"Unsexy" Water Projects

"...donors are restricting aid to "sexier" projects such as schools and hospitals – even though the benefits of those are diminished if their recipients have no clean water or toilets."


This is a serious problem.


Visit Common Dreams to read the whole article, then visit EDGE OUTREACH to help.

alive with springs

"There is intoxication in the waters of contemplation, whose mystery fascinated and delighted the first
Cistercians and whose image found its way into the names of so many of those valley monasteries that stood in forests, on the banks of clean streams, among rocks alive with springs.

These are the waters the world does not know, because it prefers the water of bitterness and contradiction.  These are the waters of peace, of which Christ said: 'He that shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall not thirst for ever.  But the water that I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into life everlasting.'

These are the Waters of Siloe, that flow in silence"

-Thomas Merton, The Waters of Siloe 

Wildflowers [...to hearken than the fat of rams.]

"...see how they wake without a question
even though the whole world is burning."
-W.S. Merwin, "Rain Light"


I read another poem, or perhaps it was part of this poem that described so eloquently the shattering of the dew as the water droplets release explodingly as one brushes by a leaf or flower blossom. Quietly the rain or dew, the flowers, they obey their creator without a question.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

 But Samuel replied:
   “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

CR: Day Seven

Middletown UMC Costa Rica - Day 7 (Sun, 06/12/2011)

Costa Rica is beautiful.

Beautiful doesn't begin to describe it. In a way almost completely opposite from yesterday in the slum, we found that God is so evident in the patterns of fern leaves, the pounding waterfalls, the delicate orchids, the beaming sun, the rainbow sherbet beak of a toucan, the camouflage of a poison dart frog. He is mind-blowingly creative, not that I would ever want to worship a God whom I could wrap my brain around.

At La Paz Waterfall Gardens, we let toucans land on us and eat from our hands, saw pumas and panthers, tree frogs and tadpoles, watched as butterflies emerged from their cocoons and landed on our shoulders after their very first flight, and so much more. Words can't really describe what we saw today at La Paz, and so I will leave it at that.

After a long day of hiking the bus driver took us on a long trek up the mountain as the sun set to a restaurant that sits at the top of one of the mountains. By the time we were about half way up, the city lights were spectacular. Imagine what it looked like when we reached the very top, over a mile above sea level. The sea of sparkling, twinkling lights--although created by man--testifies to the Lord as creator of ordained co-creators. After a fabulous dinner and a quick trip to the grocery store we arrived back at the church.

Debrief was short while devos encouraged us to allow God to use us as his tools of the trade, as we learn what that trade is. This short email cannot possibly sum up one week in Costa Rica, especially not one spent with Middletown UMC, but it must suffice.

Big day tomorrow. Flight leaves at 1 PM (Costa Rica time) and we should be on the ground in Louisville by midnight.

To everyone that has prayed, donated money, time, and extra effort to get this fabulous team to Costa Rica, I thank you. You made a wise investment in the future lives of the Middletown youth and adults, and in the world. I will reiterate what Sandra said at the Episcopal feeding center on Day 5. Whether or not you participated in this trip in person, or vicariously through one of these team members, "estan cambiando vidas." You are changing lives.

Pura Vida, Nathan Rider

CR: Day Six

Middletown UMC - Day 6 (Sat, 06/11/2011)

We never left the church today. Might have started getting a little antsy towards the end of the day. Lots of good bonding time. Today we gave a day back to Iglesia Cristiana and painted a multipurpose room as EDGE North America tries to do on every trip to EDGE Costa Rica. Today it was the adults that really shined brightly.  (I'll come back to that.) 

We had a nice morning getting ready in a relaxed way, but still getting to work at about 8:30. I was very nervous when I found out that our paint was oil based....never good with inexperienced mission teams. After cleaning up the room and prepping for painting I walked in to give the go ahead to start painting and most of the first wall was already done! I was a nervous wreck that by the end of the day this paint would cover the whole campus from top to bottom. However, come the end of the day I was happily surprised to find one of the best paint jobs I have ever seen a volunteer team complete. Partway through the paint job Pastor Angel arrived to take us on a walk through Los Pinos, the nearby slum.

In debrief we talked about how even there in the midst of the scrappy tin shacks, trash, and feces, we could see the face of God in the blossoming flowers, the light in the children's eyes, and the fabulous view of San Jose down and the mountain tops above. Being that San Jose is in a valley, the mountains are visible from anywhere in the city. Keeping my eyes on the horizon, I am often reminded of the savior for whom I live my life and continue to hand it over day after day.


