoti, who is interning with him until the end of June. She is from Bomalang'ombe and she became our interpreter, although Pr. Wihale speaks good English. We all used dictionaries to help us understand each other. Peweni wanted to keep Dan's. They will try to bring one to her on the next visit.

Dan and Pastor Wihale with mountain view

We drove to a preaching point that is beginning to build a new chapel, because they have outgrown the one they use now.(Bwana asifiwe-Praise the Lord)!.  The parish members had plotted out the foundation size, dug the trench, and were carrying the rocks to fill it in.  So we all joined them carrying rocks! When we were ready to leave, we all formed a circle and prayers were said for the construction to continue, for the help that Church of Peace gives to them, and I'm sure for our safety. It is in a beautiful location overlooking a valley and the mountain tops.

Dan, students, Sue, Joan, Peweni, Pr. Wihale & Evangelist Ahinudiwe

Next we were shown the way to their tree farms that partially fund the construction through sales of lumber and are used for the building itself.  We saw the primary school in the village, the soccer field, and later a secondary school built by Steve Vinton of Village Schools. Oh! and the well that their village uses was a very busy place. It is down a hill from almost all of the village, therefore all ages that carry water, carry it up hill and on their heads!




On Sunday the procession leading to the chapel began outside of the pastor's house with a colorful choir leading the way. District Pastor John Chengula, his son, Krispo (who will be teaching soon and was another interpreter), and a cousin, Joina Tenywa had come for the service and joined us. Much singing, speeches, welcomes, congratulations, communion and the song, "This little Light of Mine" by the four of us rounded out the service of two hours. (There is a story connected with this---!)



There was again an auction after the worship time. These items are brought by those who cannot bring Tshillings. Perhaps more is placed into the offering plate this way. The four in the front are part of the youth choir and were offering their song. The main choir in the background sang again later. Many sang as they left the chapel and auction.



Of course, throughout the week-end we had been fed with delicious food at Pr. Wihale's house. (Have you noticed the banana plants growing around the villages.) Also, we had dinner at the home of one of the primary teachers.
To top it all off, each couple was given a hen from the teacher to take home with us and we did!  But we did give them away before we reached home- one was for food (chakula) and the other kept for eggs (yai)!

The following week-end we went south to Isamila, an ancient
stone age historical site. We were led on an hour long tour starting with a display of the rock tools that were found and dated to 300,000 - 400,000 years ago! The guide led us down into a dry, long ago lake bed, up again to the top and across several fields to the edge of a riverbed.  Wow! tall pillars were scattered down in the valley and after a few photos we walked down again to wander among these giants. (They reminded Rich and I of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon.) We continued for about 20 minutes following the dry riverbed and seeing the pillars along the walls and in the riverbed.  One group looked just like organ pipes!

The guide grew up in the area and had first seen the site with his grandfather (Babu) when he was very young. He now has been guiding for 12 years and was very proud of the area. When we came back up from the lake bed we entered a museum which showcased the tools again, plus other farming tools, baskets, three-legged stools, photos of leaders, and weapons used by local tribes. Good write-ups told us about customs of the area. It was a very excellent safari (trip).

Later that day we journeyed out to Philips Farm along the Little Ruaha River past Kilolo to watch the wazungu (white people / mzungu-one person) relax and/or play volleyball.  This is a dairy cattle farm that has been in the family for several generations. There were beautiful hedges of brilliant colors especially at sunset. The large family house was thatch-roofed. They even had several huge turkeys waiting for--Christmas dinner, British-style.

Just a quick note on Tumaini. Classes are moving along as long as there isn't a graduation and homecoming, death and funeral, holiday, staff meeting or ??? Sue and I have finished a little correcting for a former Peace Corps teacher from America now teaching a communications class. (She wished us a Happy Halloween!) We will probably help her again. It was very interesting reading the students's journals and discovering more about Tumaini University from first year students' impressions.

