Good-bye hens

We are now a chickenless household.

Ever since my experience with the rat and the rapidly developing escapologist talents of one hen in particular I have been quite keen to find "Scotch" & "Rye" (named by James) a new home.  Today they went off to live with a family from church who are hoping to develop a croft and ultimately use it to work with disadvantaged youngsters.  I know the hens will be well cared for but I feel strangely bereft.  It's not that poultry are very bright or loving but they are warm and soft, come running when there's the slightest prospect of anything edible and make lovely little noises.  (That is when they're not squawking their heads off for no apparent reason.)  What's more, they're a lot more productive than cats (though we love Ari dearly) and we'll miss our large fresh eggs.

I have had something to take my mind off their departure.  I was sent my first book from ACTS (Africa Christian Textbooks) to edit.  It's great to get started although it highlights the fact that we're in the second month of the year already and we're hoping to get to Nigeria in the sixth.  There's so much to do which can't be done yet, we're just hanging on and trusting God, getting ready to ride the wave.  Anyway, this book, by a Nigerian author, is on the subject of Christian marriage and the ideal home.  I'm finding it very interesting and extremely down-to-earth and practical.  It does however give an unsettling insight into the attitudes of some of the Nigerian Christians when the start of the book is taken up with reasons why it is not good for a husband to beat his wife!  It shows how great a need there is for good books to teach and encourage the Church in Nigeria.