Rain From The Son

I'm sorry for the delay in posting, but it has been very frustrating here trying to connect to the internet in between activities and visitors. I have tried several times to upload pictures and/or videos of the adventures in Bukeeka, because we have a lot to share, but have been unable to do it successfully. I will keep trying. We decided as a group that we would post Paul's update that would explain better than I, since I wasn't there to experience it. It's hard to write about something from just here say, so this is what he had to say about it:

Today we heard heavy rain above us in Bukeeka, but we never got wet! We embraced success with the water project there. As Justin and Don said to the ladies this evening, "We finally got something to work right!"

There is water flowing from the stainless steel submersible pump into the 10,000 liter tank by means of solar energy. The Son has sent His power from His sun to the solar panels above the tank and they are demanding that the pump push water to the tank for the students of Fountain of Hope Junior School and the people of Bukeeka. And, there is joy tonight in a village that is filled with people who have never drunk water from a pipe!

After carefully lowering the pump into the well foot by foot, we tested the pump first to make sure that it would work before connecting the supply pipe to the tank. When that first bit of well water shot out of the flexible pipe I had to fight back some tears. This has been a three year old dream of mine and today it came true. Tonight there is joy in Jinja as well.

Yesterday the fabrication of the stand pipe was completed, the tower was painted, the plumbing was finished, and the wall was more than half way finished. Today the manual pump and pipe was carefully pulled from its casing and then the new pump was lowered into it. There were a few minor challenges along the way, but it was the most productive day all week.

The villagers still have to learn which way a tap turns to allow water to flow and which way to turn it off. That won't take long. We still have to put a security fence in place around the well with a small gate for protection of the equipment inside. We still have to get concrete poured around the tank and under the 8 taps on the border of the property. I will start working on those things next week. But, right now we are celebrating the success of this ambitious project.

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:16)

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. (1 Corinthians 12:22-26)

What I enjoyed the last two days on this water project in Bukeeka was seeing how the respect and love for each other increased among the men. We have a Muslim, Ali, who is building the brick wall and doing the concrete work. We have a young plumber, Dennis, who loves his job and the people around him. We have a welder, Patrick, who wants to be multi talented like Don. He
calls Don "Mundu Mmenye" ([pronounced mon-dew men-yeah), a term of endearment . We suppose that means "gun that is ready for anything regardless of what circumstances it faces." We have a school director and pastor, Robert, who knows this water project is a HUGE bridge builder. We have a driver, Richard, who runs the team everywhere who has more patience than anyone I know. We have several helpers and laborers who jump in and do whatever is needed. We had two guys the Lord sent along this morning with the necessary tools to pull the old pump. We have three white guys from Oklahoma, Robert, Justin, and Don, who have adapted to a culture that is challenging to work in.

We are all different. We have bits of knowledge, but it is limited and not really comprehensive. We have a part to play, but we could never do what we did without each other. We laughed together, we ate together, we developed strategy together, we served one another together, and we worked together. When men work together they share a common experience that can produce a harmony that is beautiful to listen to. Today I heard the pleasure of God in the sound of that falling water in the tank above my head. He provided the sun. He provided Africans and Americans. He gave us the joy of success and the pleasure of working together. It was a climactic symphony and I wouldn't trade it for anything.