Wishing all of you pleasant safaris and /or adventures.   Joan and Richard

Daily and Weekly Routine

October 24, 2011


Habari za asubuhi! (Good morning!)
Our day begins before the sun is up because we on on the edge of Iringa Town in a "suburb" called Kihesa. It is in the same area that Tumaini University is located on the NE side of Iringa.
(The university can be Googled or found on a map page. Look for a group of buildings one of which is a circle with four arms. It is the chapel on Sundays and a class room during the week.)

The reason that morning can start early is because the dogs may bark or definitely the roosters crow or the goat bells may be ringing as they are driven to find pasture. Also, as the sun comes up people begin to move and talk as they walk by our open window. Since we are not too far below the equator, the sun comes up about 6am and sets about 6pm-all year long.  It may be a little longer or shorter, but not more than 30 minutes. We are usually up by 6 or 7am--why waste the sunshine?

This is the time we all four check our emails because you were busy sending them while we slept! (And vice versa), a good photo or laugh or comment starts the day right. Usually someone starts our breakfast and to heat the water for the dishes after eating. Water is heated for showers each time, also, since the heater is small and located in each bathroom. By 8am or a little later we are doing more computer work or now to class.

Rich now has class 12-2 on Monday, 8-10 and 12-1 onTuesday and 11-12 on Wednesday. The rest of the week can be student contact time.  He is teaching first, Probability and Statistics and second, Functions and Trigonometry.  He feels that the students can understand him and they will ask questions. So far so good.

So that is Richard's schedule. Joan's is not so detailed.  There is not a place at the university yet, although  we should hear something this week about helping students with their English before they go out for internship. We have been checking with a few secondary teachers to help them with tutoring and nothing is set yet. Perhaps Sue and Joan need to be looking harder?!?

The rest of the morning is making the bed and putting up the bed net, reading, answering emails, sending this blog, maybe doing a little hand washing, some needle work, and trying to get out for a walk before it is too hot. We have a lady that comes in to clean two days a week and she does most of our laundry by hand. This was prearranged by our landlord. Then it is time to think about making lunch and heating the water for dishes again. Many of our meals have been vegetarian and involve much slicing and dicing.

Afternoons depend on what is needed in"town". It seems that there is always some food that is needed since the refrigerator is not big. We are still finding things that we could use to make life easier, a basket, tools, nails, etc., although our life is quite easy compared to most of the people living around us and in Iringa. The drive to the market takes about 10-15 minutes depending on the traffic which includes cars, trucks, dala dalas (small buses), loaded bicycles, and many, many walkers. And we have to go polepole, (slowly) over all the speedbumps by the dukas, (stores).  It is always an adventure which is becoming less scarey each time we go.  Both Richard and Dan are good drivers on the left side of the road since they have had experience driving there before.

Wednesday afternoon we drive in to pick up a box of vegetables that was ordered on Sunday. It is always a surprise to see what was ordered. The market is buzzing with business as we find the vendors we have purchased goods from before. It is a great place to practice our Swahili numbers and to haggle a little over the price of fruit--papayas, mangoes, pineapples. Dan and Sue McIntrye (our housemates from Church of Peace in Maplewood) are waiting for the grapefruit to arrive! If we are looking for something specific we may have to stop at many dukas to find it. Usually we get a few laughs, but they help us go to another place. I wonder how many owners are related or they really help one another for a sale.

Back home we again chop and slice vegetables after unloading the car. preparing our evening meal. All four of us seem to work together well and take turns cooking the meals. Much banter goes on about the classes and university, other meetings that Dan is involved with or our shared emails. Also, we have begun trying to decide what to do for our Christmas break! Wherever we go, it will be a long trek and various transports to get there.

After washing the dishes and putting away any food, we hope that the power won't go off so we can continue to read, plan for class, email, or occasionally watch a movie. We sometimes walk around the house with our headlamps when the power is off line. It probably looks funny from outside. We are glad that we have a gas powered stove. So far the mosquitoes have not been fierce and we could sit outside a little before eating.  It is very dry and no rain since we came one month ago. Perhaps the rain will come in November for the crops that are ready to be planted. We pray they will have good rains so there is not a famine here in Tanzania.

Well, as unexciting as this is, it is our schedule so far. Time seems to pass quickly. Soon it is necessary to pull down the bed net before crawling under it to sleep. Harbari za jioni!  (Good night!)

