Team 2!

They arrived just after Team 1 was through security (I imagine…I didn’t go to the airport, I relaxed at the hotel gathering strength for the next 3 weeks) big hugs for all who arrived. 

Another day of orientation and then assignments. I finally convinced someone to come with me (‘with’ meaning she had to get here on her own as I was already here). Val and I have been assigned to the Mzuzu area. This is northern Malawi where they speak Chitimbuka (not what I’m familiar with though can do some greetings). Also much more mountainous. 

We get spoiled by staying in the guest house of MMM. The days are still long and full of bouncing, joy, chickens and water!

Our first day installing wells we did 8. The first 4 we’re pretty easy. The second 4 we’re possibly the steepest I remember doing. Not far but strait down (and then back up to the truck). Today we did another 8 and one of the hikes was super long…of course it was the one I started off by running with the kids. 

Team 1!

 Team 1's three weeks is up! They flew out today. We gathered together on Saturday. Francine and I put in 5 wells along the way to lots of singing and dancing...

it was a beautiful day. Went and wandered through the market with one other team as we were early arriving at the hotel. 

The numbers:

Wells installed Team 1: 1398

Wells I helped with: 136

Goal for 2023: 4095

Wells funded so far: 1913

Help fund a well here 🪣💦

Installation

 We arrive and get the parts out of the truck. 3 metal pieces (head, pump, t handle), 3 pipes (big one, thin one, spout), 3 down hole plastic parts (foot valve, plunger, collar), tool bag (PVC cement, connectors, tape measure), and 2 pipe wrenches.

Get to the well site to find it cleared off (if they had warning we were coming). Attaching the head comes first. 

Then drop the big pipe down with the foot valve attached to measure the depth of the well and the water. Cut it off about 6 inches short and attach the collar so that it doesn't disappear into the hole. While that is happening a second person is putting the pump on the t handle and attaching the thin pipe that will then get measured to the big pipe and the plunger attached. 

All is dropped into the well and screwed in as tightly as possible. A small fire is lit to heat up the spout so that it slides onto the pump and voila 1 new well!!

Big day!

We were aiming for 15 well installations today and managed to conplete 13. Not bad! (In no particular order since I can't seem to move the pics around from my phone)

Sometimes when we arrive the sand and bricks from curing the cement are still on the well. It doesn't take long for the villagers to clear it off so we can get to installing!

Joy of splashing in the water!!

There is a pit at the end of the drain that should be filled with rocks and when it isn't there are usually plenty around as well as helpers!

Filling in the demographic information--well and water depth, gps coordinates, village name and number of households, who is at the installation (MMM, village head, water committee chair) and the photo!

So far we haven't had to drive across any scary bridges but there have been some to walk across (this is loose ish bamboo all the way across)

Devo

(This was supposed to post last week but I just found it in my drafts)

Today's was one that I wrote so here it is:

BEING PRESENT 

 Jessi Stitt Volunteer, North Carolina 

 You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand. - Psalm 16:11 

 Day 6: The last three wells we were going to install weren’t too far apart and yet, they weren’t all that close together either. When the wells are close, we can install, pray, and take a picture and then go to the second with the whole crowd to do the dedication service. Often we will walk between the wells. But these three wells were far enough apart to get their own dedication services and for us to drive to the next wells. 

 We installed the first well, did the dedication service, and took the picture. After the celebration we returned to the truck and drove to the second well. As we were installing it, I recognized a young girl in green from the first well. She gave me a shy smile, joining in the singing and celebration just like it was new to her. We dedicated the well, celebrated and returned to the truck to continue to the third well. 

 We were in the midst of the installation, I was greeting those at the well. I had shaken the hands of the adults and had moved on to the children – who are excited and scared to touch the azungu (foreigner). It sometimes takes a couple of brave souls to first shake my hand before the rest are clamoring to be next. And who should I see but the girl in green, that same smile on her face and her hand outstretched.  

Maybe she knew that she was seeing a miracle in the clean water. Maybe she was just bored and this was the most exciting thing happening in the area. Maybe she just wanted to be in another picture. But to me, it showed dedication to trek between the villages, participate in the celebrations. It showed joy in the happiness of new beginnings.

 I was tired, it was the end of a day at the end of a busy week. Her presence gave me energy. She reminded me that showing up can be a gift. 

 Application: When is the last time you had an opportunity to show up for someone? Did you do it? How will you show up for someone today? 

Prayer: Creator of all, Thank You for this day. Thank You for those who show up and are present. Help us to be one who shows up, help us to recognize Your presence in those around us. Amen  

Extra days

We take Sundays off. Go to church, rest, get ready for the next week. We went to St Benedict Catholic Church in Dowa las my week. Beautiful choir, altar boys and girls who danced during songs. 

That afternoon Francine and I went to Kongwe Forest Reserve where we found very few people and trees! Fall colors and a beautiful view and breeze. 

Wednesday was a travel day. We left Dowa for Nkhotakota, field officer change from Mr. Kamanga to Mr. Kaponda. Nkhotakota is at the lake! And looks to be the resort area. Rest assured we are still out all day putting in wells and while the area is flat, it is hot hot hot. But my day ends with a swim. 

This Sunday we went to Nkhotakota Game Reserve to see what we could see. We took 3 field officers with us. Elephants (one chased us!), a sick hippo, impala and bushbuck (too far for a good pic)

The day to day

We start out early. I'm awake but trying hard not to move at 5:30. Breakfast of potatoes and a boiled egg at 6:30. Then brush teeth and get in the truck. Load pipes (if they aren't already loaded) and head out for the market to buy lunch (bread, peanut butter, cokes, and cookies). Then at least an hours drive to the first well picking up a supervisor and a builder along the way. 

Meet and greet, sing and dance, 'help' with installation and inputting location and demographic info, dedicate and celebrate, then back to the truck to go to the next village. 

Break for lunch under some kind of shade and away from too many people. Then continue on. Repeat until about 4pm when it is time to head back towards the hotel so that we're there by dark. 

Shower, dinner (rice and veg and maybe chicken), and bed so we can get up and do it again!!