Then we started drilling at the second well. We all got to sample some fresh coconut, and the people who live around the well made us a really nice lunch.
We found water not long after noon. We ran into some rock that slowed us down, so we were not able to pour the cement base before the day was finished. But we did finish blowing out the well (developing it). This is the process where we blow air down the well after we’ve added the PVC pipe to clean it out. It usually takes a couple of hours, but it can take much longer. It’s also a great time to let everyone play in the nice clean water!
Tomorrow morning, we’ll pour the cement for the second well, then lower the pump into the first well and finish it up before heading back to well 2 to finish up. If all goes as we hope, we will be having the well dedication ceremony at 4pm tomorrow afternoon.
Yesterday we were able to visit the well site and meet many of the people who live near by. We were happy to see so many children in the area. We were all eager to get going first thing in this morning. However, today has been a tough mix of joy, disappointment, and hope. We started drilling at our planned site and everything seemed to be progressing quite well.
We were making quick progress dropping 5 feet every 10 to 15 minutes. We saw some mud and a little water at around 20 feet but this is about the level of the hand dug wells and the water is still contaminated. However, we were not seeing any clean water and all the signs were pointing to another dry well. They had previously drilled 3 dry wells in the same area. So, just before noon the LWI team leader decided to abandon the site. It was a very tough decision. We loaded up all the equipment, ate lunch and headed to another site. It was really hard to leave. The people were sad and some of the children were even crying. They told us that LWI will still take care of those people. They may come in with a larger drilling rig that can go much deeper, or they may provide sand filters for each home to use.
The new site was on a main highway where two communities will be able to benefit from the well. But we are more limited on space and we do not have as much room to play with the kids.
Part of the team went to get the rest of the equipment from the first site, and by the time they got back we were getting into some water at around 40 feet. We had a problem with the top of the hole caving in and needed another piece of equipment that we didn’t have to prevent it from getting worse. It was nearly sun down, so we packed up and left for the day. Tomorrow we should be able to drill down another 15 feet or so and then start assembling the pipes for the well.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to go to El Salvador with a team from Mosaic. Our hope was to help a community of people who are drinking dirty, contaminated water. We were able to work at a school, meet lots of children and teachers, and dig a 100 foot water well that will produce clean, safe water for many years to come.
Here’s short video about that trip:
This weekend we’re going back. But this time Shannon and I are both on the team. I’m really excited that we will be together on this trip. We have a lot of work to do this week to finish getting ready. I will be taking my laptop, and there is a chance we will have some limited internet access while we’re there. You can check back here for updates throughout the week or at the following blog set up by one of our other team members. http://teamlivingwater08.blogspot.com/
I know it’s Sunday, not Friday, but I couldn’t think of anything funny on Friday. So here’s a story from tonight:
To set the scene: Tiger was sitting at the table drinking sweet tea and eating his dinner. (In a regular chair, not the higher red chairs they sometimes sit it.) All of a sudden we see him fall out of his chair, somehow managing to pull the chair on top of him, landing on his crotch. (Poor guy!) After ensuring he is all right, this is what I hear:
George: Buddy, the only way you could fall out of your chair like that is if you weren’t sitting in it properly. (Either that or you’ve had WAY too much to drink.) Tiger: Hmmm…..I think maybe it’s because I’ve had WAY too much tea to drink.
Kat received a make-your-own-lip-gloss kit from a relative last weekend and today she asked me to help her open it.
Kat: Can you help me open this package? Mom: Sure, but it says this is only for kids 8 and up. You are only 7 and a half. Kat: Yeah, but I’m sure I can do it. It’s not like I’m 6 or anything.
Mom: I have a secret number. It’s bigger than 7 and smaller than 9. What is it? Tiger: 8! My turn. I have a secret number. It’s bigger than 1 and smaller than … (thinking)… a googol. What is it?
Despite practically infinite possibililities, I guessed the secret number on my second guess. It was 100.
(Note: This was published on Friday, but we had some technical difficulties. Hopefully you can see it now.)
Bear has been learning new words at a rapid pace recently. We were outside yesterday evening when she pointed to the sky and said “Moon.” Sure enough, the moon was visible. I don’t recall teaching her that word, but she could have picked it up a number of places: Sesame Street, Diego, a book, etc. But then there’s the other kind of words that she picks up on. The ones that I’m not so thrilled about her knowing.
Earlier in the week she was playing with her doll when one of the older kids said something to the other about a booger. Bear’s eyes lit up as she demonstrated to all of us that she knew what they were talking about. She put her finger IN her nose and repeated “Boo-er, boo-er.” Lovely. George and I exchange glances and then I return my gaze to the Bear, who is now putting the same finger INTO her doll’s mouth! Ughh!
Kat’s two front teeth have been loose for weeks. Maybe even months. Mealtimes have been taking extra long as she was avoiding using the front teeth for biting. FINALLY one decided to let loose at breakfast today. I love this photo of her and her new smile.
(By the way, she does not wish to be called ‘snaggle-tooth’. Very sweetly, through tears, she told both of us that she didn’t like that name and please not to call her that.)
