Test Pumping Day!

As exciting as it was to experience the drilling of a new water well, test pumping day was even better.  One of the requirements of a new well is evaluate its productivity and viability.  That is accomplished by continuously pumping water out of the well for 24 hours.  They take measurements at different intervals to determine how much the water level is dropping.  The truck pictured below is the pumping truck. 

 The white truck is carrying a 10,000 liter water storage tank we purchaed for the village.

There were moments on this rugged road when it was questionable whether they would make it



They continually had to evaluate the road and to determine if the truck could make it. One or two times they had to put the truck in reverse and back up the hills. ( I guess their backing gear was stronger then their forward gear!)

They finally arrived and set up the truck and started pumping.  The villagers brought every conceivable container they could find.



This is absolutely one of my favorite pictures from the entire pumping experience.  This man has lived in this village all his life and has experienced the hardship of not having water.  The joy on his face was priceless!



The women were thrilled to have clean water flowing out of the ground.  Previously, they were able to fetch water in these 5 gallon yellow containers from a local stock pond, but only during the twice per year rainy season.  When the pond was empty, they had to walk over two large, steep hills to get to the nearest water source -- another pond shared by all the local animals and humans.  The water was always dirty.  After filling one of these containers, the women woulld tie them to their backs and walk back over those steep hills.  Each filled container was about 40 pounnds.  Often, they also had a baby to carry, so their efforts to get water just for cooking was strenuous.

These little ones were thrilled with a small stream to splash around in.

I couldn't resist putting my hands in the water.  I was quite surprised to find that it was so warm.  The well is 900 feet deep so I thought the water would be very cool coming out the ground.  This was was bath-water warm! 

This is Peninnah, one of my board members, and Pastor Matayo.  I noticed many of the small children didn't have shoes, so I went to the market and bought 30 pair of these little plastic/rubber shoes.  

I gave them to Pastor Matayo to distribute

This young mama is so excited about the water.  As you can see, she is carrying the 40 pounds of water on her back, and her baby strapped to her front.



I couldn't resist taking a picture of clean water in this cooking pot.  Prior to this all the pots were filled with muddy water.

The men were all excited about the water.  They kept talking about how much the water would improve their lives.

The animals were so happy, but seemed somewhat confused that there was now a stream that hadn't been there before.

The ladies went to get their dirty clothes and started washing them right away.

When the children got out of school, they couldn't get their shoes off fast enough!  They went to the stream and jumped in.

This man was either very optimistic or just found a pair of rubber boots in the used clothing market!

Activity around the borehole was non-stop for 24 hours.

These children surely had wrinkly skin before the day was over.  They never left the stream once they jumped in.

These children were so excited about the water.  The one in the stiped shirt, lathered up her hair and stuck her head right in.

I have uploaded this cake picture three times and it keeps rotating.  If anyone knows why it does this, please let me know.  We bought the cake to celebrate the water.  The words on the cake says "Water is Life" in Maasai



Here we are serving the children pieces of cake.

This little old Maasai woman made me a pair of traditiional sandals.  The soles were a thin layer of cow hide with beaded straps.  I personally have never seen any like them, but I'm told the ladies traiditonally went barefoot, but if they covered their feet at all, they would wear this type of sandals.  It was quite an honor.

She was very interested in having me be her friend. 

This is such a joyous scene with the children, women and goats all gathered around the water.  God is so good!