Water is Life

World Water Day occurred a little over a month ago, March 22, 2015.   I am not sure about you, but I often forget about water.  I don’t forget to drink it on a daily basis, I instead forget about its importance.  I forget how precious it is.  So many things are connected to this resource – health, growth, development, survival.  When I arrived on the field the week of March 21, water decided to remind me of its importance.

At the beginning of the week, I experienced life without water.  Due to some community construction, our field home did not have water for about a week.  Thankfully, I brought drinking water with me from the city, but no access to water = no showers, no flushing the toilet, no boiling water for tea (I must admit I did not receive many hugs that week).   There were days when we traveled uphill to the other field house with buckets to carry water back to our living quarters.  This small inconvenience is nothing to what other people experience on a daily basis.  While I trudged uphill, I remembered Samaritan’s Purse tweets from different offices during World Water Day: teams fixing hand pumps, children learning about water, and the post “On average, women in developing countries spend 25% of their day collecting water for their families.” There are women spending ¼ of their day collecting water.  And here I was huffing and puffing at the slight inconvenience of less than an hour’s work. 

"It was a way for me to serve, but it all happened because of God."

In the middle of the week, I witnessed life blooming because of water.  I jumped on the back of a motorcycle and travelled down mountain curves with Samaritan’s Purse Bolivia’s agricultural and livestock team.   After about 45 minutes, we reached a small mountain community of 10 farmers near the town of Chuma.  We hiked further down the mountain to reach an adobe house of one of the farmer beneficiaries.  We all gathered in a circle around our agricultural team member Freddy as he summarized the irrigation system he helped implement.  Freddy, or construction guru as I call him, presented the final part of his project to the farmers.  The irrigation project has been going on for the past 6 months and will provide water for a community of 10 different farmers.  Using the water from a nearby waterfall, he and the farmers were able to create an irrigation system that will run to each farm.  This access to water will enable crops to grow.

"Thank you brother Freddy.  Thank you Samaritan's Purse."

After hearing the success of the irrigation system, I trekked around the property to see the fruit of the labor.  We climbed the side of the mountain and found land full of papaya, avocado, lemons, and other scrumptious fruit.  As I walked across the farmland, I saw growth.  And water helped make that happen. 

"Now, our crops will grow."

I thank God for the work Samaritan’s Purse is doing with this resource. We often forget that there are some who do not have access to water.   Water provides life.  And I hope that now whenever I use it I will remember the life it brings and the way it points to the ultimate giver of everlasting life. 

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” 

John 4:14

Device with Words

I pull my rain jacket hood tight as I walk through the mud to Las Asemblas de Dios, a small church in the mountains of Chuma.   But even the gloomy weather cannot put a damper on tonight.  Tonight is a night of celebration.  Samaritan’s Purse Bolivia is partnering with Las Asemblas de Dios in order to establish a Christian radio station in the town.  RADIO PESCADOR 97.1 FM will be controlled by Pastor Jose Luis who works with Samaritan’s Purse.  

I walk into the small, but cozy church building.  The evening begins with worship and praise,  

“The radio will be a powerful tool.  We need to thank God for it.”

The words almost throw themselves at my face and cause me to question, “Am I a grateful individual? How often do I actually thank God for things in my life: tools, people, events,etc?” Before my thoughts become bogged down by my selfishness, my mind returns to the service.  Various pastors speak in front of a congregation describing their hopes to reach over 31,000 listeners.   They pray for wisdom.  

“We have a device to give these people more than words – we have the chance to give them words of LIFE.”

As the service ends, Pastor Jose Luis invites us to see the radio.  We climb up the hills of grass and mud to reach the home where the radio is stationed.  My deep breathing is a clear indicator that the 15 minute hike is no walk in the park, but the trek does not hinder this congregation.  As I try to catch my breath, anxious church members scurry into a room to see the transmitter.  

Long trek uphill. 

From afar, I can see teenagers giggle and beg family members to take photos.  Children’s eyes light up as they look at the red lights on the alien looking machine.  We filter up the stairs  into the area where Jose Luis’ voice should echo.  But before my ears hear his words, rain drops showers on my head.  I immediately look around and expect to see people racing towards their homes.  Buckets of water pour from clouds, but the congregation does not flee.  Instead, feet run to any forms of shelter - overhangs, random door spaces- all around the radio.  These people are still eager to listen.  

Everyone is excited about this radio.

Listening to the radio live.

Groups congregate around phones and the radio room to hear the slight echoes of the Pastor Jose Luis on 97.1 FM.  “We want to reach every corner of our village, so that our people will know Jesus.”  The faces of the congregation glow with excitement. I look at the radio and again see lights blinking on a piece of metal. But this time, I see it not as a machine working properly. I see it as a tool coming to life.

May we all learn to use the tools around us to impact our own cities. And may we remember to thank Him who has given us such tools.

-kc

“There will be fruit.  Much fruit.  And it all will be for God’s glory.” 

– Enrique

I managed to snag a photo with some of the ladies!

Fields of Faith

What does it look like to stand firm?  These past few days, I have traveled by motorcycle to different communities visiting some agricultural and ministry projects with Samaritan’s Purse Bolivia.  Some rides were 30 minutes, other rides were 1.5 hours.  My jello legs have no comprehension of the word firm.   

Eidel, a wonderful worker on our agriculture team is analyzing the corn crops of various beneficiaries this week.  “Keri, let’s go visit a friend!” Eidel yelled as he started up the motorcycle and I jumped on the back.  We rode down the beautiful mountain of green to visit Pastor Johnny Gomez.  As we walked towards his home, his chickens greeted us, or rather squawked at us, daring the foreign faces to rob them of the precious corn on the ground.  

