I realized today that I don't always have to wait for something big or major to happen for me to update my blog, but instead I can just share with you my day or and special moments I had.
The crew worked non stop and worked harder than I've ever seen anybody work. I'm also inspired bless to see the commitment of these men I have the pleasure to work with. What's even more, even on the last of the seven wells, they were laughing and joking as much as they were on the first.
The first well they drilled was to be shared by a community and a new police station. In a place like Sudan, it is very nice to have the police on our side in case of times of trouble. The well was difficult, and water was not struck until 54 meters. This is unusually deep to get water and most drilling companies would have given up at around 45 meters. One of the police officers noticed this and told the crew, "You guys must of strong hearts, because anybody else would have gone home."
This week, I had given the crew the week off since they had worked so hard for the past two weeks. We are starting a construction project at our compound trying to expand so we can accommodate visitors as well as house people coming to start the new mobile clinic program the Radler Foundation is starting. For the past few days, we've been transporting local materials like stones, sand, bricks, and grass on dump trucks. These materials will be used to build two small grass roofed houses and a meeting room.
In light of the recently completed well near the police station, I decided to have a meeting with the Police Commissioner for the county and the man in charge of the Traffic Police to explain to them who we are and to share with them our happiness that the well had been a success. It was nice to see these "big men" so thankful and expressing that thankfulness to God. We had a nice meeting where both sides expresses a strong desire to have a close partnership and assist each other where needed. The part that I liked the most was when we all bowed our heads and Asiki gave thanks to God. While we are praying, I just couldn't stop thinking about how cool it was that we were praying together with such powerful men. Could you imagine going for a meeting with the police commissioner of your town and ending it with prayer? Seems strange for us Westerners.
Well, I just wanted to share that little story with you.
To Date: 61 wells
This Season: 47 wells
Left to go: 8
Friday, July 16, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
A powerful Moment
Last week I had the honor of teaming up with e3 to drill water while they provided medical care, evangelism, and veterinarian services to the people of Terakeka. Terakeka is a very tribal area about two hours drive North of Juba. It is very common to see men and woman, old and young walking around naked. The main tribe of the area is Mundari, and they have some pretty interesting customs including painting themselves with cow dung, and scarring themselves for decoration or family markings. Camping and living with these people for a week was truly an awesome experience and the people turned out to be truly beautiful and loving. The well we drilled for them is the highest yield well we have drilled and there is more water there then they can ever use.
The most powerful moment for me came on the last evening, and I want to share the story with you. On the last evening, we had finished our work were staying in the Harvesters Orphanage compound for the night before heading back home the next morning. The whole group was together, both WHI and e3 team members. Mike Congrove, the e3 Country Director, had set chairs up in a big circle in an open area of the compound. After a time of fellowship, Mike got up and started seating select people into the circle. All of the people he brought into the center were people that were serving God in Sudan in different capacities. Some of the people included Lance and Kim who run the orphanage in Terakeka, the founder of Harvesters, and the e3 missionaries in Terakeka. After bringing these people into the center, he selected elders to come and stand in front of these people. Some of the elders included Mr. Radler, Mark Waddell, David Kaya, Pastor Mulli from Yei, and some excutive e3 people that were also on the trip. Mike then had the elders wash the feet of the seated people while Glenn Cambell described the last few days of Jesus. The rest of us that were seated outside the circle were instructed to pray and praise God. Glenn would describe how Jesus was tortured and beaten and then would say, "Do you know who He was thinking of? I think He was thinking of..." and then say the name of one of the people seated in the middle of the circle.
Just sitting there praying I knew this was a powerful moment, but it was about to get even more so. As I sit there praying, Mike came up and grabbed my shoulder and said, "Stephen, you are supposed to be in the circle too." My first reaction was, "No!" but then Mike said, "You know you can't say no to me." and made me bring my chair and sit in the circle. Of all the elders washing feet, the man that was washing my feet was Pastor Mulli.
