A day

We are up by 530 to have breakfast at 6. Sometimes we hear the Muslim call to prayer before 5. Breakfast is an egg, 2 pieces of white bread, and hot water or milk for tea or coffee. Then it is off to the CCAP where the Zambian MMM office is to load up the pipes and pumps and parts and tools needed for the day. The plan is anywhere from 6 to 10 wells (so far). Then to the market to pick up Coke or Fanta for lunch, bread, peanut butter and water. Then we drive...

The roads are bumpy (understatement of the year)! If you can call them roads...many aren't. We are not on paved roads for very long. Some of the dirt roads are better then others. Some are wide and have been graded sometime in the part, though usually before the last rainy season so they are pretty rutted. Then there are narrower dirt roads, and then we turn off on a footpath or through a field. Sometimes we can drive right up to the well site and sometimes we walk to get there.

Park the truck and get all the parts needed for the well: big pipes, skinny pipes, the pump, foot valve, connector pieces, suction piece, pipe wrench, tool bag, android (for documenting and GPS). Usually there are plenty of people to carry the pieces to the well...I've only carried parts once this trip!

At the site MMM workers get busy putting the well together. Kimberly and I greet everyone who is there (some of the kids take off running or just stare at us). Then enter the info into the android...water depth, well depth, village name, builder, etc. When the well is installed we dedicate it and take a picture with as many people from the village as we can...sometimes that is many people and sometimes just a handful, it depends on the other activities of the day such as markets, funerals, etc. They are always so grateful and want us to thank those who have thought of them and don't know them. Sending God's blessings with us on our way to continue in this work.

And we're off to the next well...until we decide we have to head back to get in before dark (somedays estimated better then others)...

Weekend

We got relaxed Saturday afternoon when we got back from our 4 well morning. On Sunday we went to a joint service with 5 different churches (different denominations!) Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, United Church of Zambia, and another....it was a choir extravaganza! The sermon was on the commandments... Both the Old Testament's 10 and the New's greatest (love God, love your neighbor). It was about follow in the rules and laws. There was lots of laughter from the congregation. Not too much was translated for us... Though we were told that the preacher said that there might be some thieves in the congregation and if they were listening that stealing was wrong.

The other line I really liked was, " be happy, this isn't a funeral", just before the joint choir sang and we all danced!

The service lasted 4 hours (would we ever!?!)

We went for lunch at the castle in Lundazi. It is the largest castle hotel in Africa and is a national monument. Supposedly the queen (of England, I think) stayed there at one point. It overlooks a lake.

Back to the hotel to get ready for another week of well installations! Here we go!

*maybe a photo of a joint choir with a very tiny addition

And the castle (if not, will be added later)

Wells!

It is now the end of the first week! I am exhausted and exhilarated! It has been fun working the Kimberly and Isaac as well as our many installation supervisors and builders. Many of them have some English and we are getting lots of laughs with our Chitimbuka.

Muli uli? Makola! (How are you? I'm fine!)

Day 1 we did 10 wells close (ish) to Lundazi where we are staying. We had 2 pretty deep wells (about 30ft) and used up all of our long (new) pipe at well #9. But we had enough left to splice for the tenth well. Many of our wells have 6 feet of water (being used to team 2 and farther into dry season it often comes up shorter). One of the wells was installed at a school, Kimberly and I did 'Head, shoulders, knees and toes' with them as the installation was happening. We received a chicken at each well along with fresh sugar cane, bananas, cassava, greens. We were told at one village they waited for us the day before and had a whole celebration planned (with homebrew available!) But that many had to go to a funeral that day. (Might have been safer for us!)

9 wells on day 2 even after getting lost on the way to the office to load pipes and get Isaac, a flat tire before the first well (our spare was padlocked in but the other truck was just behind us so we took theirs), got stuck in the sand twice, both pipe racks were cracked (only one was our fault)! So many things that never happened to me on previous trips...all in one day! Many ground nuts that day. One mama sent the child who caught a chicken for us back because it was too scrawny!

6 on day 3...varied gifts of chickens, maize, rice, greens, tomatoes, ground nuts, and beans. Got some dancing in with the women! Isaac told us that one of the youth was surprised to see white women because she thought that all azungus were men.

Saturday is a half day and we got 4 wells done. As we drove up to one well they were jumping up and down and singing! We knew we were in the right place! So much fun!

Down time with a total of 29 wells...time to sleep, read, and get ready for church...

Zambia!

*trying something new on posting through my email...don't know how this works or if it does. The title should be Zambia!

We're off! Early on Tuesday morning, Mr. Mhango, the Zambian MMM Coordinator, took us (4 of us, myself, Kimberly, Dan, and Don) north in Malawi and then turned west and we headed for Zambia. When we turned west, we got our first taste of the bumps. Most of the roads are not paved other than the main highways, and the roads do not get much maintenance so even the paved roads are rough with potholes. The border was not a problem, bought our visas and continued bumping along. We arrived in Lundazi where we stopped by the bank to change money (dollars into Zambian Kwacha) and then went to the hotel. We are staying at the Johnester Executive Lodge.