After returning from the walk the adults got right back to work finishing the job...and finishing it well. They replaced three broken window panes, a floorboard that had been completely hollowed out by carpenter ants, and put the most professional coat of paint on I have ever seen done by a group like this. I was inspired by the diligence of Jeff in doing the carpentry right while Susan, Kim, and Mark chugged along 'til the very end.


Devotions after debrief was another chance to feel brokenness that comes before change and look to the hills, the Lord, for strength. After Chay and Nathan challenged us by defining the difference between being a fan of Christ and being a follower, they asked what it meant to be called a Christian and "called" as a christian. One youth knew exactly what God was speaking to her heart, while another was almost embarrassed to admit that she had no idea yet what the Lord was saying to her. With everyone else in between, we broke off to dinner with prayer knowing where to direct our sight and ears listening for Christ's calling. Similarly to how it has been as we have come to Costa Rica, the Lord will provide direction while we are going, and after we arrive home.


Psalm 121 -
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
  where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
  the Maker of heaven and earth.


3 He will not let your foot slip—
  he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
  will neither slumber nor sleep.


5 The LORD watches over you—
  the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
  nor the moon by night.


7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
  he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
  both now and forevermore.


Pura Vida y Shalom

CR: Day Five.5

Middletown UMC Costa Rica Day 5, part 2 (Fri, 06/10/2011)

We went to meet Tita at a feeding center in Tirrases. In the midst of the first midday rain and thunderstorm, we received a warm welcome [in English! Bonus!] out of the rain on the bus and then paraded on in.

The organization is situated in an area where the children will either go hungry or fend for themselves, nearly completely neglected by family. We opened the door to see a large room full of students helping students and single mothers helping each other as well, as they taught each other how to decorate reusable grocery bags in different styles. When they sell the bags, some of the money goes to the bag maker, and some goes back into the programs. Having created a little micro-business, it boosts self esteem and encourages the members to see possibilities, all while earning money.

Moving towards the back of the building we got to see (as I instantly could tell) the handiwork of Kurtis Daniels and Water Ambassadors of Canada. They had the most impressive water purification set-up I have ever seen, not only that, the impact was just as impressive. The feeding center was constructed because they predicted that the children were failing school because they did not have proper nutrition.

Well after successfully feeding the children, they were still failing. So they moved on to a new initiative towards improving grades. They realized that what the children needed after school was a "home" to go to where they could not only receive food, but help with studying and homework, encouragement, and Christ's love. Christ's love was obviously present there. The Spirit was at work in Tirrases, and will be for a long time.

Led by Carolyn and Catherine, devotions and debrief continued long after the chocolate was dispersed. Having built a level of trust within the group, they were more open to sharing where they saw God at work--from grandfathers to kindegarteners--in a way that showed true emotion and connection. Brokenness is where reconstruction begins.

CR: Day Five - "estan cambiando vidas"

Middletown UMC in Costa Rica - DAY 5 (Fri, 06/10/2011)

Finally got out of bed quick enough to scrounge up the last of the eggs. By this time everyone pretty much knows the drill. We were on the bus and on a roll before too long and arrived at the church (La Ascencion) soon after that. I got to ride shotgun for the bus driver (no not literally) today. I like that seat; it's like watching the drive in the theater instead of watching it on a little airplane headrest TV.

Now the front seat is not for the nervous backseat driver type; Costa Ricans are just about the most wild drivers I have ever seen. I bet they could win on any racing game in any arcade. They have insane skills, if only they would follow the rules....if only there were rules to follow.

After waiting 15 minutes or so for Padre (we are getting good at this Costa Rican time thing) the water team jumped off the bus and got to work finishing the plumbing and assembling pachingas (clear plastic water carriers). Riding shotgun again, I finally got up the boldness to start a conversation with the bus driver, Javier, that consisted of "Where are you from?" and "do you have any family here or there?". He has two children, one of them is two months old, I think. Maybe tomorrow I will get up the nerve to ask him some more questions.

This intense exposition of my amazing [non-existent]Spanish skills was all on the ride to Hogar Escuela Episcopal, a feeding center and daycare that cares for children coming from abusive homes or ones in which they are simply neglected because of lack of resources and sometimes responsibility. This very large facility was just crawling with little children that love to loved. They had so much fun even just looking at us, hugging us, tugging on our pant legs, showing off their English skills.