Now, before I continue I just want to say a few things about Mulli. There are few people I respect more on this earth than Pastor Mulli. He was one of the first chaplins in the SPLA during the war and he has served God faithfully under the harsest of conditions. He's a big man and looks like somebody that you would want on your side in a fight, but he's probably the most gental and loving man I have ever met. God knew what he was doing when he choose Mulli to wash my feet because He knew nothing could have humbled me more.
Knowing the man Mulli is and what he has gone through during his live and how faithfully he has served God only made it more difficult for me to watch him kneel in the dirt before me and wash my feet. Everything in me wanted to stop him but then God brought to my mind when Simon Peter wouldn't allow Jesus to wash his feet and Jesus replied, "Unless you let me wash your feet, you have no place with me." It then hit me that this was just a small glimse at what the Apostles must of felt like when Jesus washed their feet. That the God of heaven and earth would humble himself as a servant and wash the dirty, undeserving feet of his followers. In human terms it doesn't make any sense that the King of Kings would do that. One needs to look at it in terms of pure love before the meaning becomes more clear.
When the full realization of what Jesus had done for me hit me I couldn't help but break down and cry. I have never felt so humbled in all my life and it broke me. What an beautiful and awesome God we serve!
Next week I will be headed to Morobo county in West Sudan. We'll be drilling six wells in Morobo for churches donated by Salinas Valley Community Church and also another two wells in the Yei area for Pastor Mulli's church and one of the Harvesters new Hospital.
The most powerful moment for me came on the last evening, and I want to share the story with you. On the last evening, we had finished our work were staying in the Harvesters Orphanage compound for the night before heading back home the next morning. The whole group was together, both WHI and e3 team members. Mike Congrove, the e3 Country Director, had set chairs up in a big circle in an open area of the compound. After a time of fellowship, Mike got up and started seating select people into the circle. All of the people he brought into the center were people that were serving God in Sudan in different capacities. Some of the people included Lance and Kim who run the orphanage in Terakeka, the founder of Harvesters, and the e3 missionaries in Terakeka. After bringing these people into the center, he selected elders to come and stand in front of these people. Some of the elders included Mr. Radler, Mark Waddell, David Kaya, Pastor Mulli from Yei, and some excutive e3 people that were also on the trip. Mike then had the elders wash the feet of the seated people while Glenn Cambell described the last few days of Jesus. The rest of us that were seated outside the circle were instructed to pray and praise God. Glenn would describe how Jesus was tortured and beaten and then would say, "Do you know who He was thinking of? I think He was thinking of..." and then say the name of one of the people seated in the middle of the circle.
Just sitting there praying I knew this was a powerful moment, but it was about to get even more so. As I sit there praying, Mike came up and grabbed my shoulder and said, "Stephen, you are supposed to be in the circle too." My first reaction was, "No!" but then Mike said, "You know you can't say no to me." and made me bring my chair and sit in the circle. Of all the elders washing feet, the man that was washing my feet was Pastor Mulli.
Now, before I continue I just want to say a few things about Mulli. There are few people I respect more on this earth than Pastor Mulli. He was one of the first chaplins in the SPLA during the war and he has served God faithfully under the harsest of conditions. He's a big man and looks like somebody that you would want on your side in a fight, but he's probably the most gental and loving man I have ever met. God knew what he was doing when he choose Mulli to wash my feet because He knew nothing could have humbled me more.
Knowing the man Mulli is and what he has gone through during his live and how faithfully he has served God only made it more difficult for me to watch him kneel in the dirt before me and wash my feet. Everything in me wanted to stop him but then God brought to my mind when Simon Peter wouldn't allow Jesus to wash his feet and Jesus replied, "Unless you let me wash your feet, you have no place with me." It then hit me that this was just a small glimse at what the Apostles must of felt like when Jesus washed their feet. That the God of heaven and earth would humble himself as a servant and wash the dirty, undeserving feet of his followers. In human terms it doesn't make any sense that the King of Kings would do that. One needs to look at it in terms of pure love before the meaning becomes more clear.
