Today we travelled to Ganta, around 300kms north-east of Monrovia, where I am ministering at a conference for the week.
The plan was that we were going to leave early this morning, as my first meeting here was to be tonight. But, this is Africa.
Pastor Mac’s car is not in good enough condition to make such a long journey, so he had spent quite a bit of time trying to find someone who was willing to lend/hire a car to us for the week. On Saturday he located one that was suitable and available, and organized for them to bring it to us this morning.
Yesterday afternoon that changed. The car’s owner would not be able to bring it to us, but Mac would have to go in to the city (about an hour’s drive away) to collect it and bring it back here. So, no early start as planned. We would go when he came back with the car.
This meant that I had time to pack this morning instead of doing it last night as I had originally planned, then there was the waiting around time. Mac’s wife called me early for lunch, and I thought that was a sign that we were ready to go.
But no. Mac had come back with no car. Apparently the owner had taken it away somewhere over the weekend and it had been damaged, so it was now at the mechanic being repaired.
Mac was concerned that several changes of public transport might be too much for me, but I said, “If that’s what we have to do, that’s what we have to do.” So he went off in search of some kind of transport for the first leg of the trip.
To my delight, he came back with a kik-kik (tuk-tuk, 3-wheeler motor bike with a body built around it.) I love these little things – they are a cute, fun way to get around. I would love to buy one – it could live here and be a source of income for the church when I am not here, and be guaranteed transport when I am here. (I don’t have money to do this, but I like the idea.) So we kik-kiked off to the other side of the city, all the while enjoying a beautiful breeze as we travelled.
On the other side of the city we stopped at a transport depot – dozens of cars going to various places, all vying for customers. Mac found one heading for Ganta, and loaded our luggage. Then we had to wait, because of course the driver would not go with just two passengers, he had to get two more to make the trip worthwhile. There was also some angst between him and the people running the depot over some kind of payment, but I didn’t really grasp what that was all about.
Finally we were off on the four hour trip to Ganta. About an hour into the trip, we pulled over to the side of the road. Flat tyre. The guys hopped out and helped take the wheel with the damaged tyre off, but of course there was no spare. The driver flagged down a motor bike, which already had a passenger, and after a bit of negotiation he became its second passenger, holding the wheel at the back. After about half an hour he returned with the tyre fixed, and we were on our way again.
After a couple more stops for various bits, I realized – I think I’m becoming African! I had absolutely no concern or anxiety about what time we would get here. It’ll happen when it happens. Hakuna matata!
We did finally arrive about 6. The driver dropped us in the city, and we had to wait for the pastor here, Pastor Leanely, to meet us. They came by kik-kik, so then went off to find a car for the short journey to where I am staying. This is a rehab centre which I think is run by the church, and I have a room with ensuite bathroom, so everything I need. They said they wanted me to rest tonight, and I will begin ministry tomorrow.