Nothing is simple

Ingrids training began today.
Training was delayed by 1 1/2 hours because the Bonface & Zelita's daughter Deborah got sick. They took her to the hospital last night and she was diagnosed with an asthma episode (Ingrid and I both bet not). However, the drug she needed was not available in the hospital, so it became Bonface's responsibility to find the drug. He found it at the largest hospital in Blantyre. Then he was able to pick us up and bring us to the training centre.

The entire group has one rented japanese minivan available, and Bonface is the driver ...

We get here, and all are assembled and everything is in order -- the fan is placed to point to Ingrid, all the notebooks and pens have been handed out, everyone is wearing name tags and all are singing. We adjust the noteboard that has missing screws and a missing leg and we are good to go.

Ingrid gets started and she is very good. She goes through Joshua 1 and shows everyone what it takes to be a leader -- "Be strong and courageous". They are absolutely spellbound. At certain times everyone bursts out in applause or an "Amen". Her translator is Lyson (My mnemoic is Lysol ... but I need to be careful!). I have no idea if his translations are accurate, but wow are they passionate. I sat in the back alternately laughing because of Lyson's passion (he's burning serious calories), and crying because the whole scene is beautiful.

The kids are generally quiet, and when they are not, mom brings out the solution. Some others just sleep.

Then the power cuts out, the one light bulb goes out and the fan dies. No big deal, no one even mentioned anything. Power here is sold like prepaid phone cards, and apparently the card ran out. We were told that someone was running out the top up the prepaid card. Carry on.

Now Ingrid moves on to the leadership models shown in Exodus 32 -- the story of the Golden Calf. She shows how Aaron is a terrible leader, and what Moses does in this crises. You could see the faces illuminating.

Then the rain came. With the tin roof, its loud in here. But no worry, carry on. Ingrid is hard to hear, but as the rain beats louder, Lyson gets louder and even more passionate, as if there was no way he would let the rain win. Then, just as we are talking about the Israelites at Mount Sinai, there are large cracks of thunder -- enough to make Ingrid jump. No real reaction from anyone, carry on.

Power's still out, and we find out that now the storm has knocked out power. This affects lunch preparations. No big deal, rain has stopped, so bring out the firewood, and move the cooking to the firewood. Carry on. We eat at one PM -- we as the honorary guests are seated separately with the leaders, and are served nsima (corn meal cooked, stirred and patted to a jamaican sized patty), a sauce, some lettuce/tomatoes and chicken pieces. It was quite good, though we avoid uncooked vegetables. Gave eating by hand a good shot, but I just don't have it ... and that nsima is hot.

There are some very astute questions which Ingrid answers. Then we find out that no one else has eaten, so they take 15 minutes to leave and eat their nsima (I'm sure without meat).

Then afternoon session (with fan) starts. This session is Judges 4. She does a masterful job of bringing the story of Deborah, Barak and the battle with Sisera to life. Lyson is even more excited in the battle scenes, half-acting out the foot soldiers marching and the chariots being defeated. There are cheers and applause when Sisera is brought down.

I don't think I'll ever forget this day.