Our field officers came by with Mr Mhango and brought sim cards for our MMM phones. Isaac Ngoma would work with Kimberly and me, Goodwin Banda with Don and Dan. Relax, get settled and ready for tomorrow...(both Kimberly and Don are first timers, exciting!)

Protected water*

We are here! 18 volunteers to cover 57,000 squares miles in 3 different countries to help install 2800 protected water sources!  Well, we will start the installations for 3 weeks and then Team 2 will come in to complete the wells. We are from AR, NC, IL, GA, CO, MI, SC, and VA.

I have to admit, I love not being jet lagged for the first day! Helped to set up the tool boxes that will go out with the trucks. Had dinner and went to bed...after fighting with a stiff mosquito net...and realizing that my kindle had attached to an internet system and the date was now set to Nov 15, 2015 at 9 am....not helpful for my wakeup alarm in the morning...sorted that out and slept well.

In the training we went over cultural differences, record keeping on androids, picture taking, installation and dedications, money, phones, tool boxes and driving! It was a long day but now we should be ready to head out! I'll be working with Kimberly Richey and we are headed to Zambia!

If you would like more info on Marion Medical Mission click here.

If you would like to sponsor a protected water source and help ~150 people to get clean water for only $400, click here.

If you would like a devotional for each day of our trip, click here or send an email to devotions@mmmwater.org

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement!

*Shallow wells now has a negative connotation here in Africa due to a shallow well not having a set definition and an open hole can he a shallow well and people get sick from them.

Malawi!!!

I'm back!!!  The flight from Scotland to Malawi was smooth and uneventful. Isabelle was waiting for me at the airport, I just had to get thru customs. Not much of a problem as I had all my papers ready to get my visa. The crush of people around the baggage claim made me unable to get to my bag the first time around...

(PSA: if everyone at every airport would stand 3 feet back from the conveyer belt and only move forward when they see their bag, things would be much smoother!)

Isabelle and I headed for the lake! We arrived at Cool Runnings and spent a lovely weekend! One day of wind and waves and a morning of glassy smooth water, lots of sun. Also very hazy! The water in the lake is lower than normal as the rains didn't fill the rivers that feed it. Not a good sign!

We left Sunday for the airport to drop me with the first team for Marion Medical Mission arriving just as they exited to load up the trucks and head to Mponela for training!

Cumbrae and more

Cumbrae and more

We went to the Isle of Cumbrae one afternoon. We went to hike around the northern edge (basically around the whole island). It was a rainy day. Emma was ecstatic as she wanted to experience what the typical idea of Scotland was. We all know it rains lots in Scotland but she hadn't really seen much of it. We all had a great time. Cumbrae has reddish beaches from the rock there and is very pretty. We saw a seal swimming off the coast.

 When we were about halfway around we stopped for tea (it has stopped raining and the sum was even peaking out) and we found out that there's was a 10 mile race happening. About 3 minutes later the first runners ran by. Another family was at the cafe and had come to support the racers. They brought a bagpipe and the father and son took turns playing at the roadside. We waited for the crush of runners to pass and then continued on giving encouragement as we were passed. By the time we made it to the town it had started raining again. We hopped on a bus for the last 2 miles back to the ferry along with many many runners.

One day we took to hike to the caves beneath Culzean Castle. You have to hit it at low tide. There are 3 or 4 caves below (we forgot to bring our flashlights so there wasn't much exploring we could do). One of them will lead into the castle if you know where you are going (have a guide). There was a school trip out that day leading about biology and finding creatures in the tidal pools. What a fun field trip!

Our last day we went to the Mull of Galloway, the most southern tip of Scotland. There is a lighthouse there (you can go up on the weekends-it was Wednesday). A nice museum that explained how the foghorn worked(s). It is now owned by the RSPB (Royal Society for Protecting Birds). There are many different types there. We saw 2 kestrels hovering in the strong winds. Most if the rest were gone for the winter. The weather was playing with us...from sunny to rainy and windy. It was gorgeous to drive along the coast and then be surrounded by the water. We drove home through forests and over the hills. What amazing beauty!

Highland Games

Highland Games

The Highland Games happen in different villages around on different days. We hoped for good weather and drove up to Pitlochry (about 2.5 hours north). It was a gorgeous day! The atmosphere was a family day out mixed with a school track and field day. It was amazingly organized and coordinated (they've had about 150 years to tweak it!).

We found a place that was front and center (though I think you could sit anywhere around the track and have a pretty good view of many of the different competitions).  Scottish dancing went on all day--the same competitors with 4 different dances (and outfits) done twice...2 to 4 dancers on each stage at a time.

