Friday morning we worked along with Seeds of Hope. Our team helped the women (who normally make the filters by themselves) make about 15 filters.
This is part of the building process: butter the frame (to avoid the filter from sticking to the frame), mix cement, pack the cement in the frame, insert the pipe (where the clean water will come out), and form and smooth the bottom of the filter.
The women would teach us the process through demonstration, and they were great teachers too! Many of the women live in a nearby community and have bio-sand filters in their own homes. Our team really enjoyed visiting with the women and learning about their family, as we got a little dirty making the filters. But despite all the hard work, we did have a little fun since one of the women, Stella, showed us a dance move to help hammer on the filter so the concrete would settle. Needless to say, Stella had better rhythm than I (Michelle) did.
We were given a tour of their facility, and they showed us how they clean the rocks and sand for the filters.
Rich and Jon were able to present two representatives, Linda and Samson, from Seeds of Hope with a fake check from Jon’s daughter’s (Kaitlyn) school.
“I was so proud to present the check from Airline Park Academy to Seeds of Hope today. I told them the story of Kaitlyn’s essay and how her teacher said that they wanted to support us in our trip to Zambia, how Rich and I went to the school to give a presentation and how the school responded by raising $1350, enough to provide 15 filters to families in need of clean water. They were so appreciative. As you’ll read below, we had the chance to visit some homes where filters have been installed and witness firsthand how important and how big of an impact they have on the lives of people. Words just can’t express how grateful I am to Ms. Sara, Mr. Matrenga, and everyone else at Airline Park (faculty, students, and parents). And I am especially proud of Kaitlyn! I love you baby!”
Next, we were able to go into a community and visit a few of the homes that contained bio-sand filters. Most of these homes had a filter installed about a month and half ago. We were able to speak to the people inside of the homes, and we learned that the people are using the clean water to drink, cook, and wash. It was very encouraging to hear the people say that they once were sick from drinking contaminated water and now are no longer sick. We also had an opportunity to pray for healing for a grandmother in her home and a little boy with an ear problem.
Even though our main purpose was to see homes that had filters, I can’t help but blog about the children. The children here in Zambia have really captured my (Michelle) heart. As our team moved from one house to the next, we probably had about 20-30 children join us for our journey walking from house to house. Our team does a really good job at trying to give each child individual attention through a hand shake or a hello. I love making eye contact with a child and smiling at them. I receive the most beautiful bright smile back. Another thing that I’m learning on this trip is that something as simple as sharing a smile is sharing the love of Christ. Sometimes I can get so wrapped up in thinking that only big projects or events bring heaven to earth, that I forget that God can use someone like me to bring heaven to earth with just a smile. Have you been smiling lately? If not, give it a try. You never know what response you may get back!
p.s. Mitchell, you’re fired!
Upcoming preview: This evening we will be having dinner at Pastor Damas’s house and Robb will be doing a teaching.
No comments:
Post a Comment