Skipton Baptist Church Blog

The wonders of technology!  Not only have I just been able to talk to Richard, courtesy of Skype, but even better he knew how to locate all the details I needed to get back to my blog!  So here I am.  I still can’t quite get over being able to talk from Central Africa and see the person I’m talking to at the same time.  It’s fun!

I’m in the process of moving house but am able to take my time about it as we’re not expecting visitors till some time in June.  Hopefully by the weekend I’ll be more or less done and can begin to settle in to another home.  The team coming will be working on the second phase of an electrification programme having already installed a transformer here at the Centre.  Judging by the sparks that fly every time I plug something in I suspect all the houses could also do with re-wiring but that will be doubtless be for ‘Phase 3′.  The power supply is somewhat random anyway with cuts lasting up to 36 hours but not usually longer.

The Theological College students are on holiday till next Monday so I’m taking advantage of the extra free time to get to know some of them better.  I’m working with around 20 students but have also had contact with some of the others (final year diploma students and degree programme students).  There is just one female student, a young widow called Lydie.  Her husband died when she was 23, leaving her with 2 young children (the youngest a few days old).  As her husband’s people follow patriarchal customs, the children have been adopted by members of the husband’s family, so Lydie is here on her own.  Quite a few of the other students are also here without their families since the cost of keeping them in the city are exorbitant, particularly medical fees.  Not easy to be away from your family for 3 years while you complete studies - even going home during the holidays is not an option for most because of distance and expense.

Thanks to everyone for e-mails and encouragement.  We might get mail next week some time so I’ll hope to get some letters then.

Will try to keep my blog updated.  Tell me if I’m too wordy or if there’s stuff you want to know and I don’t tell you!

 Love

 Bridget