Behind that were the heavy lifting and throwing competitions. Tossing the caber (the telephone pole) is not about how far you can throw it but how straight it lands after being flipped end over end (aiming for 12 with the thrower at 6 on the imaginary clock). Throwing the stone- with the stone in the crook if the neck either from a standing position or after spinning. Throwing a ----- , they stand backwards and sling it around before letting it fly behind them! These competitions were done twice, one for locals and one open (those who compete all over - not randoms from the audience). One of the locals broke a few records for the Pitlochry games! He made it look pretty easy!

There were races both in foot and on bicycles, children through adults. Males and females ran together as did different ages. They had someone who would set a handicap at the starting line. We happened to sit right where they placed the finish line.

There were 16 (or so) Pipe Bands from all over who marched in and around the track as they were introduced. They then came back one by one for the competition. At the end they marched in together as a mass band (divided into 2 mass bands) and played all as one. That was impressive (very glad we were outside!). 

And in the very back of the field there was a tug of war. I'm not aire I've seen adults tug if war...each round took ages as the teams would lean back to almost horizontal and then wait for minutes before anything else happened. I'm not sure if it was a signal from their captain or a feeling that someone on the other team had loosened their grip...There would be some grunting and movement before they settled into the horizontal 'resting' position. The announcer made several quips about them being there until 7 that night or even the next morning. 

Falls of Clyde

One of our hikes was to see waterfalls. There had been some rain so the river was up...It sprinkled a little but for the most part it was a gorgeous day. Every new bend in the trail/river led to another fall (we might have counted 13?) and spectacular views. Known to be a good place for some bird viewing...though we didn't see anything.  

In the past, I think it was a loop trail, and we did see people across the river occasionally, but this bridge was the end of our trail! The sign on the gate says that the metal bridge was constructed to replace the rustic timber bridge in the early 19th century. The warning at the bottom says that due to missing segments the metal bridge is structurally unsafe and asks that you not attempt to cross it...we didn't. 

Isle of Arran

Isle of Arran

We caught the ferry across the water to visit the Isle of Arran. We could see it across the water most days from the house but it was in the habit of hiding behind clouds when it was misty/rainy.

There is a road around the island and one that crosses the middle and that is about it. Many different villages around the track and some beautiful things to see. 

The first is a Scottish castle- Lochranza. The Scottish castles were basically stone square towers. Doors and windows were all pretty high to discourage unwanted visitors. In later years (after construction) new owners would add on if they wanted or had the means.

We hiked to Glenashdale Falls through beautiful forests with ferns and heather and mosses--looked like a great place for fairies! The falls were very tall and the hike was worth it though there was quite an incline to the too and around.

There are many stone circles. At Machrie Moor there are the remains of circles and a lovely walk across pastures at a working sheep farm.

Connie and Clive

Week 2-Maidens

In our second week in Scotland, the Andersons flew home and we moved to Maidens with Connie and Clive. They have spent considerable time at the Open Door in Atlanta where Emma lived and had offered to host us for the rest of our stay. We jumped on the opportunity and absolutely loved our visit! They showed us so much of Scotland!

They live just down the beach from Culzean (pronounced cull-ain?!?) Castle with a view of the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig (after which their home is named) just over the back garden. We took many walks to Culzean and wandered the grounds, had tea and visited the caves that are underneath in the cliff face. Along the beach, through forests, the paths lined with heather and black berries, gorgeous ocean views and a castle. We could have been happy exploring there for most of our trip but there was so much more to see!!!

One of our outings was to Galloway where the poet Robert Burns is commemorated. He lived there and spent time in Maidens, too. There was a wonderful museum that had a video rendition of the poem about Tom O'Shanter as well as many interactive displays. A walk along a path with statues of things from his poems leads to the house where he grew up. He was one if the leads in using Scots in literature.

Isle of Arran

Culzean Castle

Ailsa Craig

Tom O'Shanter fleeing the witches from Robert Burns's poem

More from the first week

We visited Loch Lomond and the village of Luss. Climbed up one of the mountains overlooking the loch. They looked like hills to us being from the mountains of North Carolina until we started climbing...we thought we were getting close and we would come to another rise with more to go. We didn't make it to the top--our parking meter time was up--but we did make it to some great views both over the village and up the loch.

That afternoon we went to watch the Badminton World Championships! 5 courts all going at the same time, games ending and starting as they go...always something to watch. It doesn't seem to matter about body type in this game though a long reach is helpful, the birdie (shuttle cock) slows enough on the way down...at least I think that is what happens.

On Sunday I (we) got to meet Rhona's parents! (I lived with Rhona my first year in Malawi.) Alan and Allison came to pick us up and took us for coffee and then to their home for lunch- a wonderful prawn paella (thanks Alan!) Then we went for a great walk around Helensburgh. So much fun to meet them!

Other highlights of the week:
  the hedge maze at Scone Place in Perth (the scones were OK)

  a demo of hunting birds such as falcons and owls at Scone Palace

  a visit to the Auchentoshan Distillery where we had a very enthusiastic tour guide and a tasty sample of one of their whiskeys.