Preparing to return to Monze

 

I think it is time to put another post on my blog!

We are just coming to the end of a September heatwave, no doubt sent to get me acclimatised in preparation for my next visit to Zambia - in a month's time.

I am looking forward to getting back to Monze and catching up with my many friends. As usual there have been many challenges. Luke – a friend for many years continues to need medical treatment. Luke was a young man who I starting working with at Monze Mission Hospital in 2004. We were developing a database to record transactions at the hospital stores. In 2004 I stayed in Monze for 4 months and returned over a number of years to develop the computer systems at the hospital. In 2006 he joined Dilys and myself for a trip to Lochinvar – a national park renowned for the rich variety of birds – including the Maribu Stork, Secretary Bird, African Fish Eagle, hornbills, hummingbirds and very many others. Unfortunately on this occasion we spent much of the time stranded in the sand – fortunately Luke helped me to get moving again. This trip took place not long after the terrible accident when two members of staff, including my friend Bentoe, died when a hospital vehicle was involved in a crash. Luke's uncle was also in the crash and was badly affected.

For me Zambia has always been about the people. For 20 years I have made friends and shared experiences. Diven continues to struggle along! One day I will write his story! He has allowed me to understand a bit more about the day to day challenges faced by so many in Zambia. He rang the other day to say that his lights no longer work. He thinks that the sun is too strong and the power from the solar panel is making the wires burn out. £10 should enable him to sort out the wiring! He needed to buy some salt a few weeks back to reduce the level in his toilet! His solar fridge is no longer working properly – probably because a new battery is required! Children regularly need new uniforms, school fees etc. His shop still struggles to raise an income. There will be a lot to discuss and hopefully my understanding of the issues will grow.

There are so many people who have enriched my life and continue to do so. My involvement with Monze, Zambia has been truly lifegiving.

I went to Slimbridge last week. I wanted to take some time out, to relax to think and enjoy the nature. Some people seem to visit Slimbridge to chase rare birds and tick them off their list! While the twitchers waxed lyrical over the “Med Gulls”, I enjoyed watching the swallows swooping over the lake hunting insects. Swallows were some of the first birds that stirred my interest in birdwatching. They joined housemartins and sometimes swifts joyfully playing around our university halls of residence.

They have an added interest for me now because they also make an annual trip to Africa! When I saw them last week I realised that they would set off for Africa before I take flight. As I left the hide I was greeted by a small flock of swallows that performed in front of my shadow.

I often realise the importance of my faith in God. My relationship with God changes, but at its best it is a very personal friendship. I feel close to my God with my friends in Zambia. Particularly the poorest and those who are sick. Often when I feel at my lowest my God reminds me that he (or perhaps she) is still present. At Slimbridge I felt that.

I moved to another hide – my favourite! It looked particularly promising because the usual wet areas had largely dried up – all that was left was a pool in front of the hide. I like this hide because most people take one look – see nothing – and move on. Without the wetlands, it looks even less inviting. Leaving me to sit in peace and isolation!!

Over the years I have enjoyed a number of interesting sightings. A few years ago our grandaughter Cheyenne spotted a crane making a nest – the first for over 100 years. I was sceptical – but in fact it was the start of cranes breeding again in the UK. I once spotted a kingfisher in front of the hide and on another occasion I saw a Great White Egret – a bird that I had only previously seen in Zambia.

I had a word with my God and said perhaps he could send me another Great white Egret and maybe another kingfisher. I seemed to get the answer that I can't dictate to God and expect to get what I want.

The joy of this particular hide is that it provides a wide horizon looking across the River Severn. I love to watch the movement of the birds. Ducks, geese, herons and cranes can be beautiful birds, but when they take flight they become very special. At this hide I once saw 7 cranes fly from a distant field straight towards me then take a sharp right turn to treat me to a very special fly past.

After a good amount of peaceful time I spotted a couple of birds flying past side by side. I immediately though of Great White Egrets. They were that beautiful bright white. They had their necks extended in front and their legs trailing producing a wonderful streamlined form. I then realised that Great White Egrets don't have large black wing tips! I looked for Great White Egrets in my bird book, but instinctively looked up White Storks – and they fitted my recollection.

A number of vistors came in, took one look and went out again! A visitor came and settled while a twitcher took a look and left, but bumped into a Wetlands Trust volunteer and started talking outside the hide. At this point a Kingfisher perched in front of me! I focussed my telescope and had a wonderful view as the chatting continued outside!

The volunteer came into the hide and saw the kingfisher. I took the opportunity to ask if it was possible that I had seen White Storks. She said that it was very unlikely and checked to see if anyone else had recorded a sighting. The answer was no.

The kingfisher left, but returned in another place on the pond. I refocussed my telescope. The volunteer left and the kingfisher left again. However, once again it returned. I refocussed my telescope. I looked away very briefly, but the kingfisher was still in the same position, however it now had a fish in it's mouth! On three occasions the same thing happened – I only looked away for a few seconds, but obviously enough time for the kingfisher to dive, catch a fish and return - pretending to me that it had not moved!

There have been times in my life when my God has just reminded me that he/she exists. There have been other times when I have known that I could expect something rather special and have always been amazed at the result. This wasn't one of those times, but White Storks (seen in Zambia, not usually in the UK – though some have recently been released in Norfolk) and a kingfisher seen fishing and eating it's prey in a place not known for kingfishers counts as a bit special for me!

So next month I will set off once again for Monze. We now have a new charity to support PIZZ – the project supporting vulnerable children through a school and pastoral support. We will have challenges to provide sufficient money to enable the children's dreams to be fulfilled, but the project is so good and the outcomes so positive that I am sure the school will develop and the children will be transformed.

I will spend about 6 weeks in Zambia on this visit which I hope will give me a bit more time to meet old friends as well as plan the future for PIZZ school.

With love and prayers,

 Chris.