When the full realization of what Jesus had done for me hit me I couldn't help but break down and cry. I have never felt so humbled in all my life and it broke me. What an beautiful and awesome God we serve!
Next week I will be headed to Morobo county in West Sudan. We'll be drilling six wells in Morobo for churches donated by Salinas Valley Community Church and also another two wells in the Yei area for Pastor Mulli's church and one of the Harvesters new Hospital.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Difficulties and Blessings
It seems that I want to title all my posts "Difficulties and Blessings". There are so many challenges trying to operate a drilling company is South Sudan but God has a way of coming to our aid exactly at the right time. This past month is not exception.
Since about mid February we've been having issues with our compressor which is a major component of our drilling program. We've actually have been having small problems with it since we started using it (hence all the prayer requests for the equipment) but all those small problems came together into one big problem. In the beginning our brand new compressor would overheat once during drilling and shut off. The crew might have to wait 30-60 minutes but then it would work fine again. About three weeks ago it started to overheat after only about 15 minutes of use. Since the crew would have to wait about an hour between those 15 minutes of use, the problem was causing long delays. It was decided that we would go do to Kampala to get it fixed. Thankfully, after basically taking apart the entire machine, it turned out to be a wrong adjustment from the factory. This was truly a huge blessing for us as the fix did not require any new parts. If it did require parts, then we would still be stuck as it takes time since parts have to be ordered from Belgium.
The crew is now in Gulu, Uganda again drilling for an awesome Christian organization called Villages of Hope Africa (VOHA). We will be drilling six wells and sharing the Gospel with everyone we meet. Cole is also with them now documenting the entire event with his spectacular God-given ability to take beautiful photographs. Cole's apprentice, Godfrey, is also doing an amazing job and I am seriously impressed by learning speed and creativity. Cole has posted some of Godfrey's pictures on his blog: www.cgormanphotography.com
I am not in Gulu now but still in Kampala working out the details for buying another motorcycle. This is also very exciting as I found a great used motorcycle that was imported from the UK. The motorcycles generally sold around Kampala are very small and expensive but I found a larger motorcycle that is a perfect fit for the challenges and demands of WHI.
All the paperwork should be done by tomorrow and then I will ride the motorcycle back to Sudan with a short stop in Gulu to check up on the crew. My time in Gulu will be short as I need to get back to Sudan to take a trip up to Terekeka to find some churches and communities in need of water so a few wells can be put in when a e3 and Radler Foundation team comes in May.
I am excited but also dreading riding a motorcycle up to Sudan from Kampala. The trip is a total of 340 miles and only the first 200 miles will be on good roads (until Gulu). After Gulu, the road turns to dirt and will probably be a bit rough due to the recent rains. I will be taking my time and will ride carefully but still your prayers for safety are appreciated.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. I am also sorry for taking long periods between updates. Please know that your prayers and kind comments are more highly valued then I can express in words.
Love You All,
Stephen
Since about mid February we've been having issues with our compressor which is a major component of our drilling program. We've actually have been having small problems with it since we started using it (hence all the prayer requests for the equipment) but all those small problems came together into one big problem. In the beginning our brand new compressor would overheat once during drilling and shut off. The crew might have to wait 30-60 minutes but then it would work fine again. About three weeks ago it started to overheat after only about 15 minutes of use. Since the crew would have to wait about an hour between those 15 minutes of use, the problem was causing long delays. It was decided that we would go do to Kampala to get it fixed. Thankfully, after basically taking apart the entire machine, it turned out to be a wrong adjustment from the factory. This was truly a huge blessing for us as the fix did not require any new parts. If it did require parts, then we would still be stuck as it takes time since parts have to be ordered from Belgium.
