Well, our first day in the field is over. We had a great day starting out bouncing down the back roads of rural Ethiopia only to come to an almost impassable lake in the middle of the road, but not only did we conquer this miniature lake, but we did it with style as well. We met it head on and walked to the other side with half our group as the other half turned around and went to work on another site while the others stayed and watched the four wheel adventure of the ODA driver.
Each group went to work at separate well sites doing work that involved building fences with the local community, watching the locals eat a feast and just plain getting blisters as we steadily dug holes in the ground for a new fence to be placed around the well. We played with the local kids and Brian Ziarnick taught the town elders how to juggle. It was quite the adventure.

The locals were so excited to see us and work with us and we all just seemed to settle in and understand our purpose.
Then we met Aster, a young 12 year old girl with tattered dress and bare feet with a shy, yet giggly smile that just melted our hearts. We attempted to take the 50lb water jugs off of her 80lb little frame and carry them to her house, but before we could even reach her, her little bare feet had traversed the near 1/4 mile walk to her house. We went to meet her parents and talk with them and just get to know her and her family a little better and fought through the tears as the reality set in that this is her life. A mundane existence of going to fetch water, mend clothes, care for her father and mother and elderly Grandmother. We heard her story and I for one felt overwhelmed. Overwhelmed because not only had I seen her story before, but I would no doubt see it again. We will see it over and over and can only rest on the hope that we can at least help in the best way that we can. With a strong back, a weak mid strengthened by Christs love and a smile.

I pray that God will grant us the strength to continue this journey with eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to love.

 

Well, our first day in the field is over. We had a great day starting out bouncing down the back roads of rural Ethiopia only to come to an almost impassable lake in the middle of the road, but not only did we conquer this miniature lake, but we did it with style as well. We met it head on and walked to the other side with half our group as the other half turned around and went to work on another site while the others stayed and watched the four wheel adventure of the ODA driver.
Each group went to work at separate well sites doing work that involved building fences with the local community, watching the locals eat a feast and just plain getting blisters as we steadily dug holes in the ground for a new fence to be placed around the well. We played with the local kids and Brian Ziarnick taught the town elders how to juggle. It was quite the adventure.

The locals were so excited to see us and work with us and we all just seemed to settle in and understand our purpose.
Then we met Aster, a young 12 year old girl with tattered dress and bare feet with a shy, yet giggly smile that just melted our hearts. We attempted to take the 50lb water jugs off of her 80lb little frame and carry them to her house, but before we could even reach her, her little bare feet had traversed the near 1/4 mile walk to her house. We went to meet her parents and talk with them and just get to know her and her family a little better and fought through the tears as the reality set in that this is her life. A mundane existence of going to fetch water, mend clothes, care for her father and mother and elderly Grandmother. We heard her story and I for one felt overwhelmed. Overwhelmed because not only had I seen her story before, but I would no doubt see it again. We will see it over and over and can only rest on the hope that we can at least help in the best way that we can. With a strong back, a weak mid strengthened by Christs love and a smile.

I pray that God will grant us the strength to continue this journey with eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to love.