Yesterday, my team member, our driver, our translator and two CP's went to a village for a short visit to help with their water problem. The only source of water this poor farming village has is an open well that is probably 50 to 100 years old. This is a common problem in the villages here. The water is OK for washing, but it is also their source of drinking water, which is not OK. Many more wealthy villages have hand pumps for each home. Last year, a church team came through and did some surveying of villages that they could help with their water problem. They donated money and told us to handle putting the hand pump in for this village. This helps them, and also opens a door for the local CP to visit frequently and share the Gospel with the people.
We wanted to meet the village leader, but he was not there. As we waited, we were all offered some home-made lemonade to cool off. 1st warning- One of the ladies comes in with a well bucket full of water. She then goes and begins to mix fresh lemons and sugar with the water for us to drink. (little voice is saying "caution") 2ND WARNING- She brings out a couple glasses for us, and we are to drink and give back so it can be refilled for the next person. The glasses were not clear, probably to hide the fact that the water was not all that clear. (little voice getting louder - "politely refuse it if offered") They offered, which I politely refused. One refusal is not enough here. You must say no 3 times for them to leave you be. I looked at our driver, who calmly gulped the water down. (little voice is saying "he's from here, you're not. Just say NO"). The little voice lost. I couldn't turn it down. I gulped it down, (Lord I'll put it down if you keep it down -or IN) as did the wife of my team member and the CP's and our translator. (little voice says "I warned ya! You're on your own dude!")
Then we walked out to take a look at where would be a good place to put the hand pump in the village. As we walked, we saw the open well they used. We looked down inside. A nice film covered the water. WARNING 3- My team member leans over to me (who, by the way has learned listen to his little voice and did not partake) and says "Dude, you probably didn't want to see that is what you drank." I'm a little nervous now. 4th AND FINAL WARNING- Our translator walks up beside me, looks in the well and says to me in a shocked/concerned voice, "We drank this water?" UH-OH. Out came a nervous laugh. After we got in the car, we prayed that none of us would get sick. Well, live and learn. Pray with us that we don't get too sick!
This whole journey is an adventure. If you can't have fun on an adventure, it gets boring or you get bitter.
2 comments:
Ok, dude, that just a little more fun than I want on my adventure! For goodness sake, listen to the little voice next time!!! I sure will be praying for you on this one!
In our context, you did the right thing. The worse thing one can do here is turn down any kind of gift that is offered--especially food or drink. By rejecting their humble offerings the message they get is what they have is not 'good enough' for the foreigner and an automatic barrier is raised to our presence and message. The whole Luke 10, 'eat what is set before you'...eating and drinking is a HUGE cultural thing.
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