Gadgets, gizmos, & get-togethers

Rain is falling in the valley this morning as well as here at RVA.  But I don't mind.  Rain is needed for the people's shambas (gardens, small farms).  This is the short rains season and this is to be expected.

Today is leaving day for AIM (Africa Inland Mission) missionaries from all over Kenya and Tanzania. Every other year, AIM schedules a Spiritual Life Conference for its missionaries here at RVA.  As explained in the conference brochure, this is a time for "rest, refreshment, friendships (new and old), laughter, and healing".   A variety of activities are planned for adults and kids over the four days of the conference.  Programs for Nursery and Toddlers, Kids K-6th grade, and Teens 7th grade and up are offered.  For the adults numerous and varied offerings include:  workshops, forums, computer help, hair cuts, counseling, massages for ladies, and a garage sale (where our grandkids usually buy Christmas presents for the family).

The highlight of every conference is the 5 scheduled Praise and Worship sessions which typically feature the invited conference speaker.  We have attended some of these conferences during our past visits.  While I found former speakers interesting,  this year's was by far the best I've heard.  His name was Eddie Larkman.  He has over 25 years of pastoral ministry in London and is currently the minister at Corsham Baptist (I knew there was a reason I liked him from the get-go.) Church in Wiltshire, Southwest England.  Eddie spoke (with a great British accent) about God's Amazing Grace using texts from 2 Corinthians.  He is an extremely interesting, entertaining, and educational speaker.  As his bio says:  "... (he) speaks out in love and humility ... (and) teaches in a gentle but challenging way."  Eddie is currently battling prostate cancer and is having a blood test next week to determine the effectiveness of his first round of treatments.  After Eddie's last talk, everyone at the conference reached out to him in a very moving prayer ceremony.  I ask that every Christian reading this blog would add Eddie Larkman, a fellow brother in Christ and child of God, to his/her prayer list and beseech God to bless and heal him.

As I am writing this blog, the skies have darkened,  thunder can be heard, and ... wham! The rain poured down with a thunderous roar upon the metal roof of the house.  This rain is late in coming and much needed as I wrote earlier.

Whenever and wherever rain comes pouring down kids will want to run out and enjoy the water from the sky.  Ian was no exception.  Upon hearing the rain hitting the metal roof with much force, he disappeared as others rushed outside to enjoy the nurturing rain.  Suddenly, Ian burst forth from the house with umbrella and boots and immediately stood outside as the water pummeled him from above.  I'm sure the shambas joined Ian in celebration.

Jeff had a new guttering system added to the house to direct the water for ultimate collection.  Unfortunately, the piping needed for directing the rain for capture has not yet been installed.  The picture at left demonstrates that during a heavy rainfall there will be plenty of water to catch and store for household use.

Pictured at right is a plastic, 1,000 litre tank which Jeff purchased yesterday for use in capturing rain water from the roof gutter system.  Ian and Lyndsey were instrumental in getting the tank ready.  When Jeff got the tank down from the roof rack of the Land Rover, a dent near the bottom of the tank was noticed.  Lyndsey was lowered into the tank.  She braced herself against one side of the tank and pushed out the dent with her feet.  Later when installing hinges for the tank cover, one of the small nuts used to bolt the hinge in place fell to the bottom of the tank.  No problem!  Simply lower Ian into the tank and let him retrieve the nut.  Be advised, the tank pictured does not contain any children.

People often ask to what household uses is this collected rain water from the roofs applied?  Well,  the washing of clothes;  the watering of gardens;  the flushing of toilets when water restrictions are in place on campus.  Is the water ever used for cooking and drinking you may ask?  Yes.  That is for what the gadget at left is used.  This valve is installed on the collection tank.  The ends of the "T" contain filters to make the water safe.  Incidentally, this gizmo is produced in Holland ...
Michigan, that is.




The past couple of years the RVA maintenance staff has been replacing the old, inefficient solar water heating systems on building roofs.  The one at right is a typical unit with a smaller, more efficient solar panel and water tank with automatic shutoff system.  These units are of Chinese manufacture.  Jeff and Joyellen's house has one such unit which works very well.  Water is heated up to as high as 90 degrees centigrade.  (194 degrees Fahrenheit)  That is under optimum sunlight conditions which is not always.  While we've been here the water temp. has been around 50 -53 degrees C.  (122 degrees-127.4 degrees F.)

 But what to do when there have been days of successive clouds?  The solar heated water is really not warm enough for morning showers.  That is when the gadget at left is put to use.  This is an electric shower head.  Connected to 220 V. via a switch placed outside the shower, the unit heats the water as the liquid flows over heating elements within the gizmo.  Want hotter water?  Adjust the water flow more slowly.  Want cooler water?  Adjust the water flow faster.  Great idea until one realizes that water and electricity really don't mix.  People have been electrocuted using these devices.  Well, there is no OSHA in Kenya.


Time to close today's posting.  Until tomorrow when ... there is more to come.