Sunday, April 26, 2009

Dox boys, sand and water: Day 1

Sorry for the long delay in posts.  We have been busy this last week hosting two guys from our home church, Doxology.   We spent the first day letting them adjust to the time difference (7 hours ahead of Oregon) and getting them up to speed on the project as well as some of the cultural info we could pass on.  Evan and Brad showed up and jumped right into the middle of things. 
The project they came to help with was putting in some water pipes in a village where Dox is involved in a water project.  
Scotty with the elders of the community where we were putting in the water pipe.  
When we arrived we were pleasantly surprized that the village had already dug the trench for the water pipe.  Had they not done this there is no way we would have been able to put both pipes in time.
A local shepard moving his cattle.  While working on the pipe we regularly had to wait for the cattle to finish drinking so we could turn off the water to cut into the existing water main to add a "T" for the new pipes.
Some of the local kids.  They are super sweet and cute and got a big kick out of us tubobs.  Check the mohawk on the little guy in the middle...money.
Another view of the elders and the trench.  They were really excited about taking ownership of the work needing to be done on the project, which was good and bad...does the expression "too many chiefs..." mean anything to you?
These cuties are shepards in training.  They were in charge of about 50 goats.  Someday they will move up to the ranks to handle 100+ cows.  
Leveling the trench so the water will flow properly.  Many of the kids and adults came out to help us with the work.
In the heat of the day we all ducked out of the sun.  Here's mohawk baby again with his Mama, and the skinniest horse I have EVER seen.  Oh, and yeah, we are sitting on a termite hill, why not?
One of the men of the village offered us his house to sit out of the sun in.  It was a huge honor to be invited into their private space.  His sons kept us company, the were very entertaining.
Heat does funny things to the human brain.  Fiona gave us these chiller things that you are supposed to wear around you neck to help keep you cooler.  The guys thought it would be more effective if they dressed up like Rambo, why not?
As the finishing touches were put on the pipe for the first day a crowd began to form around the new shiny spicket.
So rewarding to watch the villagers as they turned on the spicket.  The guys had been working so hard that they wanted to play in the water a little.  Shortly after this picture was taken the water jugs started showing up.  It was wonderful to see their joy.
A perfect end to the first day in Keur Soce.  After this we all headed back to our rooms to rest up to start the whole process over again the next day.

8 comments:

Fiona said...

Oh guys, you just thrilled my heart to no end with that beautiful
picture of water running out of that spigot. You are awesome and Praise our amazing God!

Samantha said...

wow, that is so awesome. What wonderful pictures, thanks so much for sharing and thank you for the work you're doing. We miss you!

The Drakes said...

LOVE it! praise the lord for the ability to show his love through supplying physical needs. speaking of: love the cell phone chair - ha! -- j

Elizbeth said...

this is all super cool! I'm so excited that you guys are doing such amazing work, and having fun while you're at it! keep brining water and joy to those people and keep learning from them (I'm sure they have already taught you so much)! I pray for you often,
Peace!

Unknown said...

Awesome guys!!!! I bet that feels amazing to complete a big project like that.

Unknown said...

Almost....we are in SD for a few days...trail starts Thursday!!

peteandjenn said...

Alright!!!

Andrea said...

Hey guys. How are you doing? Every time I visit your blog it seems to be more exciting than bevore. Somehow I'm really a bit jaelouse..And I'd like to come back.=) But God's ways are always interessing, doesn't matter where we are. =) Take care and have a blessed time. Greets to everybody.