I have been a little remiss this week and slow to think of what to write. The trip to and from Johannesburg was uneventful, but still wearying and took time from the usual schedule. The school was very nice about letting me have Friday off. In fact, when I returned today, Monday the 2nd, they gave me an all-new class to teach, Form 2 Mathematics. The head master asked me a couple of weeks ago if I would teach this class, and I said sure, give me a book to teach from (what’s the curriculum, at least!) and he seemed surprised that I would need something like that. Today he handed me a Form 2 text book and told me to teach whatever I felt comfortable with. I started into Unit 2: (a+b)2, (a-b)2, and (a+b)(a-b). On Wednesday, if I do this same class again, I’ll get into quadratic equations of more flavours.
The trip to the ophthalmologist was an anti-climax. The high point of all the eye problems was the appointment in mid January when he told me all was well. This time, he said pretty much the same thing, that my sight is progressing as expected. He also said the same thing my optometrist in Canada said last year, that I was lucky. I guess to catch the problem early as well as to recover well. God has been good to me. If circumstances were only a little different, I’d now be blind in at least one eye. And, after gathering all those receipts and corresponding with the insurance company, I think they are getting prepared to pay us back for the emergency operation. I need to put that entire story together some time.
I’ve been reminded again on returning here to Malawi that we are well situated. The people are overwhelmingly good to us. One of the guards at the prison is a third-clerk of session. Yes, each church here seems to have two backup clerks. I had a good chat with him this morning in the sun, between classes.
On the downside, the prison system is really not good. For instance, some mornings the prisoners’ breakfast is late and once the class left half way through a lesson when breakfast was finally ready. And, they nicely asked to leave, aware that I didn’t understand the Chichewa announcement. I asked our guard friend about a prisoner I noticed who had only one arm. Apparently he was caught stealing and experienced some vigilante justice before finding his way into the prison system. I have written about a young man getting a 2 year sentence for stealing a bicycle (worth $100 at most). You can get a similar sentence for stealing a $10 cell phone. No wonder the prisons are overcrowded. My form 3 chemistry student is in for 11 years – I wonder what he did but I have not asked.
Last week I was getting ready to try an experiment with my chemistry classes. When I asked about some details, I was told that I couldn’t use the lab with my students. Today I learned that the lab is only used for final exams. How would that work?
I hope my readers are enjoying these little tidbits of our life here. The time will run out very soon – it’s already March. Feel free to make any comments. They are all appreciated. I’ll try to answer any questions you may have, or you can tell me all about the snow back home.
In the Warm Heart of Africa 
Thanks for the update! It’s very interesting to hear about what you are experiencing there. It sounds like you really need to be flexible with your plans and expectations.
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Hi Steve, So glad you are back with Nora and can actually see her (and other stuff too). I can only imagine the tedious process for getting money out of the insurance company. I’m sure you have plenty of documentation for their reading pleasure. I can’t say that I’m surprised about the reasons that people are in prisons there. I had been wondering about that. I am sure that our government here is quite clean compared to many places. I am intrigued by the concept of doing an exam in a lab where you have never been before. Sounds exciting! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us. Blessings, Vera Oh yes – the snow is still here in abundance. Hopefully some of it will disappear in the next couple of weeks as the milder weather prevails. Meanwhile, I have been in good health, albeit with some persistent back pain. I am considering getting someone to do my cleaning for me to prevent the extra strain on my back that sweeping causes. Still getting older, I guess!
On Mon, Mar 2, 2020 at 11:14 AM In the Warm Heart of Africa wrote:
> stevemcinnis posted: ” I have been a little remiss this week and slow to > think of what to write. The trip to and from Johannesburg was uneventful, > but still wearying and took time from the usual schedule. The school was > very nice about letting me have Friday off. In fact, when” >
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You & Nora are our eyes & ears in Africa. Your blogs are so informative – I feel as if I’m taking a class with you.
Yes, you are certainly Blessed re the results of your eye check-up. Thank goodness you acted immediately last year, mid Choir Concerts, to go to the hospital. Medical Science has certainly advanced even in the last few years.
This will be my first year in 34 years when I have no students in the Festival. The Tenor you heard in June, has decided not to enter. My other students have not been taking long enough to put in the festival. However, I’m going to work as Secretary or whatever they need during that time.
Take good care, love to both of you. Pam
On Mon, Mar 2, 2020 at 11:14 AM In the Warm Heart of Africa wrote:
> stevemcinnis posted: ” I have been a little remiss this week and slow to > think of what to write. The trip to and from Johannesburg was uneventful, > but still wearying and took time from the usual schedule. The school was > very nice about letting me have Friday off. In fact, when” >
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Hi Steve and Nora. I am enjoying your blogs. Keep them coming! The snow disappeared here last week – then we got about 8″ of the fluffy white stuff on Saturday. Now it’s raining and the snow is almost gone (that’s in Mount Brydges). The sap is running and I’ve heard a robin singing at the top of his lungs, looking for a mate, I guess. Snow drops are through the ground and budding as well.
The CFGB display is set up at the London Farm Show and three Ambassadors are taking turns manning it this week, along with the help of dedicated volunteers. I was there about 4 hours yesterday getting it set up. I’ll show you pictures sometime. Our 10 x 10′ space looks pretty tight, but I got everything in (well, almost – only one director’s chair).
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