Zim

I’ve been in Zimbabwe since my time in Malawi installing wells ended (a little over a week). It is my normal to do some travel to visit friends before I come home. I am all the way on the other side of the world. I did consider trying to get home earlier after Helene but also realized it would be expensive and I will be there soon. (Less than 3 weeks)

Small but mighty

Pink towel and a big smile!

I’m visiting Ute who I lived and traveled with while in Malawi. She’s got a family here that I’m watching grow up and a beautiful spot to relax in. Life is hard with currency changes, supply issues, etc. but it is good too. Good school, garden that gets many birds and other animals, access to amazing national parks, etc. 

Within this week we went to an Oxi day presentation (the kids go to a Hellenic school (Greek)). Both kids were part of the presentation. 2 swimming galas - one for each kid.  Friends birthday party in which we found a bush baby (so soft and friendly with sticky paws as it climbed up). Along with spending time on their new covered veranda, coloring, crocheting, reading and games  

Good friends…love it!

Energy wall

(And happy birthday dad!!)

We drive with the windows down in the trucks unless there is a dust cloud coming or you’re going through a place known for tsetse flies. The air con works (but is very dusty to start and I think makes it harder to go back and forth from well install to truck ac). 

We are driving and driving 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 and get ready to get out of the truck. The roar is getting louder and when I look out the window I 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 walked out and hit a wall of heat (I’m from the south) but this was stepping out and hitting a wall of energy and sound! 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 2 in this village) and we slowly made our way there. The energy didn’t stop. Songs, ululations, clapping and dancing. Continuing 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. I remembered an evening in Pearlington, MS where I was a volunteer coordinator after Katrina when someone said, ‘ coming here is like jumping into a pool full of Jesus. ‘ amen.  

Reflections

After the birthday celebration on the last night, we went around and heard from everyone about what they saw, experienced, some short reflection on being in the field. Here are some:

⁃ At our orientation we were told that being here would make us younger. But after 3 weeks in the field our bodies tell us differently. But our spirits, yes, our spirits have been rejuvenated!

⁃ every village was a new honor, to be there on the day their well was being installed. 

⁃ amazement at the continuity of time and effort of the MMM workers and volunteers

⁃ Leaving the well and hearing the joy behind us of the village and the clean water

⁃ Headman told us that just ‘last week we lost a child to an open well, now we won’t have that worry’

⁃ The mountains have been flattened with smiles, the valleys filled with gratitude 

⁃ The village prayers that are so powerful in the blessings of volunteers coming so far, workers coming to a place they have no ties

⁃ Messages on my phone from a village where we installed, the disbelief that we came and they DO have clean water

⁃ 2 crippled brothers who left their wheelchairs to join in the dedication

⁃ ‘The only water I’ll boil now will be water for tea!’

⁃ Continued cries on my phone for more clean water, more wells

⁃ I saw the old water hole, one I wouldn’t have stepped into in waders. 

⁃ Overnight delivery of a new radiator for a truck in TZ where overnight delivery isn’t a possibility. 

⁃ Only together can we be who God created us to be. And when you pray, move your feet. 

End of team 2

Saturday we all came together again. From Zambia, Tanzania, and Malawi we met back where we started in Mponela. We have dinner all together and then joined in a conference room to share our experiences, thinking about how to tell the story, raise the money for wells, for clean water, for our neighbors. 

We got the numbers. Of the 4,450 wells that is the goal this year, 3,227 wells have been verified and installed so far!! Team 3 (the Africans) will finish up in the next couple of weeks. We also were told that only 2,109 wells have been funded so far…but that we have until January to fix that. 

So once again $475 will get you a well card, all money goes to wells unless otherwise designated, and any amount helps! Donate here 😃💰

It started with a surprise birthday party for Mama Jocelyn. Her 80th is coming up and she told Tom that she wanted to celebrate with the field officers and coordinators. She had no idea this was coming (as it is about 5 months early). She was crowned, jeweled and sceptered. Each of the 4 programs brought a cake and sang to her. It was elaborate!

Babies & Kiddos

A big reason I’m here: 

The smiles, handshakes, big eyes, faces and games. Dances. 

They sidle up wanting to be close. Or they make sure they are as far from you as possible but keeping you in sight.

 

I sometimes try to mimic postures to get smiles, following one around until they break down in laughter. I also like to continue shaking a hand long after it would be normal to let go. 

I hold babies, and thumbs up those who won’t get close. 

Agogos & Amayi

(Grands and mamas)

Another reason I’m here

Rheumy eyes, big smiles, strong handshakes, slow walks with canes to the well. Heartfelt thanks as they look into your eyes. High pitched ululating celebrations. They carry little ones on their backs and sit with them during the dedication. Grateful that clean water has finally arrived in their village.