Saturday morning Bill went out with the elders to a service project for a member. We cut back some of the jungle of grass that surrounded her homestead. The bush knife I am using is not the right instrument for this. Elder Eddy is using what is known here as a slasher. It is basically a thin strap of steel that is bent about 7 inches from the end. When sharp – and they hardly ever are and used properly – something I am still trying to learn – they cut the tough grasses fairly well. However a basic manual weedwhip with serrated edges would cut much faster. Of course the best thing is a powerful gas operated whip with metal cutters would be even better. Both are much too expensive for most people here so it is a slasher and a lot of muscles that gets grass cut.

At the same homestead we found a large metal grain grinder that has been in use since it was bolted to a metal post in they yard some 33 years ago. Elder Eddy volunteered to grind a hopper of sorghum for the sister. We all thought this would be an easy task for us three elders. How wrong we were about that. It took a good 15-20 minutes with us working in shifts to get it ground.

It was great to be able to serve in a different way. I am going to suggest they teach basic slashing techniques to all missionaries – including senior couples – who are going to South Africa.