The crew is now in Gulu, Uganda again drilling for an awesome Christian organization called Villages of Hope Africa (VOHA). We will be drilling six wells and sharing the Gospel with everyone we meet. Cole is also with them now documenting the entire event with his spectacular God-given ability to take beautiful photographs. Cole's apprentice, Godfrey, is also doing an amazing job and I am seriously impressed by learning speed and creativity. Cole has posted some of Godfrey's pictures on his blog: www.cgormanphotography.com
I am not in Gulu now but still in Kampala working out the details for buying another motorcycle. This is also very exciting as I found a great used motorcycle that was imported from the UK. The motorcycles generally sold around Kampala are very small and expensive but I found a larger motorcycle that is a perfect fit for the challenges and demands of WHI.
All the paperwork should be done by tomorrow and then I will ride the motorcycle back to Sudan with a short stop in Gulu to check up on the crew. My time in Gulu will be short as I need to get back to Sudan to take a trip up to Terekeka to find some churches and communities in need of water so a few wells can be put in when a e3 and Radler Foundation team comes in May.
I am excited but also dreading riding a motorcycle up to Sudan from Kampala. The trip is a total of 340 miles and only the first 200 miles will be on good roads (until Gulu). After Gulu, the road turns to dirt and will probably be a bit rough due to the recent rains. I will be taking my time and will ride carefully but still your prayers for safety are appreciated.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. I am also sorry for taking long periods between updates. Please know that your prayers and kind comments are more highly valued then I can express in words.
Love You All,
Stephen
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Hello Everybody,
The end of January and the beginning of February have been filled with busyness, joy, and sometimes frustration.
Since I last wrote, I have gotten a dog, named Misha. She was owned by the westerners at Samaritan's Purse but after they left she was abandoned and left to fend for herself. I decided to take her in and have never regretted my decision. She is so much fun to have around and is the most loving and thankful dog I have ever met. I think she knows how lucky she is.
I also had a team from the Radler Foundation come for a week. Besides the pranks they played on me, they were a lot of fun to have around. The brought me lots of treats and also a new coworker. My new roommate's name is Cole Gorman, and he is going to be in charge of our marketing and donor reporting programs here in Sudan. He's generally a cool guy to have around (when he isn't dressing like a girl- check out the full story at: www.cgormanphotography.blogspot.com) and it's nice to have some company. Right before Cole came, I started to get really nervous and wondered how he and I would get along. My house is pretty small and there really isn't much privacy. Thankfully, Cole turned out to be a very laid back guy with a passion for the Lord. He is doing a awesome job training certain crew members in photography and journalism so they will be able to continue his efforts when he leaves in April. I'm even picking up some pointers from him.
Right after the Radler Foundation team left, the Febuary e3 team came and I was happy that I recognized many of the people on the team from either last year or from the year before. It was strange to think that my first time to Sudan was on that trip two years ago and at the time I had no idea I would ever come back.
We have also drilled five more wells! Unfortunately, we have been having some trouble with our equipment. Our big air compressor that blows the dirt out of the hole as we drill is overheating and shutting down constantly. The crew has to wait at least an hour before they are able to turn it on again only to drill 15 minutes before it shuts down. I took the compressor down to Kampala on Sunday (a 9 hour drive, 340 miles) but the mechanics were unable to tell me what is wrong with it. I actually went to two different mechanics. We have located a third and he seems more competent than the other people we have tried. He will have to order parts from Europe which will take about a week. Since we won't drilling for the next couple of weeks but I will keep the crew busy finding other sites to drill when we are up and running again.
As for me I am doing well but am very stressed out about these equipment problems. I am thankful that I, and everybody else on the crew, are in good health. I miss my beautiful girlfriend Ester, but am thankful for new friends here.
Also, two friends of mine, Devin and Jensen Kile, will be coming to visit me at the end of the month which should be a lot of fun. I'm hoping we can get our equipment up and running soon so they are able to see some drilling while they are here.
