Tool boxes

I arrived in Malawi a week before most of the American volunteers to help prepare for the teams.

With 19 volunteers coming for team 1, we planned to prepare 20 tool boxes. These are big black action packers (industrial Tupperware) that will hold what we need for well installations. 

And then we found out they’d already been done! Yeah! The staff here is dedicated, diligent, and on it! There was more to be added but it came with volunteers in Lilongwe …

Here’s what we take with us into the field:

•18” pipe wrench 

•24” pipe wrench 

• 1⁄2” tap and handle (to thread pipe if the end isn’t already)

• 1⁄2” die and handle (to thread pipe if the end isn’t already)

• Sandpaper 

• Metal file 

• Wood rasp (coarse teeth) 

• Tote bag – to carry tools to the well

• Hack saw (and extra hack saw blades) 

• PVC solvent cement can w/applicator & 6 bottles of PVC cement

• Tape measure (25 ft)

• Sharpie pen to mark PVC pipe

• Matches

•Wire brush

• 4 Rachet straps (to keep pipes on truck during transport)

• 5 Bungees 

• Wiping rags 

I’m amazed that this is all we need to finish installing wells and giving the gift of clean water. 

Any amount small or large will help to fund this life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org

Feet

Jessi Stitt

Volunteer, North Carolina

  

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

~ John 13:14-15

  

I notice the feet around me all day. In Malawi, shoes are not a requirement. Many people don’t own shoes or only bring them out on special occasions. Shoes are worn until there is nothing left to keep them on feet. Mismatched shoes are worn. I’ve seen women walk with one shoe on and the other was being carried to make them last longer.

 

I have a thing about shoes. I don’t really like them (I’d rather be barefoot). My feet blister easily when enclosed. And they get too hot. So while I do own closed toed shoes, I don’t wear them. I am now almost 365 days a year in sport sandals (even in the snow).

 

After a day in the field, my feet are dusty to say the least. The dirt has been ground into them. When I take off my sandals, there are white lines where my straps have been. Looks like tan lines, but it isn’t. Washing my feet at the end of the day is such a great feeling. Soaping up and watching the dirt come off feels good. 

 

It makes me think of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and how I, like Peter, wouldn’t want anyone else to wash my feet. Nor would I really want to wash anyone else’s. But I see the holiness in this act. It is a vulnerable place. Feet can be stinky. Feet can be strangely shaped. Feet can be ticklish. Feet can be tough. And feet always seem to be dirty.

 

Jesus says, “Those who have bathed need only wash their feet to be clean . . . I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

 

While I don’t go around actually washing feet, even at the well sites, I follow and try to serve others when I can.

Application Question: What can I do today to follow Jesus’ example and serve others?

 

Prayer: Almighty Creator, thank you for this day. For the example you gave us in Jesus. Thank you for the dirt under our nails and for the water to wash it away. Help us to remember your example and to go out and to serve our neighbors near and far with love in our hearts and joy on our lips. Amen

Any amount small or large will help to fund life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org

What a week!

Happy birthday, Mom!!💗💐

The count for weeks 1&2 is 1,262 wells installed! I’ve personally witnessed 70 of them! From gogos (grandparents) to children, everyone excited for this safe drinking water (or just to see a mzungu). This water that will cut down on diseases, cut the hours spent walking for water, make life just a little bit easier. 

We’ve been gifted rice, cassava, chickens, bananas, plantains, lunch (rice or nsima with meat). There have been songs and dances, hugs and laughter. So much joy!

The driving is long, bouncy, and exhausting with mango trees overhead (got to watch those pipe racks), potholes below, people and animals coming from both sides. I broke a bridge and then spent an hour and a half watching people repair it. 

(Not one I drove over)

Francine and I moved to 3 different hotels as e we moved up the lake and still haven’t had time to swim (NOT my choice) but we’ve seen some gorgeous sunrises. 

Now I’m back in Dwangwa (where we started). Francine has gone to work around Mzuzu. This having 2 trucks is different…

Building

*most pics from building of wells witnessed last year. 

Beginning in August, the builders for Marion Medical Mission start training for building wells. They come together and build the training well. 

-Digging until they hit water and then 6 ft more so that there will be water even through the dry season. (We’re at the ‘end’ of dry season when we install so if there is water then, there should be water year round.) 

-Getting the stones for the bottom and making the bricks to line the inside of the well.

 -Cementing the rounds once they are some way up

. 

-Forming and pouring the concrete top slab that will cover the well. 

-Preparing the area for the apron and drain, flattening it and surrounding it with brick and stone to protect the concrete. 

And then they go out to the villages that have been picked to get wells this year. They are the skilled help to build their wells. 4,100 wells will be built this year. 

American volunteers arrived @ September 21 to begin driving to these villages, bringing the pipes and the pumps to finish the wells, to dedicate the well and teach proper use, to celebrate this blessing of clean water. 

Any amount small or large will help to fund this life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org

Sunday

An update on installations! In the 4 days we were able to install this week, 410 pumps have been installed! Ulemu kwa Mulungu! Glory to God!

We went to church with our Field Officer Mwanjikho in Dwangwa. Actually his lovely wife Veronica came and picked us up. 

An open building that seemed to have just enough seats for those gathered. Children running around free both inside and outside, mostly quiet but definitely welcome. 

The prayers were corporate. The person up front would start but everyone jumped right in. All speaking at once of all their own prayer requests. It sounds like chaos but the energy is palpable and the belief that God hears us all is beautiful. 

Veronica preached today! Using John 4;34 about doing the work that has been given. She used us a examples of people who know what our job is in Africa and who come to do the work. And we do it. And when we get home we can say we did what we were supposed to do. 

