WUNDERLI WANDERINGS

The other day Simon returned from doing a flight to Sudan. Most days are "normal" for him although I don't know if even I would say it was just another "day in the office' as most flights have a tale to tell. Anyway this particular day he came home to say that he had almost been arrested. He had flown into a certain place in Sudan, which will remain nameless, only to find that the President of Southern Sudan had just landed there. To say his security detail weren't happy was an understatement. After many conversations and Simon proving his right to be there by producing the properly stamped paperwork he was free to go. Simon said it was a bit hairy for a while but thankfully it all turned out well. Southern Sudan is due to have elections next month so the President is doing his rounds. Its an interesting time for Southern Sudan and we are not sure how it is going to go. Many NGO's have evacuation plans in place in case the need arises. MAF and o...

Simon and Zara enjoying the wonderful view over the valley A visit to Patrick and Stella's house who look after widows and orphans and run a coffee making business. Zara loved every stage of the coffee making process Zara helping Patrick sieving the grounded coffee Joshua and Grossvati grinding the coffee beans to get the shells off. Joshua climbing up the rock face to get to the bat caves. Some of us took the ladder :) One of the many colourful lizards we saw on our visit. Watching a localised rain storm pass through the valley. We stayed in some comfortable, but basic accommodation. We helped the amenities along a bit by enabling their tap to turn on with the help of a 100 shilling coin. Simon greasing the door hinges with some butter from breakfast. It did the job no more creaking! This was as close as we could get to the waterfall as the path down was too slippy and muddy. Even here we were getting soaked by the spray. Awesome power of water! Another wee creature that we me...

This area is now full of water. MAF has its very own swimming pool! In the background you can see four containers. These contain our new hangar. One day soon we hope to see these containers open and construction started. :) The start of the swimming pool :) For all those Scots who are reading our blog the first plane in the picture is "Scotty". Thanks to all who were involved in the Caledonian Connection. This plane is busy flying all over Uganda, Sudan and into Congo. Praise the Lord! This is the back side of our old hangar. Definately could do with some TLC! After many months of raising funds, much organising, finding contractors, architects and finally purchasing the new hangar we have broken ground at Kajjansi for the work to begin. Unfortunately due to heavy rain and unco-operative machinery the excavating has not been as quick as we would have liked it. Above are a few photos of the beginning process.

Sheryl Strietzel and I with whom I stayed with during my visit to Bunia. Sheryl and her husband are friends of ours who have been in MAF for many years. They are the Programme Manager family for the East Congo programme. Some of the beautiful scenes on my flight back from Congo In comparison our flight to Congo which was fraught with rain and storms....a different picture altogether. Sheryl and Lary's home in Bunia. They are often without power and the water needs to be boiled before even going through the water filter due to typhoid. Even we don't have to boil it first here in Uganda. It is difficult to see in this picture but these three ladies were colourfully dressed. Congolese love bright colours. Behind them there is a man building a house out of local bricks. This is the road to Lary and Sheryl's house Another road to one of the other MAF family houses. This picture doesn't do the potholes or the gradient justice. This is the main street in Bunia. On th...