2009Nov18

Today we needed to get cash flow reports to Paul of Sheneka and Alyssa farms. Much of the day was in front of computers. Miesa surprised me and showed up from his assignment from the Beltu area of assessing the situation of the tribes along with government paperwork. It was good to see him. I have grown to enjoy his friendship though it may be difficult to communicate fully. Danny the newlywed showed up briefly in the office for a teasing of the crowd.

In the afternoon we held to our promise to the Manager of the Nazereth Tractor Co. to tour their Belarus Tractor assembly plant. She is an interesting lady manager. Her name is Fatuma something and she is a well kept Muslim lady. You would not think of her as a manager but we have learned that this plant is government owned and politics may play a role in her position. Because it is owned by the government Paul feels it necessary to buy some equipment from them to make for good relations. We all had preconceived ideas that a Belarus tractor is far inferior to its competition and after the tour and test drive those ideas proved to be correct.

I so badly wanted to like something about this tractor but found very little. It looked cheaply made, the cab was primitive and the shifting was very confusing and there is no draw bar in the back. They said no need for that just hook up to the three point arms. Paul still thinks we should buy a few for pulling trailers, running augers etc. They did however have some trailers that they make there that may be good for tanks and a people movers.