So what are we supposed to do in our lives? How will we know what we are supposed to do and when we’ve done it? We have to find our focus like Paul, like Jeremiah. Find your focus and figure out what is distracting you. 

She was very good at switching and translating herself-back and forth English and Chichewa. But I’ll admit I didn’t follow after this. It was quite repetitive on finding your focus. I moved to loving your neighbor as yourself. Whatever you can do to do that.

We then went to their house for lunch of rice and chicken under a tree. With entertainment from his youngest, Francis.

Installations!

Once everyone arrived, we had training on Tuesday (welcomed from coordinators and founder, how to record well installations, use our phones, get our money, etc) 

Wednesday we headed out. (The Tanzanian team left early Monday as they had a LONG drive ahead of them)

It took Francine and I about 4 hours to get to Dwangwa. Only 120km (75 miles) away, that might give you an idea of the state of the roads or lack thereof. 

In two trucks Francine and I took off in the same direction yesterday to install well but we wouldn’t see each other until we were back at the hotel. Aiming for 8 installations we both succeeded in 6. 

At one well a young woman prayed in English for safety. At another well a man talked of the physical demonstration of God’s love that this well is in their village. 

I sang and danced and was ready for dinner and a shower at the end of the day. 

Today we again went our separate ways. I got 7 in. My installation team HD their own MMM shirts made! 

 A woman asked for blessings for those who support from America as well as the workers here. This is a great day of celebration for us!

Many when asked for comments say I have no words. This means the feeling are too big and that thank you isn’t enough. 

It is so beautiful being back here!! 

Any amount small or large will help to fund this life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org

Team 1

They’ve arrived! We came down from Mzuzu on Saturday. With 11 trucks, 9 tool boxes and bits and pieces…(for those who don’t know…I broke my left arm 6 weeks ago and the cast can come off today! I was leery about driving 1 handed but as we needed so many trucks I stepped up. Bumpy dusty and long but no problem)

(Missing our TZ guys as they left early Monday morning)

1 volunteer came in on Saturday, and 5 more on Sunday, and due to weather in Ethiopia 11 more on Monday. Plans are in place for who is going where in which truck but it is all still subject to change (of course). And then did as everything got delayed by the delay.  After the first week, there will be a determination of moving teams to get to areas where the wells are ready. They are still being built as well. 4,100 wells…here we go!

Today was training. Welcomes from all the coordinators. Learning androids and taking info at the wells. How to try to get the best pictures at the wells. Money and how to keep track if expenses. Reminders of cultural differences. Truck driving and practice. Assignments of where we’re going. 

I’m partnered with Francine and we’re going to work with Field Officer Mwanjiko in Dwangwa which is close to the lake but not quite at the lake. We’ve been given two trucks as well, so we’ll be out for the day on our own but staying at the same hotel. 

Any amount small or large will help to fund this life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org

Early- trucks

I’ve arrived in Malawi a week before most of the American volunteers to help prepare for the teams.

With 19 volunteers coming for team 1, we’ll need at as many vehicles ready to go as we can so we’ll have spares if something goes sideways.

Today Doug and I checked 8 vehicles. All but one that are at the Mzuzu House.

-Checking keys- where is the extra set, are there keys to get to the gas tanks, to the spare tires, to the doors as well as the ignition! (Each truck has at least two keys, some have 5)

-Making sure spare tires are in trucks as well as the tools to change a tire when needed, and that all the tires have good pressure.

-documents- certified to drive (yearly inspection), insurance is up to date, license plates on the front and back, signs that say no unauthorized passengers on the windshield 

-Check lights, brakes, lighter ports (used for car chargers for phones), horn, mirrors, emergency items (first aid kit, fire extinguisher, traffic triangles, etc)

A test drive around the block…busy but productive day!

Any amount small or large will help to fund this life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org

Joyful noise

This is today’s devotion from MMM that I wrote after last year’s installations. If you’d like to get daily devotions sent to your email click HERE or email devotions@mmmwater.org

 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing.

~ Psalm 100:1-2

  

We are driving, windows down, headed to the next village, and I hear a roar from afar. Looking around I don’t see a source. It is a constant noise…and it’s getting louder. We stop at the edge of a village and get ready to get out of the truck. The roar is getting louder and when I look out the window I finally see the source. Women and children coming toward us, yelling and chanting, singing and dancing.

 

As I open the door and get out of the truck, the people are upon us. I’ve experienced walking outside and hitting a wall of heat or humidity (I’m from the South), but this was stepping out and hitting a wall of sound and energy! There was barely room to get out of the truck there were so many people.

 

MMM workers got the well parts off the truck and headed to the well site. We volunteers continued to sing and dance at the truck because we couldn’t move with all the people around.

 

I pointed toward the first well (there were two in this village) and we slowly made our way there. The energy didn’t stop. Songs, ululations, clapping, and dancing. Continued energy that didn’t stop until the well was installed and it was time for the dedication.

 

I was at the same time exhausted and exhilarated from all the dancing and joy. An evening in Pearlington, MS where I was a volunteer coordinator after Hurricane Katrina came to mind: Someone said, “Coming here is like jumping into a pool full of Jesus.” Amen and amen.

 

Application Question: Make a joyful noise to the Lord today by singing, helping or . . .

 

Prayer: Gracious and loving Lord, thank you for the joy that you have given us to share with others. Help us to see and feel the blessings that are all around us. Remind us that love and joy grow when shared just like ripples in the bucket of water in front of us.



Any amount small or large will help to fund this life giving gift. For $475 (an entire well) you will get a picture of the well and some of the villagers that you have sponsored. To donate go to mmmwater.org