Then, it was more hot and dry days to follow. Pastor Mwanza told us that often farmers will get impatient when the first rains fall in October. If they plant their seeds at that time, most likely the birds will feast as seeds won't germinate in dry soil. He always waits until November 15.
You may be wondering as we did when we first heard this, why does it make a difference? All you have to do is water your crops if the rains don't fall; isn't that right? Nope! Most farmers do not irrigate their fields. By planting according to the rains, they avoid the extra expense and labor that irrigation requires.
When the landlords moved, they took all of the tools that Augustine used to take care of the grounds. When they came for the wheelbarrow, shovels, hoes, water barrels, and hoses, the look of bewilderment was all over his face. If you will remember, that was at the time when our water was off more than it was on. We needed the hose and water barrels.
Since the tools are necessary to maintain the grounds of our home, Jason sent Augustine to check prices as we can never get a fair price for anything like that. He negotiated prices, found the best ones and then hauled all of the tools home on his "work truck."
Augustine has two bikes. The heavy metal bike is used for hauling loads of all sizes and weights. He had a rack made for the back. The lighter bike is used for running errands. On Sunday mornings, Augustine pedals the heavy bike with Farai on the back while Bridget rides the lighter bike and off to church they go.
I only wish I were home when he returned from the hardware store with his new wheelbarrow and tools tied to his bicycle. He has promised to re-create the scene so that I can capture it with my camera.
The garden area of our home is huge. Truly it is one of the largest gardens I've ever seen, not that I'm any expert on gardens but you get my drift. After the very first rain, Jason and I woke to a steady crunch, crunch, crunch of dirt. We looked outside and there was Augustine, digging the soil by hand. In one day, he hand-tilled the entire garden area! There are no mechanical tillers to be found in Ndola.
I photograhed the garden in sections to give you all an idea of just how large it is. Jason estimates it to be 8000 square feet including the pool area.
The garden is "L" shaped.
The left of the Matamba home is also part of the garden. This view is taken from behind our house.A few days later, we awoke to the same sounds coming from the pool area. He utilizes the area around the pool for vegetables as well as the huge garden. The skies were blue for several more days before the rains came.
What I absolutely love about the rain here is that it cleans trees, flowers, grass, sky of all the dirt, dust, and smoke that collects over the dry season. When the rain stops, the sun shines brightly and everything looks new and is refreshed. It also cools the air just a bit but adds loads of humidity so we are still just as hot and sweaty as ever.
Today, Jason and I were in town to buy a printer. We visited several stores before finding one that sold printers. The selection we had to choose from was one HP laser jet printer, one HP ink-jet printer, copier, scanner combo, and one scanner which obviously isn't even a printer but still it was offered to us.
Without any options, the decision was a simple but painful one to make. We paid four times more for the all-in-one printer than we would have in Oregon. Jason and I constantly try to avoid comparing buying experiences with those available to us in the states. But sometimes, we just can't help it. If it weren't absolutely necessary to have a printer and copier for school and ministry, we would just forget about a printer.
As simple as it seems to buy the printer, nothing could be farther from the truth. Before taking it out of the store, the printer must be unpacked, loaded with ink, plugged in, and tested. This takes FOREVER because no one is in a hurry. It's like watching everything in slow motion.
While the clerk was taking each and every paper, CD, sample photo paper out along with the printer, it began raining cats and dogs. In just ten minutes, a river formed where our taxi was parked. One good thing about the clerks moving in slow motion is that by the time they were done testing and repackaging my printer, the rains had stopped and the "river" under the car had receded enough for us to jump over it without ruining our shoes.
Before leaving, I glanced around the store for printer paper. Do you think the store that sold the printer had any paper to go in it? Of course not! Isn't this just crazy? So back the other direction we drove to find a store with computer paper.
While Jason and I were in town buying muslin for curtains, a few groceries, the printer, and finally the paper for the printer, Bridget and Augustine planted part of the garden with maize (corn). They finished just in time to get under cover before the heavy rains pounded the soil.
From this point until mid March or so, rains will fall almost daily. Zambians welcome the rain and look forward to the new crops they will nourish.
Tomorrow I promise to take pictures. Today just didn't offer photo opportunities.
Blessings and joy,
Beckie
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