Work Days 1 and 2

The past two days have been absolutely crazy, and we are so blessed to have gotten started on the work at Rays of Peace.

Our days have started out with an Indian breakfast (essentially every meal is a different variation of curry and its amazing) and a prayer by the children. We are slowly learning this prayer/song from the children, but it is definitely been a learning curve.

We got started on the work right away, so to preface I am going to outline the goals of this trip.

We are installing a water purification system with the following layout

Before you get overwhelmed by the amount of words and pictures and arrows on this page, it is important to note that there are essentially three things we need to work on to make this system work.

Goal 1: We will pump and soften water flowing from the 15000L tank to the 7000L tank

Goal 2: We will distribute the purified water to each building and purify the water in the kitchen

Goal 3: We must ensure that the plumbing and electrical wiring properly power the system

On days 1 and 2 we tackled all of these goals to a degree.

The team worked on building/constructing and gluing the proper pipes together to ensure that the system would properly soften the water. This included chiseling the concrete (for HOURS) on the concrete pads that surrounded the cisterns in order to allow for piping to be laid.

The team spent time cleaning out, organizing, and planning how to properly set up our water purification system in the kitchen. This included various individuals cleaning tanks.

Cleaning out the inside of the water tanks

Setting up and preparing the submersible pumps

Drilling to prepare for chiseling the concrete outside the concrete pad

In all of this work, we were seldom alone. The children at Rays of Peace were more than eager to assist us in our work. The Rays of Peace staff provided us with three delicious meals a day, including coffee and a tea break. Dare I forget the MANGOS

Perhaps the highlight of our trip so far has been the time we have spent with the kids. In addition to organized times throughout the day, we spend 5-7pm each day outside playing soccer, volleyball, CRICKET, running around and having fun outside.

It has truly been a blessing to be at this campus, and while each day has been long and tiring, we have also seen God's hand in so many ways.

Ways we have seen God work:

• Provision of the staff, Rays of Peace children, and physical needs

• Hours spent with the children doing devos, prayers, and playing have shown us the JOY of God, and the passion and love for life we sometimes take for granted

• Safety and health of all involved

Ways we could use prayers

• All of our equipment and pre travel jobs have not been completed... please pray for timely and efficient equipment arrivals

• General energy and eagerness to continue to invest and pour out in these kids

• For the weather to hold up (it has been off and on thunderstorms)

Thanks to all who have been praying, we are appreciative and will continue to update.