Pastor Johnny, welcomed me with a smile, which can be hard to find in the timid faces of Chuma people.  His wife took my hand and thanked me for visiting.  “Can we see your corn?” I asked.  His wife gracefully led me down the steep hills to their plot of farmland. 

My eyes tried to take in all the mountain beauty as my head tried to calculate the time it must take to trek down to their corn field.  I watched as Pastor Johnny carefully stepped across the plots showing me his crops growing in the dark soil.  While I know little about corn, Eidel seemed to be satisfied with the growth and the appearance of the plants.  As Eidel explained challenges farmers face, I curiously watched Pastor Johnny as he walked across his land.  He seemed to be in a deep state of concentration as he walked among the colors of yellow and green.  Suddenly, he broke 3 pieces of corn off the stalks and laid them in my hands.  He looked into my eyes and said,

“For you.”

I was overwhelmed by the generosity and had no idea how to explain my gratitude.  I managed to whisper thank you before asking him more questions about his life in Chuma.  I learned about his life as a pastor, farmer, husband, father, and carpenter.  He laughed as his children played with the chickens and he told me about his church.  I asked him about his joys and challenges in the region.  He told me about the difficulties of of ministering to other communities.  Communities that can be between 2-3 hours away...and all by foot.  

“It’s not easy.  But God is faithful.”   

His words rang in my ears as we traveled to see his church.  I watched him care for his flock with a similar patience and intention that I saw earlier that day when he walked in his fields.  After the service, I spoke to another pastor who was eager to tell me more about Pastor Johnny.  “Keri, I wish I could explain all the work the Lord has done.  That man has great faithfulness.”  He told me stories of Johnny’s growth as an individual, his eagerness to participate in seminary classes with Samaritan's Purse, and his fortitude in all aspects of life.  “He once was a timid man.  He received training with Samaritan’s Purse, and he now preaches with authority in his church of 50 members.  He even ministers to other communities.” With every story, it became clear that Pastor Johnny is a light in the town of Chuma. 

A sweet smelling aroma interrupted the wonderful stories.  I turned and saw Pastor Johnny and his family bringing plates out of a back room.  They then served the food to every person within the church.  I later learned that Pastor Johnny and his wife collect the small amount of food grown from their land and share that food with their church every month.  As I smelled the sweet corn on my plate, I thought about the enormous generosity I had witnessed that day.

Pastor Johnny's life is not easy.  I have seen some of the challenges that lie in Chuma, and I am sure there is much more my eyes do not see.  However, in the midst of the challenges, there is a man who is standing firm in his faith.  My legs are often wobbly in life's difficulties, but I hope I will always be able to always cry out Johnny's words, 

“It’s not easy, but God is faithful.”

Bolivian Water Balloons

Whooooosh. 

“That one was inches from my face!” I scream as I duck behind a nearby car.  I run for my life.  Yes.  Running.  Dodging.  Hiding behind cars.  Why am I acting in this way?  Well, every year around this time in Bolivia, there is the celebration called Carnaval that occurs in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.  While many people in the States might ponder what they hope to give up for Lent, Bolvians ponder many ways to creatively soak people with water.  There are water gun drive-bys, catapults off of 6-story buildings, and 10 people with buckets hiding behind the nearest corner ready for their prey. 

This is not a costume.  It is protection for the Carnaval parade.

Being a “gringa” I am automatically a target in this madness. 

“Where do we go?  What’s the strategy?” I whisper to the other lone person hiding behind car metal.  I look to my left and see twenty people with buckets, balloons, and smirks.  Just as I begin to lose hope, a truck full of people/new targets drives around the street.  My diversion.  I thought my past experiences of Carnaval were intense.  They were nothing like this.  I sprint into a nearby restaurant completely out of breath – laughing, running from strangers, and battling the lack of oxygen in this city. 

Today, the remnants of thousands of water balloons cover the streets.  Throwing water at people or shooting foam all over someone’s face is no longer acceptable.  Today, instead of watching water balloons soar towards my person, I am listening to questions soar towards my ears.

 “You ready for the field tomorrow?” After being in Bolivia for about a month now, I will enter the field in less than 24 hours.  My friend asks, “Do you have a poncho, motorcycle helmet, and toilet paper?”

Sí, Sí, and definitely Sí.

Over the last month, I have translated office documents, worked with our IYCF (Infant and Young Child Feeding) Program within the Health Department, and brainstormed with our Communications Team.  My heart has been filled during devotions as our team (family) shares, worships, and prays.   I have listened to Children's Heart Project's beautiful testimonies about hearts that are physically and spiritually new.  I have managed to eat a spicy hot salteñas without crying.  I have started to navigate life in a big city even though I am directionally challenged.

Mother feeding her child after a Nutrition training program.

Daily, I am learning new things and answering new questions.

This afternoon's set of questions are all about Chuma.  “Are you nervous? Are you scared of rats?”  I chuckle and answer “Nervous? I’m excited I finally get to go to the field! And I laugh in the face of rats.  Last year, my roommates were these things called tarantulas and they were as big as my face.” 

But if I am truly honest, my emotions are exploding.  They are exploding almost as rapidly as those water balloons who liked to fly towards my face these last few days.  I am bubbling with a mix of nervousness and excitement.  I know there will be challenges, wonderful work, and lovely beauty.  I am ready to see what God is doing in the city of Chuma.  I am ready.  And this time, I don’t need hundreds water balloons.

-kc