They are just as ornery and creative as American Kindergarteners too, as one little boy tried to dupe me into thinking he was "el Hombre Araña" [translated: Spider Man]. Nice try little dude; but you didn't even have a mask!

Anyway, the munchkins loved watching the germs drop like flies. One youth chose pure water to wash and cook with in the Germ Skit, listening to Mrs. Soap and Mr. Water talk about the importance of washing hands with "Agua Pura", and interacting with Bwbw the Catepillar helping him make healthy eating choices. The children may not have been paying attention 100% of the time, but Sandra, the director of the organization assured the Middletown team, "estan cambiando vidas." You are changing lives.

Day 5 afternoon will come later.

CR: Day Four

Middletown UMC in Costa Rica - DAY 4 (Thu, 06/09/2011)

Chuck woke me up talking about the bus leaving in a few minutes. As I jumped to attention, the whole room busted up laughing at my morning stupor. ...Off to our new worksite, we arrived at the same time as our tank delivery.

After unloading we entered the church to meet the priest of La Ascention Episcopal Church. He first showed us where he wanted us to install the purifier and then we loaded into a small sanctuary. With brains mulling over a plan to install, Padre explained the history of the church, from it's Anglican roots to its current programs. The program with which we were to become most familiar was that which serves community members with AIDS.

The new water team--Susan, RJ, Nathan D., Megan, and Mikayla (rotating to allow all EDGE trained experts a chance to utilize their skills)---got right to work clearing out the room while Roddy created a game plan for directing the pure water into the kitchen sink. The little maintenance closet become home to two new 400L water tanks while the wall was eventually clothed with a new belt of PVC around the perimeter of the kitchen.

After finding out that the women in the AIDS support and recovery program would not be coming today, our flexible group had to become fluid....(liquid is even more flexible than a flexible solid, and here at EDGE we have this thing for water). We piled on the bus and went to a feeding station that had a water purifier installed about 2 years ago. In the driveway was the first white man I had seen in a while. We met and found out that he was fellow Louisvillian...what a small world.

Franklin Turner and his wife had been in Costa Rica for about 7 years and are interested in the EDGE purifier. (I don't see why anyone wouldn't be!) The children that come to the feeding station eat there for Lunch since going home would mean no food, no parents, no one to take care of them. They are just like children in the US, maybe a little excited to meet Americans, but they are so similar. Upon arriving back at La Ascencion, Catherine and Carolyn took over water team duty and got to work. By the end of the day the PVC manifold and plumbing were nearly complete. With a few finishing touches the project would be complete.

We arrived back at Pastor Angel’s church and had an early debrief. I got into the shower that was boiling hot but it dripped at about a teaspoon per minute—now, that’s what I call a high efficiency shower head. During debrief, Megan and Mikayla did a short group devotion based on the parable of the lost coin. So many of us would have just kicked the quarter under the couch and looked for it the next time we vacuumed. The girls explained how little value we place on things, but how much value we place on getting those things.

From the comments it sounded like the group was starting to understand the freedom that comes with simplicity. They shared how much the enjoyed not having their technology. Every night they prove to themselves how valuable their relationships among themselves are. They play cards and soccer, they sit and talk, they have fun washing dishes together, or making sandwiches. I don’t think I have ever seen someone playing a video game laugh as hard as the sandwich makers were last night. We should enjoy the simplicity but be thankful for what we have. Cata said there is no need to condemn it, just be thankful for it and be willing to do with it what the Lord demands. Debrief came to a close with Mark Smithson expressing his pride in the growth he has seen in this group. I second that.

We had a delicious dinner and I got to listen to Noah tell us about his flan-making skills among others in his goofy, hilarious style. We all went and played mafia for about an hour—I guess, it’s kind of nice not having a watch on me—after we were through silently killing each other with cards and pointing fingers, I enjoyed walking through the house watching all of the little groups that had formed conversations full of exploding laughter and thought provoking questions. All in all, whether they tried to or not, I saw worship for the Lord. What a pleasure it is to spend a week in Costa Rica with a group like this.

CR: Day Three

"There is intoxication in the waters of contemplation..." - Merton

Middletown UMC in Costa Rica - DAY 3 (Wed, 06/08/2011)

Big day today. Huge growth in the team today. They are starting to get why they are here. I couldn't get them to stop talking at debrief tonight.

