Life as it is

We have all seen the World Vision commercials on T.V. showing the poorest of the poor and images of crying children in despair. In my time in Africa so far I have not witnessed the stereotypical children that they have portrayed to audiences. A few days ago a part time worker at the compound named Veronica allowed us to see into her family's life. She was left by her husband with four children ages 16, 13, 10 and 1 &1/2 whom she lives with in her mud brick house. Within this house there is a single bed in which they all share, there food is kept in the same room so that it does not get stolen. Each day Veronica walks one hour to work and back and than she picks up her bucket from home and walks half an hour to fetch murky water from a hole in the ground. Some days she makes this trip twice, each time asking for aid to lift the bucket onto her head as one of her hands doesn't work properly. Although she is struggling and is on a list to receive a monthly ten pound bag of corn flour and doesn't have two fully functional hands, she raises her four children and she is happy. She is happy for what she does have, even if to use it seems like little to nothing. I see our daily waste, like a lid bringing joy to a small child he uses it as a toy he can run around with, the plastic bags we use everyday that you throw out constantly being used as a soccer ball bringing hours of fun to the many children living here. Even though they doo not have games systems or fancy toys they are happy because they have each other and value even the simplest things life has to offer us.

A visit to the brothers of charity

Yesterday we went to the compound of the brothers of charity. We brought them some clothing and five 100pound sacks of rice. The Brothers of Charity care for mentally and physically disabled men and boys. These people have been abandoned due to their disabilities. The brothers care for them as best as is possible. I was reminded of Faith and Light back home. When we arrived our group was a little shy but one man, his name is Joseph grabbed and held my hand as we toured the compound. When we arrived at their dormitories we saw many disabled people. After handing out some candy we were treated to many songs including Frere Jaques. It was incredibly sad to see so many suffering, and knowing that there are others without the comfort of the brothers of charity.

Today we returned to the village to paint the cisterns. After we finished Jamie and I played soccer with the kids. I suspect that a few of the children were playing hooky. I taught a group to play hop-scotch and to count to ten in English. Playing with the kids is one of the most rewarding parts of the trip. Found a scorpion today. And I carried a hedgehog, he was much friendlier and gregarious than Hobbes. Bishop arrives in Dar tomorrow and will arrive at the compound Saturday. We pray for his safe travels.

I am starting to hear the odd longing for ice cream from the group; but the food I miss the most is hot wings. Call me crazy!

Roxanne's thoughts

Our daily drive out to the village of Chihoni, Nala has been one of my highlights. We sit in the back of what looks like an army truck, so we have a clear view of our surroundings. The African life is SO different than ours in many many ways. In the capital city of Dodoma, people set up small spaces where they sell anything they can; bananas, nuts, sandals, sweet potatoes, clothes, sugar cane, lentils, etc. We also see several motorcycle repair shops. (I have never seen so many bikes in my life!)
Sometimes we feel like we are in a parade, as many people wave at us, especially the crowds of small children.
It is truly amazing how the children will find anything to use as a toy; a plastic bottle, a tire tube, a cap from a spray can, etc. When you see this, you realize how spoiled and materialistic many of us have become at home. When I look in their eyes though, I see something I do not often see at home. These kids spend the majority of their time together, and they are really happy. They play together, and create games together, and I wonder sometimes whose children really have it better!??!!
As we leave the city and head out to the country, I notice things are a bit different. The busyness decreases. I see some families who can afford it, with concrete brick houses and metal roof tops. Most in our village have traditional mud houses. From what I can see, most of their time is spent hauling water, laundry, cooking, tending to children, and the few cows or goats they may have.
It is insanely dry here, so there is a cloud of dust wherever you go. Tanzania gets 4 months of rain and 8 months where it is completely dry. Not much grows here right now, but the rains will come in December.
When we get to the village, many of the women are very willing to help us mix and carry cement. Father Tim says when they work alongside us they take much more ownership of the well project, and take pride in it. So we have been encouraged to let them work as much as they want so it is seen as more their  project than ours. Today we finished up the holding tanks and cleaned up the worksite for the Bishop's visit on Sunday. More about this later! Until next time, Roxanne

Deanna's message

The water coming out of the ground last week, establishing that the windmill worked was cool. The villagers rushed with their buckets to collect it and stayed up all night, not wasting a drop. This was not the true miracle or pinnacle, that occurred before we got here.
  Another village was designated to us who were desperate for water. They had three dry holes drilled. The mission was forced to pass by them and try at Nala. The first three holes drilled in Nala were also dry. It was this hole, the fourth that finally struck water. I would have loved to be there at that moment. The rest now is just work and we are just finishing up painting the holding tanks and filling in a trench. I cannot help but feel remorse for the village that had to be passed over.

