We had arranged to revist the Rift Valley ecclesias in order to collect data, do an audit and distribute the ecclesial fund items for 2007.
We decided to travel to Mbamba Bay (the central point) from Itungi Port (near Kyela) which is near the top of Lake Nyasa. This was late Dec 06 and we knew that the roads would be bad. However it wasnt just the roads, but also the port had problems (full of silt). So we and a lot of others made the short detour to just outside the port to board the MV Songea. The road to the lake was very bad as it is now raining practically every day. We and others managed to get most of the way, but had to travel on foot for about 1.5km as the cars/trucks were getting stuck.
The journey took about 8hrs longer than normal when the rope got stuck in the propeller (not a wise thing to happen) at our second port of call. So instead of arriving Mbamba Bay on friday morning it was instead evening.
We were due to spend two weeks in the Rift Valley visiting all the ecclesias individually for the first time. Firstly we visited Lipingo (20+) and Chinula (6) ecclesias for a 1.5 days each. Lipingo meets in a building owned by one of the brothers and Chinala in brother's house. It was really great to be able to put names to faces to ecclesias. There is daily bus services from Liuli to Mbamba Bay and then onwards to Mbinga, the journey costing between 1,000 to 2,000 TSH each. The day after we returned from Chinula, the bus had an accident (tipped over) and a few people were injured.
I had another one of my famous (not) toilet experiences. We were staying at a brothers house which was very comfortable and roomy (inherited from his father). Anyway I was feeling good about "the facilities" as they are always the first thing I check out. We things were going well until night fell and I needed to respond. With lamp in hand I prepared to undertake my business. Well it was a good thing Im cautious as after removing the lid and positioning the lamp about 12 bats decided to decamp and flew out in dribs and drabs. Not fun I can asure you!
We then visited Malini (15), Kwambe (12) and Ng'ombo (20+) ecclesias in turn. We managed to get a car to the village where Malini ecclesia meet (mot Malini village). Then due to the rain we hired some bikes for the luggage and me and Carl and Jonathon walked to Kwambe (1 hour). Again due to rain we walked (luggage cycled) to Ng'ombo (which took 2 hours). Then it was back to Mbamba Bay and the ecclesia there. God looked after us and provided us with a kind 4wd owner who took us for 10,000 TSH from Ng'ombo to our Guest House in Mbamba Bay. We were thinking that we would have to walk as the transport stops when there is too much rain.
Due to the MV Songea haing major engine trouble we now had to travel back to Mbeya via Mbinga and Songea. The roads are interesting at the best of times, but in the rainy season very bad! The portion from Mbamba Bay to Mbinga was, well heart stopping. There was one patch where we didnt know whether anyone could get through the mud. We had been given good seats at the front of the 4wd (5,000 TSH each). I was next to the door which decided to fly open randomly. I had thought for the first few minutes that this would be a prolem, but soon decided that it was my safety - jump out quick if we crash door.
At Mbinga (coated in mud) we met our bro and sister Hyera. We thanked our heavenly father for his care and sent a few hours discussing the daily readings with our bro and sis. The next day after opening 4 PO Boxes we spend along to Songea where we spent the night. The next day we were fortunate to get last minute seats on the Scandinavia Bus to the Mbeya road junction from where we caught a daladala to Mbeya.