The morning started with the sweetest fresh pineapple I have nearly ever tasted. Then we were off to familiar turf. Back to Pastor Orlando's church. We were waiting for a Costa Rican delivery of cement blocks and the tanks and pipe. Needless to say, it didn't arrive as soon as we expected. I sat down to start journaling about yesterday and out of nowhere the team had a wheelbarrow full of mortar and were fixing a broken wall outside the front door of the church. I still do not know who's idea it was to do it, but Padre wanted it done. They were on that wall like white on rice. Before long they had it completed.

Once the blocks and tanks arrived, a few stayed behind to work on assembling the manifold while the rest of us followed Padre (Pastor Orlando) on a tour into the slum community which his church serves. This unnerved some, scared some, made some overjoyed, but everyone was blessed by the opportunity. Pastor just knocked on the doors of the homes of some of his congregation members. Many of the women who were taught H&H yesterday live in the slum. We went to Karen's house and stood around and just observed the area, since she was not home. Her neighbor poked her head out and sent her 8 year old daughter out the door to go walk by her self to the top of the hill where she would wait for a ride to school. Over worn tires, broken glass, stray dogs, and loose gravel and concrete, she hiked to the top of this hill, uniform clad with a white shirt, blue flowing skirt and hot pink Barbie backpack. I was able to talk to her when we stopped at the top to chat with Karen who we crossed paths with on our way out. Maria was her name. Maria is 8 years old and she likes going to school, math especially. Maria lives in a slum and is susceptible to contaminated water. So far she is not one of the thousands, but in my book she never will be. She will always be Maria. She has a name. She is a person, an individual. These numbers and figures and ideas I have been talking about for two years now finally are real.

Maria was the first of many children to come. We taught Health &Hygiene to the after school program and they loved it, feeding the caterpillar, singing songs, watching skits. Steven learned health and hygiene today and he is no longer at risk of being a statistic. (photo of Steven). Jose will live to see his 9th birthday tomorrow because he learned that by washing his hands with the 10 step process while singing feliz cumpleanos, his hands will be clean.

The kids taught the Costa Rican children a game called ninja, that they all loved. Trampling the language barrier underfoot, they played and played and played while Glenn taught Pastor Orlando and two women how to operate the purificador. We loved watching the lightbulbs light up as Glenn explained the operation to them. "Amarillo!" cried the children when they tested the water and it was chlorinated in 15 minutes or so. "Wow, es muy facil!" exclaimed the woman holding the pool testing kit as she reexamined the process in her head.

We had a worship service with Pastor Angel back at Iglesia Christiana, and while only two members attended, worshiping the lord while singing in spanish was phenomenal.

I would get to more details but the frogs are cooing, the roaches are screeching and scratching and that blasted rooster keeps on crowing. So Im not sure if its morning or night, the critters have me all confused. What I do know is that I have fallen asleep writing this twice so far. I've gotta get more sleep.

Buenas Noches y Pura Vida, Nathan

CR: Day Two

Middletown UMC in Costa Rica – Day 2 (Tues, 06/07/2011)

Things are going great. After breakfast, chores were completed without even asking. When the bus was packed, we left for the first site. Well, that is after waiting around a while, of course. We spread out along the street outside the front gate and I enjoyed listening to people notice things, question things to each other, and soak in the fact that they were in Costa Rica. "Wow look how huge that bamboo is!" "Hey did you see that cat across the ditch?" "Is that the footbridge to the slum? Thats not just a foot bridge. Thats a whatever-kind-of-bridge-you-want-it-to-be as long as you aren't on it when it collapses." So rather than impatient North Americans, I found myself surrounded by inquisitive, patient, joking, joyful teammates. We arrived at the church and met the pastor. He told us about the church from North Carolina that did so much to help them and gave so much to them (When helping hurts....anybody?) But was quite relieved to find out how much they have in turn given back to their community and fundraise for themselves. Praise the Lord they have not grown dependent on that church. A number of youth and adults began cleaning the area where the purifier will go, as it was where garden waste, old boards and bricks were thrown. Glenn Roddy and the "water team" (for that day) and I went to the hardware store and met Carlos and got our supplies. While we waited, the youth were thrown back by the hospitality as we were served coffee and cookies while we waited. Roddy explained that he always treated EDGE folks like that since they have developed a good partnership.

