Last year when we were visiting the church at Bungbali we notice a calabash tree with the most beautiful round calabash gourds growing off the limbs. We stopped and asked if we could get some seeds from the tree. The owner said that we needed to start the tree with a cutting instead of seeds. We were told that the tree would not give up her branches without them being paid for. We all laughed and we gave them a small monetary gift in exchange for the cuttings. First we put them in water to root and then we transferred them to pots. I was so afraid that Nazo would not water them while we were gone. I showed him how to make a single hole in a bag of water to water the trees. We were very happy that the plants were still alive when we got back. We decided that after yesterday’s rain it was time to plant them. They are not large trees; they are about the size of a peach tree.
We were busily working on the receipts for the IRS when Divine called. He said that his wife Gladys was in labor and that they were not able to make it to the hospital in Yendi. He said that they were in the village of Kulkpanga about 15 minutes from Yendi. He was trying to bring her into Yendi on the back of his motorcycle. He wanted to know if we could come and pick them up and take them on to the hospital. We jumped in the old van and hurried to the village. This is Gladys’ 5 child and we were not surprised when the baby was born a few minutes after we got there. It was another boy; this makes 4 boys and 1 girl for them. Divine said that he and Gladys were out in the field planting peanuts when she went into labor. Once the baby is born no one feels the need to take the mother and child to the hospital. There is a midwife in most of the villages. When we left they were heating water so they could give the baby a bath and then Divine was going to take them home. Divine has a motor king so it will not be difficult for him to get her home.
On our way back we stopped and bought some fresh cheese from a Falani lady. The Falanis are the tribe that watches the cattle. They also sell milk and cheese. After we bought some cheese from her she let us know that she wanted to go to Yendi so we brought her into Yendi. Today was her lucky day; she did not have to walk all the way to Yendi.
We made several trips into town this afternoon trying to find out the real names of the companies that we buy things from so we can “properly” fill in the tax withholding forms. Fun stuff!
Take care and say a special prayer for Divine’s new baby!
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
