A Plug for Electricity!

Our gate that allows us to come and go into our house or property had almost come to a standstill!  It had gotten so hard to "roll open" that I couldn't even move it.  Since we moved here it has always been a little hard to open.. you really had to push and pull it with a lot of muscle to get it to opened or closed!  But this weekend... not even the guys could move it without nearly "busting a gut"!  

So, we called the landlord and after a couple of days she sent these two guys---who literally have changed our lives! 

After sizing up the situation, they left to bring the right parts and tools.

This was the first wheel they installed!  It even raised the gate a couple of inches.  

BUT this is how they did it.  When the older guy came to the back porch outlet 

to "plug in" the electric equipment I nearly died.  I said.. Where's the plug?  You are going to get electrocuted!"  He smiled and said, "It's ok".  

And he proceeded to do exactly what you see here. 

He didn't get electrocuted.  hmm....

So, i went out to the gate to check out what was going on there. The younger guy was already soldering on the gate latch at the bottom of the gate. 

And THIS is how the soldering iron was connected!  There was not one plug

on any piece of electric tool that they had.... All of it was hot-wired! 

I mean, really, who needs OSHA when you can stand on a ladder like this 

and solder (at least with goggles on!) with a hot-wired tool????
(While the other guy holds onto the metal)

And even better if you can do it with a container of WATER in your other hand.  

I was having heart failure because i don't even know how to call an ambulance here. 

A storm had been threatening all day.... the electricity went off for about an hour so finally they were getting done. 

In the meantime....  the mower guy was spinning away with his machine that runs on gas!

He got out little yard done in a little under 2 1/2 hours.  Now we have to rake!

And this little baby flitted down and sat on the "hot-wired" box that they guys were

working from.  Innocent brought her in to show me and then set her in the palm branches.

She didn't stay there long though.... She was very tiny and just free-fell to the driveway. 

I never saw her again so i hope her mommy got her.

MEANTIME...

by late day, the gate was done...... and no one was dead or injured.  I was so relieved and seriously, I'm not kidding.   And it didn't rain until both the gate and the yard were done! 

( A real blessing)

BUT THE GATE!!!   It can now be pushed back and forth with one finger.  

It is SO very wonderful.  What a gift!  

BUT i didn't get to Bruce fast enough when he can home that day and he flung the gate open with his usually intensity... and it flew right off the rail, it went so fast.  

Not to worry.. he and Bob ( visitor from the US to CMU/Rwanda) got it back in-line! 

It was a very industrial day at this "no address" house.... but i do hope that someday 

Rwanda will put a plug on every tool!  

And THAT is my PLUG for electricity!

Oops, the electricity just went off.. HA!!!!  

Our neighbors generator is whirling!

That's life in Rwanda!  It keeps us all grinning.
love,
margie