🛀 Roatan World Water Day - 2019

Island view - water, water everywhere. 

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Friday was World Water Day. I saw several really informative articles about the effort some people in the world go to to get water each day. Compassion's blog was a people story and I liked that. I thought I would write a bit about water in Roatan, in the Colonia. Before I start, I need to make this disclaimer: this is only my understanding of what happens and what I have seen in my visits. I'm definitely not getting the whole picture.

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Roatan is an island. Everywhere you look you see water - seawater. Potable water suitable for drinking, bathing, cooking, and laundry doesn't come out of the sea. When it rains, barrels can be used for collection. But, since the rain comes seasonally here, depending on rain water is - undependable.  Saturday I went for a visit to see Arezzi and her family. I thought I'd show you a bit about how that family, and many others in the Colonia, get water.

Unlike some people in the world, this family does not walk for a distance carrying a jug to get water. I understand this was the case here about 15 years ago. A missionary friend, Henry Zittrower, was instrumental in making a change  so water would come to the individual properties. 

Arezzi's water comes from a well that pumps water from a depth of 350 feet. In Poly Carpo, the Colonia in which Arezzi's family lives, this well serves well over a thousand people so the water comes to different sectors on different days, for either the morning or the afternoon and families collect whatever they want or need from a pipe that comes to their property line. 

"Water Day" is an event and usually requires someone to be home to turn on the valve to begin to fill water containers, to exchange full containers for waiting-to-be-full containers, and eventually if all the water containers are filled, to turn off the valve - or not as often happens - resulting in a temporary stream of water running down the path. I always know when it is water day when I'm visiting since there is the intermittent stream from dumped laundry tubs and overflowing water barrels to step around.

Arezzi lives waaaay up there, so water coming to her house is pumped from the well a long way up. The water travels through white PVC pipes. Larry says it is hard to wrap his head around seeing pipes running along the top of the ground, or when buried, only a few centimeters under the ground. I have learned that those pipes are not to be used for handrails when climbing. I think it was some young children who told me this.

From the well, the water travels up a gentle slope, to the stairs (138 - I counted)

then up the not-so-gentle-slope to the three house community with Arezzi's being the upper most. 

Today was water day in the sector of Poly Carpo where Arezzi lives. This was the first water day in 20 days! Twenty days!  No typo! Usually, she gets water every 8 days but for some reason - she didn't know - there hadn't been water. Previously, there have been problems with the pump at the well, or the pump to pump from from the well up the hills. Maybe that was the reason again this time? We anticipate that this year will be a very challenging water year for people here as the rains that came in rainy season were well below average. 

Some of my kids told me that they didn't go to school a few days last week. I asked why, and was told that the school uniforms weren't washed so they couldn't go to school. Did you just sigh a big sigh??! 

Arezzi's husband, Victor, provides very well for his family.  Since water isn't available 24-7, it is collected in containers for use over several days.  This family has a large black tank for water storage, as well as 3 blue barrels for immediate use. The tanks take up much of the extra space outside the house, but the family does not run out of water. Families are allowed to collect as much water as their containers will hold for the cost of 250 lempiras ($13) per month so Victor gets the most he can for his money.

Victor has rigged up a wife and child friendly pipe system to fill his tank and water barrels.

The kids know how to dip water out for use for washing. There is no running water in the house. When Victor has work, the family has jugs of drinking water delivered to their house. 

I have asked people about using the water that comes through the pipes for drinking. The official word is that this water is purified. As the water sits in the tanks though, bug larvae hatch. One of my kids says that the water from the tank makes her belly hurt. And, there are lots of tummy aches. Purified water for drinking is a real problem. Carrying the full water jug along the paths and up the hill for a family is backbreaking. Many mamas make sure their kids drink water, but they cut back themselves with resulting kidney problems. This may explain in part why so much cola is consumed - maybe. 

Drinking water

This evening Arezzi and her oldest daughter will be exhausted after taking on a megapile of laundry. When Victor comes home from work, he won't need to dip deep into the barrel to get water to wash with. Each of the kids will be bathed. Meanwhile, as I have been writing this, I have enjoyed a glass of ice water. Larry has cleaned and prepared our vegetables for our meal. The toilet has been flushed. And a shower is anticipated. 

