RAIN

Jan. 6th, 8:00 p.m.

I knew it was rainy season, but now I KNOW it's rainy season. It has come down as mist, drizzle, downpour--and even torrents for an hour or two at a time. The river under the bridge that I traverse daily to get to the school/church property, was barely a trickle through the boulders, rocks, and vegetation 48 hours ago.  When I crossed back at noon after my Form 3 English language class, it resembled Baker Creek. And, we've had a LOT more rain since noon! The water from the mountains contributes to the rain in the river. Between 4 and 7 p.m. it was what I called "shower rain" in Prince Rupert (the fishermen called it "pissin' rain"--but I'm more polite;). It eased off for maybe half an hour, and now it's been givin' 'er ever since. I will go down and take a picture of the river and the bridge in the morning.

We went into town--Chichiri District--for lunch and shopping. I chose hump from the menu, just because I knew my friends in Quesnel would find that more exciting than chaumba (tilapia), which is a local fish. By the way, Arnold told me that there are more than 100 different species of fish in Lake Malawi. What is hump, you ask? Glad you asked! It's from  Malawian beef: their cattle have a hump in the middle of  their shoulders. It was served cut into strips and fried. It tasted like the outer edges of a pork chop: a little greasy, but good.

After lunch, we browsed the Chichiri shopping centre.
Here are some price equivalents (keep in mind that our teachers earn a tenth of an average Canadian salary):
 -cheapest generic 8 kg bag of dog food: $18
 -cheapest 500 g raisins:                             $  5
 -fresh loaf of unsliced white bread:        $   1.80
   (There was a queue of more than 30 people for the bread.)
 -plastic 750mL drinking bottle:               $  6
 -6 eggs:                                                          $  1.55
                (the egg cabinet was NOT refrigerated)
 -package of Orbit gum:                             $  2.39
 -1 medium Granny Smith apple:             $  0.57

While Mum and I were shopping, Arnold got in line for petrol (gasoline). After 2 hours of waiting there was none left, so he drove to 2 other stations to look for gas. None there either. Then he spotted a man selling a 5L can of gas--for a markup. He bought from that man and 1 other, filling his tank to the 1/4 mark. Two and a half hours for a quarter tank of gas...

Someone asked me if we should promote sponsoring a teacher.
Mum says that it would be better to sponsor a student. That way, a child gets to go to school, AND their fees help to pay the teacher. Could you sponsor a student? Will you? If you can commit to a regular monthly amount, automatic debit can be arranged through Ruth Martz at FOMF in Edmonton. Or, you can send any amount of money designated to "fill the gap" where needed. You can get a tax receipt from either FOMF in Edmonton or Bethel Church in Quesnel.
There are lots of needs. The small pickup truck desperately needs repairs to get it roadworthy again. Lumber (which is really expensive) is needed to build Mum a decent path/stairs to the gate at the bottom of her yard. That's the way we get from the house to the school. The wooden steps and bricks are in a terribly dilapidated state, and she needs to be able to walk safely.

I used 1/2 the package of raisins and 3 of the new eggs to make rice pudding tonight (these eggs were okay--sigh of relief). No vanilla, but the pudding turned out fine. I sliced up one of my 2 Granny Smith apples and covered it in pudding--supper :)

Time for bed.
Good night--someone hug my family for me, please.
And, I'd love a personal email or letter.