La Adventura

Today was one of the best days I have had in a long time. It was filled with friends, work, and fun, mostly all combined. Over the past few days I have absolutely loved getting close to my other team members and leaders. All of the work we do is transformed into fun because of the people you’re doing it with and that especially stuck out to me today.

This morning the engineering team met with all of the men from the community of Setzimaaj and we exchanged our thanks for each other’s presence for the project. The men went to work clearing about 5ft wide section up about 40ft on the side of the mountain as well as digging trenches 80cm deep. I worked with some other engineers to take inventory of our supplies and to start constructing spigots out of the materials. After doing this for a while I got bored and ventured over to where the real excitement was happening. Over on the mountainside the metal pipes were being put together. At first I was just observing how well this pipe was scaling the mountain, but eventually I joined in on the efforts and we, after having to pick axe through concrete, successfully placed the pipe.

After lunch I started to organize PVC with Jericho and Alex, which was one of my favorite parts of the day. We carried the pipe and set it all along the trenches (which doesn’t really sound fun when I type it out, but it really was). This was one of the points when I realized how fun the project was because of the people I was with.

Soon after this I learned how to glue PVC pipe together, which was my other favorite part of the day. We went along the pipes gluing them together which made me so excited because this was when the project started to become real. I realized what I was working with would be supplying water to an entire village. Another important part about our trip is that we’re not just coming into this village, building an entire water system, and leaving hoping that it survives. Part of what we’re doing is including the community in the project and helping them understand how to repair the system if need be for the future. I’ve really appreciated this aspect of the trip because it’s encouraging to know this project will sustain and truly make a lasting impact in the community. It’s also equipping the community with knowledge and indirectly an economic boost as well.

Shortly after our group finished gluing, I went with Kevin, Bibiana, Taylor and Roberto from Adicay into Semanu (the closest town) to get supplies from the hardware store. The ride to town was about 40 minutes and was very bumpy! The views of the surrounding mountains and great conversation passed the time quickly though. When we arrived to town their large Saturday market was still going on and the town square was busy with vendors. The hardware store was a fun adventure. We needed 200 individual pieces of a part as well as other PVC connectors and they had to count them out individually. We came in with a very specific list of supplies necessary that are somewhat uncommon. The workers there probably thought it was a fun adventure as well. After leaving from the hardware store we needed to find a gas station before the journey back to the village. The gas station we found was in a very obscure location up a hill and through a village but we made it.

When we arrived with all of our supplies back at the village it was dark and dinner was about to start. Tonight we ate rice, tortillas, red sauce with chicken, and fresh watermelon, pineapple and papaya for dinner. Shortly after the meal we had a devotional and a mini concert with both the engineering and medical teams.

I’m really excited to continue the friendships that are developing on the engineering team as well as continuing to meet people from the medical team.

Going into this trip I was drained in all sections of life. Emotionally the past month has been a total whirlwind. Academically this semester is the most challenging I have ever had. My sleep schedule is virtually nonexistent and that makes the other section’s struggles amplified. Spiritually I was empty and craving to be filled. Needless to say I was desperate for this trip to finally arrive.

The Spirit is alive and so at work in the hands and hearts of this team and community. Even through the extreme heat, sweat and uncomfort that the days hold, each person is eager and hungry to help and rejoicing for how God is working. I have learned so much technically as an engineer and even more about being a follower of Christ in the past few days from the people alongside of me. I am so excited to see how the Spirit continues to work in and through each of us as we assist this community in their endeavors.