Meanwhile back on the ranch (church) the health and hygiene team-for-the-day practiced the skits and prepared to be flexible. One woman in the church teaches cosmetology classes (hair/manicures/etc) to women every day and then leads a group session in the afternoons with women who are abused by their husbands, helping them to love themselves again. At debrief tonight Kim Pickett explained how she was inspired by this woman who had to shut down her own salon because she was volunteering too much at the church. That's right, she gave up her job to VOLUNTEER more!!! She said that sometimes its hard, but she trusts that the Lord will provide for her. Wow, that's faith if I ever saw it. Anyway, the H&H team taught for the afternoon group and then did exercises with them, listened and tasted as they shared recipes, and colored pictures with their children after school let out. One of the girls on our team was touched after finding out that last week a relative of the girl to whom they sang Feliz Cumpleanos (to teach how long to wash hands) died of dehydration, while one of the women there was the mother of another girl that died last week of water related sickness. Both completely preventable.

I watched Catherine and Carolyn light up as Roddy empowered and encouraged them by--after cutting the main water line himself--handing over the T, ball valve, and glue while saying without words, "you don't just have to watch, I trust that you can do it." Mark, Chay, Zach, and Hunter assembled the purifier with confidence and ease, blowing Glenn Roddy away. They knew exactly what to do and how to do it. Thanks Bob for the training. Catherine explained to the group tonight during debrief how she was impacted when she noticed that the simplicity does not limit their happiness, in fact it may even be freeing. We assigned pairs to pick a devotion to share for the next four nights and encouraged them to journal. Some really took that to heart, others we might have to wrestle to pick up a pen. If only they could see the benefit now.

We will be installing tomorrow at Iglesia Episcopal Costarricence Congregaccion Todos los Santos so prayer for them and their many ministries would be great. The mountains are beautiful the people are hospitable, life is beautiful in Costa Rica. Its tempting to just stay. But don't worry. I'll come back I guess.

Light sleepers are hoping Gallo the Rooster next door would take a hike. Maybe tomorrow he will start crowing at 4 instead of 3 AM. Gotta love God's creations.

"Lord, you see

the things you want me to do,

the people you want me to touch.

Left as I am

I can never be an instrument

of your grace to others.

Left as I am

I will be

an impediment,

a stumbling block.

You love me to much

to leave me as I am."

Lord change me.

Pura Vida, Nathan

CR: Day One

Mon, 06/06/2011


On the ground. Loving it. Feeling at home in yet another place in my
Father's world.  A little overwhelmed at times but I was able to keep a calm face on, I guess its a gift.


Made a few mistakes/Had a few challenges

• 6:00 flight delayed to 7, delayed to 7:30 or so. Landed and got 4 gates away when the last boarding call was made as 17 EDGErs and 3 ROTC cadets ran to the gate. Barely made it, but still made 
• Separated on the concourse trams in 
• Lost a bag at the airport. 14 yr old boy took Jeff's luggage to adventure camp on accident.  Still no word on it.
• Ana gave me a chance to give direction when we first got there and I just drew a blank.

Saw some flourishing 

• Some of the girls are trying their hand at 
• Shopping with Ana, Cata, and Kim was a blast.  Got some good conversation in.
• Team is bonding well enjoying their time so far.

Not every day... [pumped for tomorrow/update from the night watch]

Couldn't decide on the title...
Porter and I are on security duty on the Ohio River tonight, watching tugboats pull heavy barges up and down the river and admiring the Louisville skyline reflect off of the glossy water. We are surrounded by intense new disaster relief equipment that will be debuted tomorrow in a press conference with EDGE OUTREACH and some other local organizations. Its not every night that one gets to watch the sun set over the Louisville skyline then go to bed in the 4-person bunk area in a disaster response unit that could change the face of disaster response forever.  More details to come tomorrow after the press conference! ! Check www.edgeoutreach.com.

...and to my listening ears

...all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

Not a statistic anymore.

25,000 People died today because they did not have access to clean water.
But that is just a number I have said over and over.  It is almost meaningless now.  But now that I have met the faces of the 25,000, it has meaning.

Steven is no longer a statistic. He is a person. He has a face and a personality. He has pure water.

3

1+1+1=3
Simple math.
If you don't get it, don't worry.
It's just simple math.

There's hope yet...

