Imagine thinking about and praying for and working hard towards something, having setbacks and roadblocks, and finally giving in that it just won’t happen under your control.  Then it breaks loose and not only happens, but happens way faster than you can even keep up, cheaper than you planned, and more perfect than you designed.  That is us and the new water well project.

We hit water today after only drilling a few hours.  We were prepared to drill to 100 meters deep but in 40 meters, the drillers went through 2 aquifers and then hit a solid layer of quartz.  They drilled on some yet but will stop and set the pump at about 37 meters.   The water flow is excellent and the driller estimated it at 6000 liters per hour which is way more than we could deal with.  He exclaimed that after 300 wells drilled in his career, this is the best one he has done.  He was really excited.

We will be laying pipe tomorrow to hook the well into the tank setting atop the 15′ tank stand which will be finished tomorrow.  By the end of the week, we hope to have all plumbing done and water to the community distribution site.  We will need to have it tested and a chlorinator installed first before distribution to the people in the area.  I spoke with the local church Sunday and they will assist with that and make sure that people know it for what it is, provisions from God and human effort showing the love of Jesus in a practical way.

I’ve had a great day.  Praise God!

Lots going on. Drilling, water flowing, tank stand in background being welded, trenches for piping.

My Buddy Nicole

Many new friends I met at Misanga Primary School. They now know how to high five and play Simon Says.

It is Tuesday night here in Kitale. We continue to enjoy our time here in the Lord’s Servants Home. Terri has been really connecting with a lot of the kids here during her time as the “teacher” for 25 preschoolers. They all want your attention, want to please and need as much love as one can give. Her biggest struggle has just been seeing so much need and feeling rather helpless. The spiritual and physical needs are tremendous. Terri also helps with the cooking each day. There is always a lot of chopping, peeling, cutting and dicing for dinner and supper. She has gotten to know the ladies that work in the kitchen and has made some quick friendships.

The highlight of the trip so far was when Terri and I were able to drive in to the hospital and visit the maternity ward where Dorothy (the caretaker) was having her first child. By the time we arrived, Dorothy had delivered the baby. We were in the waiting room hoping for a chance to see her. She had the baby a little after three and around five she walked out of the delivery area. We greeted her in the waiting area with her precious new daughter Stephanie. She was so tired and had to spend the night at the hospital so we visited, gave her a few small gifts and then left her there to spend time with her mother and other friends. The hospital is quite an experience but again there just isn’t time for that here. Mother and daughter are doing well and we thank the Lord for this wonderful gift.

I have started driving a little and am feeling fairly comfortable on the left side of the road while avoiding pedestrians by the thousands, bicycles and motorcycles by the hundreds, animals by the dozens, and various other challenges on the 25 minute drive into town. It is quite an experience and I’ll leave it at that……..

Tony and Terri