My major prayer request right now is that we can get our equipment up and running so we can continue our work. The only problem with getting outside funding and donations are the commitments that come with them. We have lots of wells to drill and cannot afford too much downtime. Please pray that the mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and get it fixed as soon as possible.
Please continue to pray for me, for wisdom and leadership and I deal with these problems and with the crew. Pray also that I don't let other things distract me from my true mission here; to share Christ with the Sudanese people. It is very easy to focus on the humanitarian aspects of this work and forget why I am really here.
Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers! I love you all.
The end of January and the beginning of February have been filled with busyness, joy, and sometimes frustration.
Since I last wrote, I have gotten a dog, named Misha. She was owned by the westerners at Samaritan's Purse but after they left she was abandoned and left to fend for herself. I decided to take her in and have never regretted my decision. She is so much fun to have around and is the most loving and thankful dog I have ever met. I think she knows how lucky she is.
I also had a team from the Radler Foundation come for a week. Besides the pranks they played on me, they were a lot of fun to have around. The brought me lots of treats and also a new coworker. My new roommate's name is Cole Gorman, and he is going to be in charge of our marketing and donor reporting programs here in Sudan. He's generally a cool guy to have around (when he isn't dressing like a girl- check out the full story at: www.cgormanphotography.blogspot.com) and it's nice to have some company. Right before Cole came, I started to get really nervous and wondered how he and I would get along. My house is pretty small and there really isn't much privacy. Thankfully, Cole turned out to be a very laid back guy with a passion for the Lord. He is doing a awesome job training certain crew members in photography and journalism so they will be able to continue his efforts when he leaves in April. I'm even picking up some pointers from him.
Right after the Radler Foundation team left, the Febuary e3 team came and I was happy that I recognized many of the people on the team from either last year or from the year before. It was strange to think that my first time to Sudan was on that trip two years ago and at the time I had no idea I would ever come back.
We have also drilled five more wells! Unfortunately, we have been having some trouble with our equipment. Our big air compressor that blows the dirt out of the hole as we drill is overheating and shutting down constantly. The crew has to wait at least an hour before they are able to turn it on again only to drill 15 minutes before it shuts down. I took the compressor down to Kampala on Sunday (a 9 hour drive, 340 miles) but the mechanics were unable to tell me what is wrong with it. I actually went to two different mechanics. We have located a third and he seems more competent than the other people we have tried. He will have to order parts from Europe which will take about a week. Since we won't drilling for the next couple of weeks but I will keep the crew busy finding other sites to drill when we are up and running again.
As for me I am doing well but am very stressed out about these equipment problems. I am thankful that I, and everybody else on the crew, are in good health. I miss my beautiful girlfriend Ester, but am thankful for new friends here.
Also, two friends of mine, Devin and Jensen Kile, will be coming to visit me at the end of the month which should be a lot of fun. I'm hoping we can get our equipment up and running soon so they are able to see some drilling while they are here.
My major prayer request right now is that we can get our equipment up and running so we can continue our work. The only problem with getting outside funding and donations are the commitments that come with them. We have lots of wells to drill and cannot afford too much downtime. Please pray that the mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and get it fixed as soon as possible.
Please continue to pray for me, for wisdom and leadership and I deal with these problems and with the crew. Pray also that I don't let other things distract me from my true mission here; to share Christ with the Sudanese people. It is very easy to focus on the humanitarian aspects of this work and forget why I am really here.
Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers! I love you all.
Friday, January 15, 2010
December-January Update
What a great couple of months it has been. We finished the six wells in Uganda and just finished three more in Sudan. The area where we drilled these last three borehole is one of the areas most in need within Kajo Keji County. This sub-county consists of four villages spead far apart and until recently, there was only one borehole. Now, each village has a borehole.
