Journey to Bum

Here is the first installment of our trip to Bum (pronounced Boom).  This is the place 100 miles north of us that we have been going off and on since February of 2010.  It takes a good 7 to 9 hours to drive there if you are willing to abuse your vehicle.  We praise the Lord for fruit starting to grow from these trips.  We were invited by the Fon to be his guests for the 20th of May celebrations, perhaps the biggest national holiday.  Since the Fon made me his palace messenger, how could I refuse? :) 

David and Godfred accompanied me this time...their first time to Bum.  David is a member of our church and does a lot of work for me.  Godfred is assistant pastor at Gateway Baptist Church where Camp Joy is located.  He is good friends with Chrysanthus who wasn't able to go this time.  It usually works best to go as a group of three.  We have one friend, Roger, there in Bum who joins us in what we do.

 Chloe waving goodbye as we were pulling out! 

Halfway to Bum at the Ndu tea estates.  David and Godfred had never been up to this point on the Ring Road, so they really enjoyed seeing new places. 

 Our safe arrival in Fonfuka, Bum, parked in front of the guest house where we always stay. 

 Visiting a friend of David and now our new friend. 

Our unbelievable break down on our way back to where we were going to sleep.  The wheel rod (I don't know the real name, sorry) that connects to the chasis broke off leaving the back wheel hanging limp.  We tied it with rope and were able to limp back to a suitable parking spot for the night. 
The reason for the stressed out rod was no doubt due to the week springs that were installed immediately before the trip.  I asked that the mechanic put stronger and higher springs on the car to help us handle the big stones and ditches in the road on the trip.  Well, he put higher springs on that turned out to sag when they had a load of cargo.  The car ended up being very low and thus received alot of abuse including this breakdown.  I plan to put the original springs back on soon. 

...more to follow...