Life in Lundazi: Solar Edition

People often ask us what life is like in Africa.  We can't speak for the whole continent, but in our little corner of Africa the electric is sporadic.  Thankfully, we usually don't lose electric for more the 15 hours at a time, but it does happen frequently.  We may go 10 days without losing power and then lose power for the next 10 days straight.  Thankfully, we cook on a gas stove so loss of electric doesn't prevent us from eating!  But, it does mean that we have to use solar powered lights at night.  We have three permanent lights installed in our living room, kitchen and dining room (thanks to installation help from my Dad and some gift money from First Baptist Chester) but the rest of the house we light with portable solar lights.  We also received two solar battery chargers for Christmas from Heathers parents that we can use (and have used already) to recharge our phones, Ipod, and camera.  

Yesterday we lost power at noon and it came back on at 1 a.m. this morning.  So, today was "recharge day" for the solar lights (see pic below).   They take about 10 hours in the sun to recharge the batteries.  Here's to hoping that we won't have to use them again for a few more days! By the way, the word for "light" in Tumbuka in Nyali!  (pronounced Na-y'all-e)