Makambalala Dedication & Tungamalenga Worship

Written on October 18 for October 1st and 2nd

As we traveled out for the second dedication, we stopped first at Namelok. The chapel they had worshipped in was torn down because of a poor foundation and they had used some of the bricks to rebuild these last two months.  The walls were up beyond the window sites and they were happy to have us see all the work that the parishioners had done. Again gifts were exchanged and we heard from some of the village elders and Evangelist Shukuru Mubeya. Many were photos taken.

When we arrived at Makambalala at almost 5pm, it was another enthusiastic welcome with drums for singing and dancing including our pastors and Evangelist, George Kioniani. 5 youth sang and danced for us to a song "I love Jesus, Redeemer of life."About 70 members gathered for us out of 153. Evan. George gave us statistics and led us on a tour of the building. There are parts of it still needing to be finished including enclosing part of the roof, the altar, and putting finish on the outside.  Members were carrying water to "paint" the walls.

We had the typical introductions and then the dedication ceremony took place with the  plaque being nailed to the wall. Our gifts were given and then Pr. Diane received 2 stools, one from Makambalala and the 2nd from Tungemalenga along with a basket.  After all the ceremony the singing and dancing began. A little later we were treated to a small meal of potatoes, meat, and sodas in the study room. As we left, many shook our hands and wished us God's blessings and Kwa heri ( good-bye), and with them singing, we drove back to the Lodge where dinner was waiting! Lots of discussion happened this night from all the  experiences of the day.

Sunday morning and the energy from yesterday was still with us. A big group from Mahove came in a trailer pulled by a tractor! We waited until Bishop Mdegela arrived with his family and guests. Then the procession began with the Tungamalenga choir followed by the Mahove choir, guests and pastors and Bishop. Today was a special service so the children were right up in front of the choirs.

Luke 9: 3... was read about not taking anything for your journey, but relying on God.  A little hard for us in this new environment. Announcements and reports made, recognition of pastors, evangelists, leaders and guests, also. Songs by the Maasai, the Mapagoro choir, a traditional song of local tribe by a single man, and Hymn 350 followed.  A prayer led by Pastor Yusto and reading of the sermon text for Pastor Diane, Phil. 4:1 and 4-9. We rejoice together as children of God. Following a summary of our preaching point visits, she again asked us to rejoice and thanked all for their joy. Next came prayers, and the processional offering while a children's choir and the Tungamalenga and Mahove choirs sang. The children were allowed to go outside (without a new soccer ball!) while we participated in Holy Communion. After prayers and the Blessing, we weren't through yet.

Many thanks and a review of the 10 years of Partnership with SOTV followed.  Some gifts from Mahove to Pastors Diane and Yusto with a response from Pr. Diane from all the pastors at SOTV and the prayers of the congregation. Partnership Committee priorities were read. We gave gifts to the three Tungamalenga pastors and Idodi school. A commendation and thanks came from the Bishop to SOTV for all  we do for the parish. Gifting continued as we three were dressed in new outfits-zebras (punda melias) in blue and black. The Bishop was given a shirt and a goat!  After 3 plus (maybe 4) hours we were ushered out with singing and dancing to the Auction out in front of the chapel.  Some people can't give money into the offering plate, so they bring items for the auction and those bids are counted as their offering.  Richard bid on a bowl of ground nuts. We're not sure where they went.

Just a little more.  Richard's prayer partner found him and mine found me. It was good to meet in person. After a late lunch(nothing new about being late for lunch), we said Kwa heri and Asante sana many times with hugs and left for Iringa at 4:30 arriving about 6:30 at the Lutheran Center. We unloaded (no goats), debriefed, had dinner and wishing Pr. Diane a safari njema (safe journey) home early the next morning, we were driven "home".  We thanked God for a blessed week-end with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Guess we had a super day and were on our heads on the way home.

Update for Oct. 18:    Richard now has met both of his classes and is pleased with their response to his teaching. And they say they can understand him.  More of daily life and our visit to Kising'a next time.