When I read various articles including the Compassion Blog about World Water Day - Risky Trek for Clean Water, it seems distant, and I am quite detached. However, Water Day Once Every 8 (or 20!) Days with Arezzi, vs Water Everyday Whenever You Want for Us is very near - we're within walking distance! Because of our friendship with Arezzi and her family, it is also very meaningful. It is real, and a part of living. 

March Update

March, 2019

Greetings and warm breezes to you!

I just asked Larry what he would like to include in an update to you.  We are becoming so accustomed to how things are, that things we found newsworthy previously - when we felt we were flying by the seat of our pants - are now normal. We think we have told you everything that would be interesting. There are times that we forget to notice what God is doing in all of the stuff of the day. So the preparation leading up to writing this update has required much thinking. And, we procrastinate…..

January and early February was a whirl of school preparations. We have fewer students sponsored and enrolled in the private school. Registration and shopping was, as always, entertaining. All five of these students have become independent and confident and rarely need day-to-day assistance as previously. This year, two more of our students will be graduating from high school. Another ministry provided uniforms for the church children, so we were able to focus on public school families with needs that are missed by other ministries. Lots of times we were in a place where we knew we were the ones to help.

Saul set for picking up students

In our December update, we mentioned a few projects in the waiting stage. Thank you for your prayers. One of these had to do with a new bus to provide transportation for school students, and to provide outside work for the assistant pastor at Son Rise church. Saul was able to get the new bus (van) in time for school start-up. He provides for the students we assist in both the private and public schools, as well as several other students, making three return-trips into town a day as he provides for 42 students. From the start, Saul was anxious to have reliable transportation to safely transport people to church at night. As well as his school-day runs, he provides transportation for the church needs. When you wonder what Larry is doing, he is doing what he likes best – finding deals!

Larry has also accompanied a friend around the island looking for affordable property for his car rental and tour business. The best part of this is that all Larry needs to contribute is time and sage advice.  The price is right! At this time, an affordable, flat property has not been found. Sounds like more adventures, Larry!

We continue to entertain our small group of students who come for lessons three days a week. This is a new group, as our other kids don’t need us anymore (sigh….). The group is mostly boys. Oooooo la la!! Happily, progress is being made amid the hubbub and as long as they get 20 minutes to play on the computers, there are no revolts. Our only girl, Yisel, grade 4, doesn’t like computer games. But she will ask Larry to play games. The other day, Larry was busy. She wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic when she had me as her UNO opponent!

 

Yisel enjoys playing games with Larry

                ✨  Where have we seen God in our work recently? Well, lots of places, but we want to share one special blessing. A few weeks ago, Pastor Ivan at Son Rise church, with his wife, another missionary, and I went to visit Bessy and Marvin and their three young children. Our purpose was to provide help in the house, as well as prayer for this young family. Bessy had had an ultrasound the previous week, at the third month of her pregnancy. The doctor had identified an irregularity and had requested a follow-up ultrasound in a month. The doctor had suggested that Bessy and the baby could be at risk and tough decisions might result from the next ultrasound. A regimen of bed rest and prayer was in order. With three young children and a husband who isn’t a house husband, the bed rest was soon abandoned. However, much prayer continued during the waiting month. When talking with Bessy, I reminded her that God had her little one in His hands and to put her trust in her Heavenly Father. Last week, Bessy returned for a follow-up ultrasound. Praise God – Bessy and her little boy are both healthy! Bessy shared her testimony Saturday at church recalling that God was keeping them in His hands and she was trusting this.  Pastor Ivan has a special prayer for this family – that Marvin finds permanent work to support his growing family.

