Fish Diamond

This is Abe, and I am going to keep this one short because we are getting ready right now for our 3 day trip into to the jungle. We are going to leave tomorrow morning at 5 AM and will not have access to the Internet again until Monday night when we arrive in Bangui. But here's the recap of today.

Nate, Jim Z, and I went to see the Well Repair Team fix up two wells that had broken down here in Beberati. ICDI has two repair teams which visits about 400 wells all over the country and will do any necessary repairs. Each village pays a small amount for this service and it guarantees that they will always have fresh water. The average life of a well before it needs repaired is about 3 years. Some of the wells in high traffic areas break down every few months. It became very apparent to us how important the well repair program is in keeping the promise of fresh water alive and not just becoming another well intentioned organization that makes only a short-term impact.

The girls went to the morning market to look for some African fabric. However, they came back with more than just fabric. They found some ladies to do their hair African style, and Joanna and Lisa have been sitting in the guest house for the last 6 hours having their hair braided! This was a little bit of surprise to me when I came back from the well repairs, but I think it is going to be a good look for wali ti mbi (my wife). You all back home will get to see it next week when we come home, but here is a picture for now.

This afternoon Jim and Nancy Z and I also got more than we bargained for when we went to visit a fish farm of one the ICDI workers, Jean. We thought we were driving to a pond somewhere in town, but we ended up on an hour and a half hike through the bush and rain forest down to a little stream where he has dug small ponds to raise fish. Now let me say that Beberati is somewhat of a diamond rush town. Most of the people come looking for diamonds, and they can find them easily. Jean found a bunch of small diamonds just digging his fish ponds. That is a nice perk! But more exciting than the diamonds, which only bring temporary money, is the business he will have selling his fish and the nutrition it will bring.

Here is a final picture that I am sure the Zuck family will appreciate. =) She was translating the sign to Jim- it was a cute and funny moment, and Nancy was a very good sport about it.

Thanks to everyone who is reading this blog! Your comments are encouraging, and it is good to know that so many of you are thinking of us and praying. Please pray for our safety as we will be traveling until Monday. We love you all and will talk you again in a few days.

- Abe