The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
There are about 10 of us with SP right now - Len is the head of SP security, Dr. Warren Cooper, Charles Ibsen program coordinator, Imanuel from Liberia is the finance officer - he is a Liberian who speaks french, Patrick is the outgoing finance officer from Boon NC, David Ingrahm Liaison officer, Edward also a Liberian who is looking aftter logistics and nutrition/ food distribution, and Shadrack a Kenyan also nutrition/food distribution
United nations troops everywhere – When we landed, there were bunkers all around the airport. There is a contingent from Indian Army, who are wearing the UN turquoise turbans. Airport is a very interesting place – appears that about 10years ago, the local volcano erupted and buried much of the town and the airport. There are jets there that were trapped after the eruption, and lay derelict as the are unable to take off on the shortened runway, as it was not reconstructed after the eruption. The airport is extremely busy with relief flights coming in and out. It is quite a process, as there are many individuals trying to capitalize on those coming into the country and finding creative ways to charge them fees.
Yesterday we went to a Baptist church about 12km from town. It is quite a task getting through town, as the roads are absolutely terrible – worse than Costa Rica or Uganda if you can believe it. Surrounding the small church, probably the size of Colebrook, are 1000 huts where IDP (Internally Displaced People) families of about 9 are living in absolute squalor. No agency is yet in charge of this camp; that is being worked on. It is tough to be patient on the politics when people are living in such destitute conditions. These huts are 2 meters wide by 2.5 meters long by about 1.5 meters high stick frames. These huts are covered with banana leaves, so are not water tight. We have tried to find out how many people sleep in each hut, but have not found that out. We were escorted by the SP program coordinator Charles Ibsen – Charles is from Edmonton, and went to Trinity Western. He is the SP Niger country Director.
This was the toughest part so far...the site of the camp is in a lava field, which is very rough and sharp like our barbeque rock with large outcroppings. The people at the camp have to walk 1000 meters distance and about a 30 meter drop to get water from the lake and carry it back to the camp. It is mostly the job of the children; I mostly saw little girls from 2 to 10 doing this. One of the girls was walking with this water jug harnessed to her head, she was about 4 years old little bit of nothing. She was sobbing; I suspect she was sick...tore at my heart. Along the path to the lake is a UN garbage dump, where people were scavanging for whatever they could use.
It is our hope to install a pump at the lake shore, and pump the water through a 1000 meter long pipe up to the camp/church where it can be stored in "pillow" or "onion" tanks and treated with chlorine and the distributed to taps. This will so help these folks, not only by reducing the physical effort of getting the water, but also providing easier access for basic hygene.
United nations troops everywhere – When we landed, there were bunkers all around the airport. There is a contingent from Indian Army, who are wearing the UN turquoise turbans. Airport is a very interesting place – appears that about 10years ago, the local volcano erupted and buried much of the town and the airport. There are jets there that were trapped after the eruption, and lay derelict as the are unable to take off on the shortened runway, as it was not reconstructed after the eruption. The airport is extremely busy with relief flights coming in and out. It is quite a process, as there are many individuals trying to capitalize on those coming into the country and finding creative ways to charge them fees.
Yesterday we went to a Baptist church about 12km from town. It is quite a task getting through town, as the roads are absolutely terrible – worse than Costa Rica or Uganda if you can believe it. Surrounding the small church, probably the size of Colebrook, are 1000 huts where IDP (Internally Displaced People) families of about 9 are living in absolute squalor. No agency is yet in charge of this camp; that is being worked on. It is tough to be patient on the politics when people are living in such destitute conditions. These huts are 2 meters wide by 2.5 meters long by about 1.5 meters high stick frames. These huts are covered with banana leaves, so are not water tight. We have tried to find out how many people sleep in each hut, but have not found that out. We were escorted by the SP program coordinator Charles Ibsen – Charles is from Edmonton, and went to Trinity Western. He is the SP Niger country Director.
This was the toughest part so far...the site of the camp is in a lava field, which is very rough and sharp like our barbeque rock with large outcroppings. The people at the camp have to walk 1000 meters distance and about a 30 meter drop to get water from the lake and carry it back to the camp. It is mostly the job of the children; I mostly saw little girls from 2 to 10 doing this. One of the girls was walking with this water jug harnessed to her head, she was about 4 years old little bit of nothing. She was sobbing; I suspect she was sick...tore at my heart. Along the path to the lake is a UN garbage dump, where people were scavanging for whatever they could use.
It is our hope to install a pump at the lake shore, and pump the water through a 1000 meter long pipe up to the camp/church where it can be stored in "pillow" or "onion" tanks and treated with chlorine and the distributed to taps. This will so help these folks, not only by reducing the physical effort of getting the water, but also providing easier access for basic hygene.
1 comment:
God bless you both. You must be seeing some very difficult things over there. I pray that God protects your hearts as you struggle to serve amidst the devastation. Be strong and courageous! -Scott
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