Chapter 13 - Page 171 - Tunnel Vision

   He allowed her to fly for thirty minutes, then told her how to turn around. She completed the maneuver and steered the plane back toward the airstrip. Jim landed the plane and they hangared the aircraft, then drove back to the village.

   When they arrived at the dining hall, Rhasha excitedly told everyone that Jim had let her fly the plane. Everyone she talked to became as excited as her. They’d seen the plane when it took off and when it came in for a landing.

   Days turned into weeks. Jim and Rhasha’s love grew stronger and stronger. Rhasha had become a good driver, and Jim now let her do all the driving. She’d learned how to take off and land Jim’s plane, and did all the flying, too. She could fly well enough to solo, but Jim wouldn’t allow her to be alone in the plane.

   Jim hired Buju Construction Company to build additions to the hospital and dining hall, doubling the size of both buildings. The community now had a school and four teachers, all born and educated in Africa. Every child above the age of five was asked to go to school, and anyone who wanted an education was allowed to attend classes. Many adults found pleasure in learning and those in the village who had already been educated were always ready to assist.

   Jim was planning to go to the United States and wanted Rhasha, Jackie, and Simbatu to go with him. He needed someone to watch over the village while they were gone, so he decided to set up a village government. Jim announced there would be an election and encouraged people who displayed leadership qualities to have their names added to the ballot. He launched a campaign to educate those in the village about elections, so people would know how to become candidates and how to vote.