A visit with Bessy, Marvin and kids

The McFaddens meet with Jimena,
Sandra and brother Steven

It is always such an encouragement when we have visitors. In mid-February, the McFadden family – Chris, Rob, with their sons Tyler and Josh – visited for a day. As well as an excellent island tour (thanks Elias!), we hiked up to visit with Sandra and Jimena and family. The McFadden’s home church, Dresden Community Church assisted with provision for Jimena during her time in the hospital in Tegucigalpa. Sandra was happy to express her thanks in person.  We also felt God provided a special gift for us when we met a couple visiting from BC. Kersten and Darcy’s enthusiasm about everything was contagious. They travelled with us into the Colonia -twice - and encouraged us to join them as they were out and about.

Our time here will be wrapping up with our return to life on the farm in early April. We have felt supported by your prayers and want to encourage you – don’t stop now!  Specifically we ask for prayer for:

o   Bessy and Marvin – for continued health for Bessy and her little one, and for work for Marvin

o   the pastors at Son Rise church as they serve

o   For us! as we share and serve in our last month for this season

Thank you to those of you who send us notes to keep us updated with news from home and to those who keep things going for us while we’re away.  We REALLY enjoy hearing from you! In a few weeks, as we wrap things up, a picture blog will be posted with pictures from our last month and a half.                                     (see: roatancampbells.blogspot.ca)                                           Love to you all!  ~ Larry and Susan

A little out-and-about with Kersten and Darcy

Taking to the Road

Luis with daughter Brandi - making cheese deliveries
Brandi does not pull the helmet down because the tinted face guard makes it hard to read her tablet. 

Roatan is experiencing a wheel explosion! Depending on your point of view, it is either a real advancement, or a wheel problem. People are trading in their walking sandals for motorbikes, pickups, cars, and bicycles and have taken to the road, and the side of the road, and the middle of the road, in droves.

You don't have to be here long in Roatan to experience some adventures on the road. Everyone can recount a harrowing ride in the back of a taxi. Many of us can recall images of motorcycles zipping along with odd shaped cargo fastened to the bike, or the driver, or carried by a passenger who may be facing to the front or back depending on the need.  Frequently, taking a picture isn’t what you’re thinking of as an accident-waiting-to-happen careens around you – you’ll have to google a picture for yourself!

Old timers will recall the good 'ol days when the road wasn't paved and water taxis were used to go from place to place. Although using a water taxi is now the alternative to waiting in the line for the paving/concrete work that is being done on the island, impatient workers (and tourists) are not likely to choose the scenic route for day-to-day travel.

The number of vehicles on the road has increased dramatically in a few short years. With this is a roadful of inexperienced drivers. To become a licenced driver at this time in Honduras, a written test, a medical test, and a psychological test are required. Once these are completed and the required payment is made, the new driver is released to the road. Happily, our winding and hilly roads limit speeds somewhat.

Just this year, we have begun to see more and more women drivers. Woohoo!  Except – oo-oo! At this point, babies and children are not required to be placed in a child car seat, or to be buckled in, or to even be in the back seat.  The picture below shows how some moms are solving the driving with baby problem.

One of our families leaving church.

The moto (scooter or motorcycle) is the vehicle of choice for the emerging working class. There are many really good, cautious, courteous moto drivers. And, there are some that value speed over life. Daily, we cringe to hear of serious motorcycle accidents. 

Non-moto riders like we are also are horrified to see little children riding with adults on the motos. By children I mean sometimes a child, and sometimes more than one child – on a single moto. Yikes!

The happiest new-ish wheelie we are seeing is the bicycle. While a bicycle is a common type of transportation in many countries, the steep hills here limit their usefulness. Bicycles are less costly on the mainland but here the price is prohibitive.

We were excited to see Javi come to class here riding his bike. Javi’s dad works at the dump. His bike reminds us of the many bikes we rode when we were kids. Javi’s pedals are missing the rubbery part, his chain is prone to fall off, and it is lacking fenders but Javi is the envy of all the other boys.

Javi with his bike. The boys all wanted to hop on.

We know there is no going back. Traffic jams at the triangle and during noon and cruise ship days are likely to only get worse. Accident victims are going to continue to fill the hospital beds. It will be interesting to see if municipal and national leaders fill in the gaps with rules of the road to protect. We do know though -like everything else our Latin American friends do – they approach driving with much passion! And...... they're off!

Natali on her in-the-house bike. The hills are too steep for Natali's leg muscles.