Thursday August 2

This is now Jim and Nancy's turn to write the blog.
We'll begin by going back to Tuesday morning and visiting the co-op partnership between ICDI and the Catholic organization. It was great to see the vision of ICDI and be part of the team working along side nationals clearing land and planting different crops for food. Jim was reminded of a time around the 1930s when state agricultural colleges and agricultural extension agencies worked hand in hand with local farmers to advice them on what to plant, how to raise and harvest crops.The teen age boys now feel useful [instead of living on the streets] and their self esteem is raised as they learn useful skills. Jim Z. worked with 2 boys approximately 12 and 15 years digging out tree stumps with shovel and machete and then throwing them on the burn pile.
The above won't be possible without the agricultural forest center at ICDI run by Josh. It reminds us of a miniature version of the Ag research at Penn State University only tailored to the CAR. Josh is concentrating on many varieties of banana trees, other fruit trees and bean plants to see what grows best here and can add better nutrition to the diet of the people. One sign of malnutrition is the children occasionally having a copper tint to their hair. Malnutrition is more of an issue than starvation is in this country.
Josh is offering training to the community on Wednesday afternoons. This week he shared for 2 hours on different types of fruit trees to plant and the kind of fruit they yield. Attendance was less due to the many hours of rain earlier in the day, but the ten who did come listened attentively with lively discussion. It reminded Jim of going to meetings at the Ag extension agency for up-dates on the latest farming practices. Before going home, the people can purchase fruit trees.
Today began with everyone on the team getting a tour of the best garage in the CAR - the ICDI garage. The garage takes care of all the maintenance on the ICDI fleet of vehicles [ ?25 ?] including the well driller and 2 support trucks. Maintenance is an understatement: they do much more such as frame off rebuild of vehicles, engine replacements, injection pump rebuilds, outfitting of the vehicle for the rough CAR roads. The capabilities is endless and the skill level of the workers is impressive.
Each morning at the garage begins with Bible study. Currently the men are studying Exodus lead by Alphonse who is the business manager/accountant. He speaks English well and was trained at a Bible School. Many of the men are born-again believers. At the end of the tour we spoke to several of the men who conveyed their great appreciation for us making the long trip , having an interest in what they are doing and they know they have a very poor nation and feel very blessed to have people come from a rich nation. They are willing to sacrifice the six weeks away from their families to provided good water for communities and also try to demonstrate Christ's love while in the villages.
This afternoon everyone except Nate walked 45 minutes to town and shopped. Abe was able to get some medicine for hives. Lisa and Debbie bought several yards of beautiful fabric from Holland from a Muslim merchant. Most of the group heard some drums being played and stopped to listen. They enjoyed this activity.
Nate had stayed back so he could participate in the 4 o'clock daily soccer game. It is played by middle school and older young people. The under 10 year old group of 15 kids played their own games: kick your friend's bottom and laugh, throw newly cut grass, and head-stands. They make their own entertainment.

This evening we had a scrumptious dinner at Kim and Jan Koon's home of shish-ka-bobs, squash casserole, yummy bread and home-made strawberry yogurt popsicles.
Other observations: Fewer bugs than we had expected; cooler temperatures partly due to cloudy weather.
Our time is half over and we are having a wonderful time. We are continually exposed to many new things God is allowing us to see. Written by Jim and Nancy Zuck