Saturday, Nov 7th Off-roading

Well, we started on our road trip at 11 AM to a mountainous village called Logotuk. There was 6 of us in the Land Rover (one in the back with the corn and luggage) and a trailer filled with cement bags, corn and bibles attached to the truck. The "roads" were dirt roads lined with potholes galore. The "good" road enabled us to drive about 20-30 km/hr on average. Then we turned off onto the bad "road". It was like off-roading...but on the road. Serious ditches and potholes that I didn't think we would actually get around or over at times. Suddenly, the trailer came off the back, so we had to stop and hook it back on. !0 minutes later, it came off again (how it stayed on even that long with the crazy bumpiness is beyond me). We realized the trailer clamp wasn't strong enough to stay clamped on the ball hitch, so I had the idea of securing a chain around it as well. Well, that lasted another 10 minutes or so and then we heard a grinding sound. We stopped to check it out- the hitch had come off and it was secured by just the chain and it kept sliding under the back of the truck. We secured things again and then realized one of the trailer tires was flat. So we changed the tire, rearranged the load in the trailer to make it more front-heavy to try and keep it attached. Oh and did i tell you that one of the cement bags had opened so all of the stuff in the trailer was coated with cement dust?! Back off we go, traveling in and amongst the cattle who also chose to travel on this narrow "road". Sometimes it was narrow enough that the cattle had no where to go so we had to travel as slow as the cattle were walking. Then, a loud crash- the axle to the trailer broke! UGH! We then started the messy, heavy, hot job of transferring the cement, corn and bibles in the trailer to the back of the Land Rover and on top of the Land Rover (did I mention the cement dust all over everything?). Then we were off with 4 us of crammed in the back seat of the Land Rover for the last 5-8 kilometers. Praise Jesus when we got to Logotuk!

At Logotuk, we unloaded the messy supplies and then started up the mountain trail for a good 20-25 minute hike up the mountain to the place where we were staying. I stayed with Patty, a wonderfullly welcoming single woman missionary, in her mud house with a metal roof. The "house" is cute. Has 3 bedrooms, a common kitchen area and a bathroom. The "bathroom" has a raised toilet seat over what is essentially a big hole in the ground, and a drain where the water goes when we "shower". Showering consists of filling a basin with water, sliding it into the bathroom, and using a cup to wet, lather, rinse and repeat. :) For me, it's not really all that challenging as I'm used to camping and backpacking. But Patty, bless her heart, was never an outdoorsy-type person prior to becoming a missionary so all this was definitely a stretch for her initially. She tells me, though, how God has definitely provided for her and she has felt a comfort here that she never could have imagined. It's a testimony to His Grace and Mercy that's she's adapted so well. (she even had to kill 6 scorpions that were in her home...glad that didn't happen while i was there...so far at least!)

The night was a bit warm, but i learned a tip for "air conditioning" from the Bylers. Simply soak a sheet in water and use that to cover with. It's wonderfully cooling and I slept well last night.

I still find God's provision to be simply amazing during this trip. I've done so many things that should have flared-up my often tight neck and upper back muscles which then often leads to a dull chronic headache. But so far? No headache! Yay Jesus!

I continue to thank you for your constant prayers. They are much needed and much felt for sure!

love you all!