Sorry for taking a day off but I thought I would combine Sat and Sunday post.
Saturday was another work day. I got a later than normal start due to some fighting the night before in the area on the way to the office, so the guys wanted me to wait for awhile to make sure things were settled down. Work involved finishing the water system hook up to the plumbing system, final repairs to the tractor, and wiring the solar panels that were now mounted. Finding the pipe fittings I needed was a challenge and a little expensive, but Gerard was able to get me what I needed. Once the system was hooked up, I discovered a leak in the next building. I am starting to get this African engineering skill, ha-ha. Knowing we did not have the proper supplies to repair the leak, and knowing how long it would take to get what we needed, and how costly it would be, I found some plastic pipe, Teflon tape, cut off fittings from another pipe, and hose clamps. Problem solved, leak fixed. I am concerned this will increase Jeana's expectations for me at home with my list of repairs ha-ha! All of the guys were excited to see the water flowing again, and that made it fun for me. We finished the other projects so now hopefully on Monday we will be able to drive the tractor and backhoe out to PK 22 to begin work there.
As I begin to reflect on my time here, it seems that except for the fighting that seems to occur every night, life is beginning to get back to normal. Street vendors are opening their roadside shops, and the markets seem busy with people. The school has now been open for 5 days, the taxis are running. At least on the outside, things are improving, but once you begin to talk to people, the real heart aches, hardships, and anger come out quickly.
Another sign of improvement we saw today, Sunday, was church services. Farel took us to church today in the neighborhood up the hill passed the high school. The church was pretty full, and it seemed pretty normal compared to other services I have attended in the past. There were probably 400-500 people at the Grace Brethren Church. At the end of the service, the Pastor invited us to have tea with him. He began by asking if we saw the bullet holes in the roof of the church. We said yes, then he shared how God had spared the church building, but many members of the church had been harmed and some houses were burned. He said there was a 12 week period that they did not hold services because it was too dangerous. He said, the chairs you are sitting on were the only furniture we could save from the house of one of the Deacons as it was burning. Wow, very humbling! He also shared how many of his congregation could not live in there homes yet and were staying at a Catholic mission compound just down the street. As many as 20,000 -30,000 people have sought refuge there. More are going back to their homes during the day, but then they come back to the camp for the night. With this in mind, what a joy to see and hear this church singing and praising God. So, there are signs of life, but these stories reminds us that things are not back to normal yet, and it is unclear how long it will take. On top of that, the rainy season is fast approaching, and inadequate shelter is not something you want to have when it rains.
Please continue to pray for us, but please pray for the people of the CAR. We are here for two weeks, but for them, this is reality every day.
Also, please consider supporting organizations like Water for Good. Water for Good is here investing in the people of the CAR through training them how to drill water wells, develop Ag projects, run radio stations, and help with sanitation. The people who work for Water for Good represent the hope for this country. They have learned skills to provide for their families and see how what they can do, can impact their country. Check out www.waterforgood.org and see how you can help. The conflict has been very hard and very expensive for Water for Good, but they are committed to be here working when not too many other organizations can. I am glad to volunteer my time to help them and partner with them. Thanks to all who donated money to provide much needed supplies for this trip. Please consider donating to help Water for Good so they can continue to work in these hard conditions to offer the hope of Jesus.
Tim
Saturday was another work day. I got a later than normal start due to some fighting the night before in the area on the way to the office, so the guys wanted me to wait for awhile to make sure things were settled down. Work involved finishing the water system hook up to the plumbing system, final repairs to the tractor, and wiring the solar panels that were now mounted. Finding the pipe fittings I needed was a challenge and a little expensive, but Gerard was able to get me what I needed. Once the system was hooked up, I discovered a leak in the next building. I am starting to get this African engineering skill, ha-ha. Knowing we did not have the proper supplies to repair the leak, and knowing how long it would take to get what we needed, and how costly it would be, I found some plastic pipe, Teflon tape, cut off fittings from another pipe, and hose clamps. Problem solved, leak fixed. I am concerned this will increase Jeana's expectations for me at home with my list of repairs ha-ha! All of the guys were excited to see the water flowing again, and that made it fun for me. We finished the other projects so now hopefully on Monday we will be able to drive the tractor and backhoe out to PK 22 to begin work there.
As I begin to reflect on my time here, it seems that except for the fighting that seems to occur every night, life is beginning to get back to normal. Street vendors are opening their roadside shops, and the markets seem busy with people. The school has now been open for 5 days, the taxis are running. At least on the outside, things are improving, but once you begin to talk to people, the real heart aches, hardships, and anger come out quickly.
Another sign of improvement we saw today, Sunday, was church services. Farel took us to church today in the neighborhood up the hill passed the high school. The church was pretty full, and it seemed pretty normal compared to other services I have attended in the past. There were probably 400-500 people at the Grace Brethren Church. At the end of the service, the Pastor invited us to have tea with him. He began by asking if we saw the bullet holes in the roof of the church. We said yes, then he shared how God had spared the church building, but many members of the church had been harmed and some houses were burned. He said there was a 12 week period that they did not hold services because it was too dangerous. He said, the chairs you are sitting on were the only furniture we could save from the house of one of the Deacons as it was burning. Wow, very humbling! He also shared how many of his congregation could not live in there homes yet and were staying at a Catholic mission compound just down the street. As many as 20,000 -30,000 people have sought refuge there. More are going back to their homes during the day, but then they come back to the camp for the night. With this in mind, what a joy to see and hear this church singing and praising God. So, there are signs of life, but these stories reminds us that things are not back to normal yet, and it is unclear how long it will take. On top of that, the rainy season is fast approaching, and inadequate shelter is not something you want to have when it rains.
Please continue to pray for us, but please pray for the people of the CAR. We are here for two weeks, but for them, this is reality every day.
Also, please consider supporting organizations like Water for Good. Water for Good is here investing in the people of the CAR through training them how to drill water wells, develop Ag projects, run radio stations, and help with sanitation. The people who work for Water for Good represent the hope for this country. They have learned skills to provide for their families and see how what they can do, can impact their country. Check out www.waterforgood.org and see how you can help. The conflict has been very hard and very expensive for Water for Good, but they are committed to be here working when not too many other organizations can. I am glad to volunteer my time to help them and partner with them. Thanks to all who donated money to provide much needed supplies for this trip. Please consider donating to help Water for Good so they can continue to work in these hard conditions to offer the hope of Jesus.
Tim
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