Greetings from Bangui!
Today was our first day to venture out and start working on some of our projects. I will give you a little run down of what we did and then share some of the thoughts of the day.
We spent our day at Water for Good's office compound. Challenges awaited us. The first was to install an electric well pump that will will run off of solar power because there is very little electricity from the town system, so there is no water when the power is off. I brought the 5' long pump in my suitcase, had to dismantle it at home, so now I have to remember how to put it back together. The other part of this is to install two more solar panels to help produce enough electricity. Fortunately, they are already here. Good news, it worked! We have water.
Next we started working on the equipment that is being stored here. A backhoe, forklift, and farm tractor, all are in need of some work to get them started. One thing you quickly learn is you have to be creative, because, usually if you need something, they don't have it and so you have to improvise. So today we had some successes and more "to be continued" projects.
The Water for Good office is set in a neighborhood and I asked the question, "why was this place spared from the looting by the Seleka rebels?" It seems they came to the gate twice but for some reason they did not enter. Praise God. Unfortunately, for most homes in the neighborhood, this is not true for them. Many houses are empty because people fled for their lives, and some even lost their lives at the hands of the rebels.
As we drive back and forth to where we are staying and the office, Jim takes the opportunity to talk to his guys and listen to their thoughts regarding the war. The stories represent the pain associated with the conflict as well as strong feelings on the future of the country. Please pray for our brothers and sisters, they have suffered much and only God can bring them hope for the future. Please pray for Jim as he continues these conversations during our time here. For those who can speak English I also take the time to ask about their families and how they are doing.
Thanks for your prayers for us. On a lighter note, you probably don't feel bad for me that I am sweating while I am typing. I saw a thermometer that red 95 degrees, IN THE SHADE! I am guessing it was at least 10 -15 more in the sun. Fun in the sun for the Son.
Tim
Today was our first day to venture out and start working on some of our projects. I will give you a little run down of what we did and then share some of the thoughts of the day.
We spent our day at Water for Good's office compound. Challenges awaited us. The first was to install an electric well pump that will will run off of solar power because there is very little electricity from the town system, so there is no water when the power is off. I brought the 5' long pump in my suitcase, had to dismantle it at home, so now I have to remember how to put it back together. The other part of this is to install two more solar panels to help produce enough electricity. Fortunately, they are already here. Good news, it worked! We have water.
Next we started working on the equipment that is being stored here. A backhoe, forklift, and farm tractor, all are in need of some work to get them started. One thing you quickly learn is you have to be creative, because, usually if you need something, they don't have it and so you have to improvise. So today we had some successes and more "to be continued" projects.
The Water for Good office is set in a neighborhood and I asked the question, "why was this place spared from the looting by the Seleka rebels?" It seems they came to the gate twice but for some reason they did not enter. Praise God. Unfortunately, for most homes in the neighborhood, this is not true for them. Many houses are empty because people fled for their lives, and some even lost their lives at the hands of the rebels.
As we drive back and forth to where we are staying and the office, Jim takes the opportunity to talk to his guys and listen to their thoughts regarding the war. The stories represent the pain associated with the conflict as well as strong feelings on the future of the country. Please pray for our brothers and sisters, they have suffered much and only God can bring them hope for the future. Please pray for Jim as he continues these conversations during our time here. For those who can speak English I also take the time to ask about their families and how they are doing.
Thanks for your prayers for us. On a lighter note, you probably don't feel bad for me that I am sweating while I am typing. I saw a thermometer that red 95 degrees, IN THE SHADE! I am guessing it was at least 10 -15 more in the sun. Fun in the sun for the Son.
Tim
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