No more leaks

My house has had old 'holey' iron on the verandah since I moved in, causing discomfort for poor Philippe trying to shelter during rainy season, and for laundry trying to do the same thing.

After unsuccessful negotiations with my landlord to fix the problem, I've decided to 'kill 2 birds' and use the beat-up iron from the front verandah to create a shallow shelter along the back wall. The existing cane mats and passionfruit vines provide shade but are looking worn, and mold patches have appeared where, according to him, water running down the side of the house 'can't dry' because of my jury-rigged shade.

Since I know that the shade cools the house down about 10C, I want something out back, and this way I can stop water coming down the walls too.

So today is cool (down to about 29C, with 40C predicted before the end of the day) and they're working on stage 1: new iron on the front (and some new support wood to replace warped beams), with old iron stocked for later use in back. It was that or a freezer, so the freezer will have to wait.

Dinner no. 3

After 15 from IMS Monday night, 10 from an visiting English team came for dinner Tuesday night. Friday is a farewell potluck dinner for PH and Stephanie, as they go back to Switzerland Sunday.

The English team was in the dark most of the time - well, not completely. Daily electricity blackouts have fallen into a pattern so I knew the only time they could come would be dark, so bought 2 extra battery lamps, used Philippe's garden one, and my normal one. The bathroom had to make do with candles.

Back in the swing of things - Term 2 at IMS and committees breed like rabbits

This term at IMS I teach 4 hours of Contextualisation Mondays, an occasional hour of Strategic Thinking (planning) Thursdays, and 45 min. geography Fridays. In between the preparation and marking there is computer and admin stuff for the staff and students there.

This week I had students, their children, and 3 staff for dinner (16 in all), followed by pictionary, a first for most but widely enjoyed by all. The menu was spaghetti bolognese, garlic and herb bread (national theme Italian this time), and a fruit salad/yoghurt/strawberry coulis parfait dessert with popcorn as starter. It's getting near the end of the best time of year for fruit and veg and we're profiting.

Add to my IMS schedule 2 committees for IBEO (evening Bible school): the IBEO committee planning a new intake with new members, and the Graduation committee for the ceremony 17 April....

And 2 Fulani Bible School committes (FBS and Curriculum)...

and now the SIM Burkina Area Council where I'm now a "Member-at-large", voted in by other missionaries.

Heat without light

Somewhere in mid-February it abruptly decided to stop being Harmattan (cooler, dusty) and start being Hot season, after a mild wind storm that apparently even saw a few drops of rain on the outskirts of Ouaga.

As is usual here with hot season, electricity blackouts started happening (too many people using airconditioners overloading the system) - average of 4 hours a day. IMS students trying to get homework done are getting very frustrated.

One benefit of the heat is the effect on the flowers (those that receive good watering). I've had several new flowers come out, and my bok choy, celery, and local spinach have been doing so well I've cooked with them nearly every day. My seedling butternut pumpkin, sunflowers, cherry tomato and rocket are looking promising.