The Village Of Hope - Morning visit

This morning we visited The Village Of Hope, this place is incredible! It started as a place for children with aids to die in loving arms and now its been blessed with the medicine that treats aids and runs as an orphanage, school both primary and secondary and a place were babies can be born without aids.

Quiet weekend

It's been a quiet weekend. We head back out to the well to finish it up tomorrow. On Saturday we went to the market in Dodoma and some of the girls bought kangas. The Kamloops group arrived and Bro arrived from Dar yesterday. Today was an admin day for fr Tim so we didn't go to the well but delivered some cornmeal to those in need; seniors without a family. Oh yeah, Vanessa, Danica and Katelynne made a cake... And it was excellent! It's late here. Blog more soon.

Bringing water to Chihoni, Nala! - written by the Team

The day began with finishing our first trench, digging the second, which led to the making and molding of the second holding tank. We had our usual lunch of rice and beans. We waited in anticipation as the pipes were connected and placed into the well. When the last pipe was connected, we all ran to the well to experience the moment. As the water was pumped to the surface, we all were impacted in our way;

  - As Fr. Tim let the water flow out of the pipe, and the windmill blades were turning in the wind, the villagers immediately started filling their buckets with the well water. A smile spread across Danica's face because she saw  the joy in the people's faces and she knew that she was making a difference in their lives.

  - Katelyne was filled with emotions. As she watched the villagers witness the water come out she was overwhelmed. Their excitement and joy was heartwarming. As tears streamed down people's faces she knew it was worth it.

  - Kayla was happy we got water today. She has enjoyed working with the villagers. It was  nice to see them getting this water. She feels grateful to be a part of this.

  - Nina missed the first burst of water, but she ran along side the villagers to see the second one. As it was coming out she watched the people's happy faces and was filled with an indescribable feeling of joy. 

  - Celine's experience was also a little different as she did not see the first water release. The moment which captured her heart was sharing the pure joy of accomplishment with one of the villagers. She stood watching joy spread across the crowds, as most have not seen this much water in many months.

 - Vanessa couldn't stop smiling because the water was finally coming. When she heard the water was coming she ran and was front and center to see what we worked for. As the first pump of water came out  her eyes started to fill with tears of joy. She found herself jumping around and spraying the people with water. Vanessa knew that this moment wasn't going to be her last, because she repeatly told us how much she loved Tanzania and CPPS water projects.

  - Roxanne stepped back to look at the fins of the windmill, as it spun around. When she looked up, she honestly felt something she never felt before. The setting sun was right behind the windmill. It was so beautiful. She took a step back to capture the experience in its entirety. As tears came to her eyes, she looked over her shoulder and saw Vanessa. They celebrated with a hug and a little happy dance. She knew she was experiencing something very special. 

 - Matthew felt that he witnessed a miracle; water in the desert. He felt like the group partially fulfilled the gospel, by giving water to those who have none. Watching the villagers fill their buckets with the well water gave him that sense of fulfillment. 

 -  For Deanna, the water coming out of the ground establishing that the windmill worked was cool. She did not realize at that moment that the villagers had every intention of staying throughout the night to collect every drop of water they could. 

 -  For Jamie, it felt like something had been accomplished. At the first meeting in PA, the culmination of our efforts seemed so small and insignificant, distant even. Here though, our small sacrifices and near endless preparation had come to a conceivable end. To her though, it didn't feel like the denouement, only a rising action to a climax yet to come. 

By: The 2014 Tanzania Mission Team!

                            Thank you to all those who helped make this possible! 

                              The first bucket to be filled with the water!

The villagers smiling faces.

             

                                   

                                             The amazing CPPS windmill team!

The fins of our windmill, painted with love!