By Ed Scharlau

Today was like no other – first two great visits to Wartburg College Wells funded by Students, Alumni and Friends.  Second – we planned to visit two more however rain had other ideas and we were stuck in the mud and had a flat tire.  Certainly saw folks happy to help in any way possible. 
 
Both wells are inside of 30 days for completion.  At the first site they were ready to blast into the hardpan rock at a depth of about 50 feet.  Water had to be removed, holes jack drilled into the rock and explosive implanted into the drilled holes.  I saw all three.  A grateful community was present with food, coffee ceremony and sharing of wonderful words of appreciation.  
 
 
 
 
The second well is deeper into the rural area – 12 miles from the nearest road and a 1 and ½ mile after the four wheel drive.  The gratitude was overwhelming as they thought no one would come that far.  This well will serve about 500 families serving about 2,500.  There is a great need to have more wells.  The well is close to blast into the hard pan rock.  The community chairman was so very grateful and looking forward to water allowing much progress in their community.  Blessings and thanks to God was expressed so clearly.  I was so thankful to be in this place right now.   The young man just to the right of the right tripod is the community chair.  He knew what to say on the need and gratefulness.  
 
 
And on the return we became stuck in the mud and had the flat tire.  The children are washing the vehicle that was in front of us as it too was all muddy.    
 

By Ed Scharlau

Today was like no other – first two great visits to Wartburg College Wells funded by Students, Alumni and Friends.  Second – we planned to visit two more however rain had other ideas and we were stuck in the mud and had a flat tire.  Certainly saw folks happy to help in any way possible. 
 
Both wells are inside of 30 days for completion.  At the first site they were ready to blast into the hardpan rock at a depth of about 50 feet.  Water had to be removed, holes jack drilled into the rock and explosive implanted into the drilled holes.  I saw all three.  A grateful community was present with food, coffee ceremony and sharing of wonderful words of appreciation.  
 
 
 
 
The second well is deeper into the rural area – 12 miles from the nearest road and a 1 and ½ mile after the four wheel drive.  The gratitude was overwhelming as they thought no one would come that far.  This well will serve about 500 families serving about 2,500.  There is a great need to have more wells.  The well is close to blast into the hard pan rock.  The community chairman was so very grateful and looking forward to water allowing much progress in their community.  Blessings and thanks to God was expressed so clearly.  I was so thankful to be in this place right now.   The young man just to the right of the right tripod is the community chair.  He knew what to say on the need and gratefulness.  
 
 
And on the return we became stuck in the mud and had the flat tire.  The children are washing the vehicle that was in front of us as it too was all muddy.