Today we journey to the field to see firsthand the result of Triumphant Love’s campaign over the last 6 months. We set out to visit and bless 5 of the 6 wells funded by TLLC honoring the pastoral leadership of our congregation. Two of the wells are completely finished (Afkarma & Denba Kiremti) and 3 projects (Adi Egam, Hartafa, and Netsa) are in various stages of completion. All 5 of the projects are hand dug wells (HDW). This was actually a nice happenstance because it allowed the group to see various stages of the construction process.
At each of the project sites, the Pastors and Bishop engaged the community members and workers in prayer and blessed the well for the health and prosperity of the community. Each of the wells dedicated today honored Pastors Dan (Denba Kiremti), George (Afkarma), Norb (Adi Egam) and Steve (Hartafa) and Bishop Ray (Netsa) for their pastoral leadership of our congregation and synod.
Celebrating Wells of Love Travel Group
After a pretty challenging walk of about one hour, the group arrived at the first site, Afkarma, honoring Pastor George Reswick. The picture above is the whole group, with our REST support team. Special thanks to our drivers, who keep us safe and comfortable on our journey.
Pastor George collecting water at Afkarma
After prayers and blessing of the well, Pastor George joined the community in pumping and collecting water from Afkarma.
Coffee Ceremony at Afkarma
Our beloved coffee ceremony is never far away…..a great way to keep our energy up!
Construction of Adi Egam
Our next stop was Adi Egam, honoring Pastor Norb Firnhaber. It was at the earliest stage, with the work crew still working to line the well with stone and masonry.
The Plaque Honoring Pastor Norb
The plaque shown above will be affixed to the well head of Adi Egam upon completion. Pastor Steve conducted the dedication and blessing of the well.
Construction of Hartafa
Our next stop on our walking journey was Hartafa, honoring Pastor Steve Troisi. A bit further along in the construction, all of the below ground work had been completed and the above ground preparatory cement work had been finished as well.
Pastor Steve and Weredekal celebrating Dedication of Hartafa
Pastor Steve shared prayers and the blessing of the well with the workers and community members.
Construction of Netsa
As you can see from the picture above, Netsa, honoring Bishop Ray Tiemann, is almost complete. The inside cement work had just been completed, awaiting the placement of the pump head. The beautiful protective stone wall surrounding the project was almost finished.
Bishop Ray with the Plaque for Netsa
Bishop Ray shared prayers and the blessing of the well with the workers and community members….as well as a nice collection of cattle and sheep who also were present!
Pastor Dan collecting water at Denba Kiremti
Our final stop for the day was Denba Kiremti, honoring Pastor Dan Kolander. Before the prayers and blessing of the well, Pastor Dan shared a special message for the members of Triumphant Love, which we will share with the congregation upon our return. Pastor Dan then joined the community in pumping and collecting water from Denba Kremti.
The community members of Denba Kiremti with our travel group
The community members joined in our group photo at Denba Kiremti. Of course, the children love to have their picture taken and then see it on the camera display!
We were a bunch of tired travelers when we returned to Gheratla Lodge to enjoy a delicious St. George’s cold one! But it was an exhilarating and motivating day to see projects of the Wells of Love campaign come to life and to share in the hospitality and thankfulness of communities benefiting from God’s great blessing of clean water.
– Dick
* You can now also view each blog post on our new travel site located here.
Today we journey to the field to see firsthand the result of Triumphant Love’s campaign over the last 6 months. We set out to visit and bless 5 of the 6 wells funded by TLLC honoring the pastoral leadership of our congregation. Two of the wells are completely finished (Afkarma & Denba Kiremti) and 3 projects (Adi Egam, Hartafa, and Netsa) are in various stages of completion. All 5 of the projects are hand dug wells (HDW). This was actually a nice happenstance because it allowed the group to see various stages of the construction process.
At each of the project sites, the Pastors and Bishop engaged the community members and workers in prayer and blessed the well for the health and prosperity of the community. Each of the wells dedicated today honored Pastors Dan (Denba Kiremti), George (Afkarma), Norb (Adi Egam) and Steve (Hartafa) and Bishop Ray (Netsa) for their pastoral leadership of our congregation and synod.
Celebrating Wells of Love Travel Group
After a pretty challenging walk of about one hour, the group arrived at the first site, Afkarma, honoring Pastor George Reswick. The picture above is the whole group, with our REST support team. Special thanks to our drivers, who keep us safe and comfortable on our journey.
Pastor George collecting water at Afkarma
After prayers and blessing of the well, Pastor George joined the community in pumping and collecting water from Afkarma.
Coffee Ceremony at Afkarma
Our beloved coffee ceremony is never far away…..a great way to keep our energy up!
Construction of Adi Egam
Our next stop was Adi Egam, honoring Pastor Norb Firnhaber. It was at the earliest stage, with the work crew still working to line the well with stone and masonry.
The Plaque Honoring Pastor Norb
The plaque shown above will be affixed to the well head of Adi Egam upon completion. Pastor Steve conducted the dedication and blessing of the well.
Construction of Hartafa
Our next stop on our walking journey was Hartafa, honoring Pastor Steve Troisi. A bit further along in the construction, all of the below ground work had been completed and the above ground preparatory cement work had been finished as well.
Pastor Steve and Weredekal celebrating Dedication of Hartafa
Pastor Steve shared prayers and the blessing of the well with the workers and community members.
Construction of Netsa
As you can see from the picture above, Netsa, honoring Bishop Ray Tiemann, is almost complete. The inside cement work had just been completed, awaiting the placement of the pump head. The beautiful protective stone wall surrounding the project was almost finished.
Bishop Ray with the Plaque for Netsa
Bishop Ray shared prayers and the blessing of the well with the workers and community members….as well as a nice collection of cattle and sheep who also were present!
Pastor Dan collecting water at Denba Kiremti
Our final stop for the day was Denba Kiremti, honoring Pastor Dan Kolander. Before the prayers and blessing of the well, Pastor Dan shared a special message for the members of Triumphant Love, which we will share with the congregation upon our return. Pastor Dan then joined the community in pumping and collecting water from Denba Kremti.
The community members of Denba Kiremti with our travel group
The community members joined in our group photo at Denba Kiremti. Of course, the children love to have their picture taken and then see it on the camera display!
We were a bunch of tired travelers when we returned to Gheratla Lodge to enjoy a delicious St. George’s cold one! But it was an exhilarating and motivating day to see projects of the Wells of Love campaign come to life and to share in the hospitality and thankfulness of communities benefiting from God’s great blessing of clean water.
– Dick
* You can now also view each blog post on our new travel site located here.
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