I had pretty much given up on my dream to one day own a VW microbus until last week when I found my bucket list while searching for my passport.  After noticing them everywhere here in Costa Rica, I think there is still hope.  I may never own one in the Unites States.....but that doesn't mean I won't own one.

Let the heavens ring!

"This is my Father's world.  
O let me ne'er forget 
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 
God is the ruler yet.  
This is my Father's world:  
why should my heart be sad?  
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!  
God reigns; let the earth be glad!"

On the ground in Costa Rica. There is so much poverty, and yet so much happiness.

Way too much to do on a one week trip.

Lord let me not be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of this world's brokenness;

Nor have too much gumption to solve every problem, for am I not broken as well?

Allow me to find peace in your arms and in the welcoming hands of a community that depends so much on relationships and so little on material possessions.

Allow us to welcome each other as we are knowing fully well that the Lord is King.

EDGE OUTREACH

I am currently in Costa Rica on a water development trip with EDGE OUTREACH and Middletown UMC.

So, yes, this is automatically posted.

But in case you are not familiar with who EDGE OUTREACH is:

EDGE is a dynamic faith-based, non-profit organization.  We care deeply about the misery caused by the shortage of pure water in the developing world.  We are really good at training people to relieve that shortage, gallon by gallon.  But we need all the help we can get.

Here's how we do it:

1. We install compact, efficient water purification units and train local people to use them.
2. We fix broken hand pumps (though we still have more than a million to go).
3. We train local people to use proper health and hygiene practices.
4. We train people like YOU to install purifiers, fix pumps, and train others to do the same.
5. We send volunteers all over the world, including post-disaster "first responders."  

EDGE is not just any organization though.  It is composed of passionate people. Passionately devoted to our Christ and to ending injustices in the world.

We have realized that in our own brokenness we need Christ's redeeming love above all else before reaching into someone else's situation while we fix each other's broken lives.

Words of Wisdom from the Wise

Mark Hogg once said (yesterday while I was buying pants):
"Pockets -- if you have them and don't need them, don't use them.
If you need them and don't have them, you're screwed.
Always go with pockets."

I should be on the ground in CR if you are reading this.
Auto posted today, stories from Costa Rica next week.  Check back.
Bide your time at EDGE OUTREACH's website.

T minus 15 hours. CR or bust.

I just saw the Inmans off to their week-long mission trip to New York City and have been left to man the house for the remaining 6 hours or so before I leave to spend the night at the Hogg's who will be taking me to the airport before my flight to Costa Rica.  But until then, I get the pleasure of doing the Inmans (my host family) a favor:  cleaning out the leftovers.  So I am anticipatively sitting and blogging and eating some left over Qdoba Mexican food (in the spirit of Latin American travels) made into a dish that would put up a good fight against even a fresh Qdoba meal (which if you couldn't tell, I am quite proud of).  And in the spirit of leaving the states, I finished some left over ice cream (that surely would have gone bad) that is slowly dribbling down the inside edge of my chilled glass as it floats in its best iceberg form on a sea of frothy (leftover so its really not so frothy) root beer.

And in trying to make my leftovers sound like a king's cuisine, I make light of a rather challenging and heart wrenching subject, that at the moment only twinges my soul.  I am eating a heaping plate of tortillas with grilled chicken, black beans and cheese melted all over it with a full glass of a root beer float. I am about to leave and go to one of the poorest countries in the world. Ouch.  Man I have it good. (or do I?)

Anyway, less philosophy, more facts:
I will be in San Felipe, just outside of San Jose, representing EDGE OUTREACH as a leader for my team from Middletown UMC, right near Louisville.  We will be installing two water purifiers that can provide clean, safe drinking water for thousands of people every day with very minimal input.  While teaching Costa Ricans how to use them, we will also teach basic health and hygiene.  EDGE has found that teaching a community how to simply wash their hands with soap can reduce child mortality rates by up to 50%. That is huge.  Let me put it this way, to be able to teach a child how to wash their hands, we could have saved their life.  This statistic of saving thousands of lives will become more and more real to me as we meet people, see faces, learn names, and build friendships.  Pure water and health and hygiene are the bridge we build to close the culture gap in order to share the gospel.  If you have supported EDGE OUTREACH by supporting me financially or in prayer, you are saving lives too.

More to come next week when I return.

"Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; nor the hope of the poor be taken away."
Psalm 9:18