Some of the missionaries who work among this people group
One of the missionaries’ homes located in the village where I stayed
Bethany, Matthew, and I flying to Midland Texas
The children loved playing around the tank and splashing in the water
The top tank, was filled to the top with 150 gallons of spring water in just 2 1/2 hours by the solar powered pump!
The spring. The water was very cloudy after the rain that had been recently received.
The entire length of the tubing was buried.
More trips in and out of the ravine.
They were in charge of locating the tank and building the stand for it.
With so much help, the project went very quickly
One the third day, the sun finally came out of the fog, and we were able to get power to the pump and see the system working!
One the far right is the spring collection tank which also contains the pump, on the right is the solar panel that powers it. The collection tank fills automatically from the spring, (directly behind the photoprapher in this picture) and when there is sunlight, water is pumped from the collection tank, up to the top tank at the village (1,600 ft linear distance, 160 ft vertical lift)
We had a few electrical connections to solder, so we used a DC soldering pencil powered by a truck battery.
The men here use hand woven and beautifully embroidered bags as all-purpose totes for everything from tools, seeds, radios, and lunch. They also wear hand-made woven leather sandals.
Free ride to the top!
Inspecting the collection tank
This is where they wash their clothes at the creek fed by the spring. The overflow hose from the collection tank will also run down to this area to provide them with additional water here as well.
The top tank was located on the top of the ridge between two groups of houses were several families live and work.
We built a chainlink fence around the solar panel to keep animals out.
The people provided chainsaw-cut posts to mount the solar panel on.
The entire system runs on solar power.
Everyone pitched in. They also identified trees that they expected to fall within the next year or so and preemptively cut them down, so that they would not damage the system.
Several of the missionaries who work with this people group.
The spring line inlet. It was also buried in clean gravel to serve as a simple screen filter.
A lot of the local children came down to help and watch as well.
Almost 1,600 ft of PEX tubing was used to reach from the top tank at the village, down to the collection tank at the spring.
The people built this ingenious bridge to cross a deep ravine. They knew just how high to place it to avoid flood waters.
We worked alongside the people and instructed them in how to use the various tools, and they instructed us in how to best traverse the terrain
Another shot of the bridge.
The kids enjoyed helping.
There was a lot of work to do, but it was great being there and getting to know everyone
Some of the people who live in this area
The power and water lines between tanks were all buried to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun and burro hooves
This is where the lower collection tank was placed, it is filled by a line going to the spring
Many trips were made down into the valley.
The mountains were covered in a thick cloud layer most of the days Cameron was there
The work crew.
Pray for all of us to stick close to God!
Pig feet were used to practice suturing, as we learned how to maintain as much of a sterile environment as possible, even outdoors.
We had limited electricity and were challenged to limit our water use.
tortillas
…
We even made a Paraguayan meal…
…
We still had classed during out camping trip…
…suturing…
…
We started by gather our group to hike out together
We had to use our map/compass/gps skills learned in class to find our hidden tarps on the way to the camp site
Over the mountains…
…and through the woods, to the campsite we go…
Many lessons learned from previous classes had to be put to use, like team work.
We had another hike, with several obstacles, as we ried to find our supper!
fire building…
and even chicken butchering.
how to safely use a chainsaw…
Part of our practical skills classes included a 3 night camping trip….
…D
Part of our Practical Skills classes included a 4 day camping trip.
…even chicken butchering.
The kids said their favorite part of simple living was the candles (we had limited electricity during this time).
We learned about chainsaw maintenence…
…motorcycle maintenence….
The men were required to cook from scratch as well
We made bread….
Part of it included only cooking from scratch.
WE had to build shelters from tarps…
We still had classes during the camp out, like generator troubleshooting…
Some electrical work had to be done to get our water pump working…
…
Part of our practical skills training included a 3 night camp out…
WE learned about fire building…
And of course eating is always included.
We had a super fun youth group camp out with the kids from church.
The next morning Andy shared more about God, using the God’s creation all around us to illustrate.
Next on the agenda was the survival challenge!
Successfully finish the obstacle course (some people even had to complete it while carrying bundles of fire wood, which they would need for the next challenge).
The final challenge was to see who could build a fire first….
We are excited about the path ahead
Cameron was able to fly our plan up here to Missouri, where it ‘ll be closer for him to do some work on it before selling it.
Despite how chilly it was, we even fit some swimming in.
The girls won. š
Ministry Partnership Development class.
Learning to suture on a pig foot and desperatly hoping I never have to do this on a person!!
West Africa night! Not only did we get to eat some delicious W. African food, but we heard stories of 2 groups of people from West africa, one that has the gospel and is growing, one that still hasn’t heard.
Camping out during spring break. Fun family time!
Gracia loved the on-campus pre-school she attended while we were in our classes.
Having a French picnic to teach us how to learn culture.
Camping trip with the youth from our church
Even Gracia got to participate some!
Having a blast with the youth from church!
Cameron giving me a shot for Field Health class.
Katy learning to solder.
Cameron teaching on Jesus and Nicodemus for Foundational Bible Teaching Class
