Pushing Back the Darkness…SOH Uganda Update #2… Clean Water

Waterborne diseases, common diarrhea, contaminated water supply and containers, missed school, missed work, wood too precious to boil drinking water, hours spent each day to obtain water, skipping tooth brushing, body cleaning, dish washing, and clothes washing due to scarce water.  The Stream of Hope Home and neighbors live this way every day…..that is until…

We had the pleasure of implementing a giant blessing to these precious people.  When we left to return to the US, chlorinated water under pressure was flowing to the orphanage and to the distribution site at the gate for the community.  The sun provides the power to automatically pump water to an elevated tank when needed.  It is a reliable system only requiring some sunny days which is not a big problem on the equator.

This is how it happened…All praise and Glory to God for His Provisions and Grace.

Drill rig on site in early July

Drill rig on site in early July

Hit a good water source at 150'.  Praising God!

Hit a good water source at 150′. Praising God!

Installed an AC/DC pump, 700W of solar panels and an automatic control system.  The wellhead is below the panels.

Installed an AC/DC pump, 700W of solar panels and an automatic control system. The wellhead is below the panels.

The instant that water was flowing (just out a hose) the community members filled containers for hours each day.

The instant that water was flowing (just out a hose) the community members filled containers for hours each day.

We designed and had a tank stand fabricated locally to hold a 5000 liter tank about 16' off the ground.  This was an event of Egyptian proportions.

We designed and had a tank stand fabricated locally to hold a 5000 liter tank about 16′ off the ground. This was an event of Egyptian proportions.

Eager plumbers helping Greg.

Eager plumbers helping Greg.

System working...God is good!

System working…God is good!

Chlorinator system.  Tank drain valve in upper right, provided the 1st shower after 2 weeks in Uganda.

Chlorinator system. Tank drain valve in upper right, provided the 1st shower after 2 weeks in Uganda.

View from the tank toward the home.  Boys dorm under construction on the left.

View from the tank toward the home. Boys dorm under construction on the left.

Fresh pure water piped to the home.

Fresh pure water piped to the home.

View toward the community distribution site.

View toward the community distribution site.

Community getting water.  Site to be improved but providing clean pure drinking water.  The Community was excited and supportive.

Community getting water. Site to be improved but providing clean pure drinking water. The Community was excited and supportive.

Water is Life.  Clean for drinking and cooking, available for cleaning, on demand to allow life to proceed.

Water is Life. Clean for drinking and cooking, available for cleaning, on demand to allow life to proceed.

 

Trip #3 for 2014 Completed….Pushing back the darkness! Update #1…Lights

Scott Agnew, Gene Coleman, Jon Zavodny, Greg Perkins, and I  completed the last of  a 3 part mission to the SOH Home, Uganda.

One of the Directors of the Stream of Hope Home described our work as “Pushing back the darkness”. He was referring to the 700w of Solar Panels, 400 amp-hrs. of batteries, and LED lights in all the rooms, kitchen, and church.  However, I see that statement as much more metaphorical and general.  I know that God is working through us to improve health, give hope, and show the light of Christ Jesus and it is making a huge difference, brightening the futures for these kids and community.

We returned last Thursday from nearly 2 weeks at the SOH orphanage and we completed several important projects. We did not have internet available and I could not send updates so I will do so, one key project at a time over the next few weeks. Praise God with us!

Lights in the Kitchen shelter = happy cook

Lights in the Kitchen shelter = happy cook

Lights in the church shelter.  Greg giving goodies from our church Sunday School Class and messages of Christ's light in the world.

Lights in the church shelter. Greg giving goodies from our church Sunday School Class and messages of Christ’s light in the world.

700 watts of solar panels....

700 watts of solar panels….

....that the boys helped install.

….that the boys helped install.

Batteries and power distribution center.  Tool, phone, and computer charging.

Batteries and power distribution center. Tool, phone, and computer charging.

Yeah...they were that excited!

Yeah…they were that excited!

The SOH Girls have a new home!!!!

Can you imagine finally moving to a place that you can call home for the 1st time. This place is secure for them and owned by the ministry. The 20 girls at SOH Home are very excited.  So far we have built a latrine and finished the house but just watch what God does over the next few years on these 3 acres!!!

Stream of Hope Home.

Stream of Hope Home.

Picture 208

All moved in. New floors and windows.

Temporary kitchen and sun shade shelter.

Temporary kitchen and sun shade shelter.

Pastor Paul says "The latrine (and bath house) is the best around the whole community ,i bet even in the whole sub-county"

Pastor Paul says “The latrine (and bath house) is the best around the whole community, I bet even in the whole sub-county”

The girls playing.

The girls playing.

Video highlighting the Stream of Hope Home story

This is a nice little video showing the People, Place, and Purpose of the Stream of Hope Home.  Mission Servants Ministry is blessed to sponsor and participate in the loving work to raise up the 46 children there.  They are doing very well and improved so much in the year we have known them.  2014 will be an exciting year at the home with our land purchase and new construction.  Follow what happens…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-VD2IYDTy4&feature=youtu.be

SOH Project #1…Girls Latrine and Washhouse

The land purchase was finalized a little over a week ago and we are rapidly progressing to be able to move the 26 girls to the site.  This will cut out over 4 miles of walking each day and be a huge blessing especially for the girls that have illnesses.

The 1st project to complete before the move is possible is a latrine.  We are constructing a 5 door building with 3 latrines and 2 wash rooms.

The happy looks on their faces tell the whole story.

The happy looks on their faces tell the whole story.

 

Starting the pit.  Supplies are on site.

Starting the pit. Supplies are on site.

 

Follow our progress as we build this new home for 46 children and praise God.  missionservants.org