Friends,
Some people might wonder about the wisdom of a project that is completely led by locals. Can they handle the money responsibly? Will they use the equipment for their own benefit? Will they be able to come up with and execute a strategy that works long term?
We have not been able to leave the compound here for two days due to an uprising by some 2,000 disabled veterans. They have blocked the roads and disrupted more than just our plans. In some nearby cities they have turned violent. In the last several weeks the LRA have created havoc and killed villagers near where are rigs were operating.
Yet life goes on here. If I close my eyes, it could be a hot summer day in at any community pool in America. The temperature hovers around 100 but children are playing and women are washing clothes in the river, three goats are bleating behind our small room. They will become involuntary participants in our celebration tomorrow night for the police training that has gone on this week and for the 30 wells completed so far.
Oh did I mention that in the midst of these “difficulties” the two drilling crews moved out on Tuesday, struck water on Wednesday and completed two more wells on Thursday?
Some might have questions like the ones above but, I would counter we should have those questions of all organizations and strategies no matter the country or the people.
This group, this team, this compassionate and focused group of men and women are executing the plan, lowering the cost, providing first class detailed reports of soil content, depth, GPS locations, and most important stories of new hope because something as simple as water now flows from a simple hand pump.
PAUSE (4 Hours)
All is calm, the President brought funds to pay the veterans and we were able to go out and see the two wells come in. The laughter, the excitement cannot be described better than the very old lady living in a 6 foot by 6 foot home with her niece. All of her children died in the war but here she stood singing from her hymnal.
Hope in her voice.
20 wells in the last two months……we are pumping along now!
Thank you for your support! In this country at this time , it really matters.
Sincerely,
Steve Roese
