Déjà Vu

Touching down in Johannesburg, South Africa after 20 and a half hours of flying time, I was struck with the feeling of how familiar this was becoming.

I actually knew where to go in the airport, how to navigate customs and immigration, and most importantly, where to catch the shuttle to my hotel room and bed! I suppose that since this is my fourth trip in just over two years, that shouldn't surprise me.

The 4 ½ hour drive to Nelspruit the next morning was done to the soothing (?) tones of classical music on the rental car radio – I’d forgotten to bring my CDs.

A golden sunrise at Mercy Air, South Africa

Again, arriving at the Mercy Air base in White River almost felt like coming home. Pilot Paul Middleton (known as having the driest wit south of the Sahara desert) and his wife Cathy entertained me with some amazing Shepherd’s Pie and a “Soccer” game on the telly – a real British welcome.

Cathy and Paul Middleton - Mercy Air SA

After a day and a half of shopping for supplies and tools, it was into the Cessna 310 and off to Mozambique.

Tool boxes and tools for the Mechanics Training Program

I am very fortunate to be staying in one of the cottages at the ASAM farm this trip. It’s a great spot to spread out my building plans and prepare for the next two months of work.

A survey of the maintenance shop building site revealed piles of sand and stone ready to go, plus stacks of cement blocks for the walls. Hopefully work will begin towards the end of this coming week once the work crews have finished pouring the floor on the Women’s Centre elsewhere on the property.

Maintenance shop building site

600 of the over 4000 blocks needed for the project

My teaching time with the mechanics students will also begin on Wednesday of next week. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys again and picking up where Todd Green and Ed Hyslip left off last August. (sure wish you guys were here!)

I also got a look at the mahogany wood blanks that have been cut and stacked in anticipation of the woodturning project that John Topham will be initiating when he arrives here for the month of May. Can’t wait to see these “turn” into wooden bowls and other projects.

Mahogany wood blanks

So thanks for your continued prayers and support for Mercy Tech Mission.  You know what we say – together we are changing lives, one skill at a time.

Cheers!