The second borehole proved to be difficult. On our first attempt we drilled all the way down to 100m (around 300ft) and only found a little water. The second attempt we found more water although it is less than most of the borehole we drill. The community was very greatful. When we were drilling the second attempt, all the village elders were sitting around worried and discussing moving the entire village if no water was found.
All three of the villages in the Kigwo area are small, but I believe the population will go way up now because clean water is available. The villagers said they used to have to compete with animals and insects wherever water would pool up. During the dry season, baboons would slap the children when they tried to fetch water from the water hole.
While we were drilling, I went on a hike and climbed the ridge that separates Central and Eastern Equitorial States and looked down at the Nile that cuts through Sudan on it's way to Egypt. While hiking, I had a close encounter with a big wild bor! It was maybe 20ft away when it ran from the bush and down the hill. It was pretty amazing to see and it looked like the pig from The Lion King complete with tusks.
All in all, this past week was success and we had many new confessions of faith, including crew member Amu Bosco. It was such a blessing to have him come up to me with that excitment in his face that only the Holy Spirit can give and tell me he accept Jesus. I'm so happy and looking forward to watching and helping him grow in his faith.
In other news, there is a team of 10 people from the Radler Foundation coming to visit on the 26th of this month.
I am excited to say that we have been getting so much funding and interest that we are having a harder time finding drilling locations than funding right now. I am so greatful for people's generosity and God's blessing for this project. I firmly our success is largely due in part to the dedicated prayer support of so many people. Please continue to keep me, my crew, our equipment, and the people we serve in your prayers.
Lastly, this update wouldn't be complete without telling you about my Christmas. This year I spent Christmas in Bergamo, Italy with my girlfriend Ester and her family. Those two weeks were great and we got to spend time in Bergamo, Milan, La Spezia, and La Cinque Terre. Of course, I also ejoyed eating my weight in delicious Italian food. Yum! No firm plans are set yet, but I'm hoping to have Ester come visit me sometime in April.
The second borehole proved to be difficult. On our first attempt we drilled all the way down to 100m (around 300ft) and only found a little water. The second attempt we found more water although it is less than most of the borehole we drill. The community was very greatful. When we were drilling the second attempt, all the village elders were sitting around worried and discussing moving the entire village if no water was found.
All three of the villages in the Kigwo area are small, but I believe the population will go way up now because clean water is available. The villagers said they used to have to compete with animals and insects wherever water would pool up. During the dry season, baboons would slap the children when they tried to fetch water from the water hole.
While we were drilling, I went on a hike and climbed the ridge that separates Central and Eastern Equitorial States and looked down at the Nile that cuts through Sudan on it's way to Egypt. While hiking, I had a close encounter with a big wild bor! It was maybe 20ft away when it ran from the bush and down the hill. It was pretty amazing to see and it looked like the pig from The Lion King complete with tusks.
All in all, this past week was success and we had many new confessions of faith, including crew member Amu Bosco. It was such a blessing to have him come up to me with that excitment in his face that only the Holy Spirit can give and tell me he accept Jesus. I'm so happy and looking forward to watching and helping him grow in his faith.
In other news, there is a team of 10 people from the Radler Foundation coming to visit on the 26th of this month.
I am excited to say that we have been getting so much funding and interest that we are having a harder time finding drilling locations than funding right now. I am so greatful for people's generosity and God's blessing for this project. I firmly our success is largely due in part to the dedicated prayer support of so many people. Please continue to keep me, my crew, our equipment, and the people we serve in your prayers.
Lastly, this update wouldn't be complete without telling you about my Christmas. This year I spent Christmas in Bergamo, Italy with my girlfriend Ester and her family. Those two weeks were great and we got to spend time in Bergamo, Milan, La Spezia, and La Cinque Terre. Of course, I also ejoyed eating my weight in delicious Italian food. Yum! No firm plans are set yet, but I'm hoping to have Ester come visit me sometime in April.
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