We’re moving forward on all fronts… even more than we’d planned. The house is coming along nicely with the help of friends and neighbors. I’m not sure that the concept of finishing on time applies in this country, but as long as things keep moving in a positive direction we’ll call it success.
Justo and I at the springbox intake for the Catrigandi water system
One surprise has been the lack of running water at home. The neighbors warned me that the water could be intermittent during the dry season. Actually, we have not had water in the tap since arrival. Scarcity is an issue, but politics is playing a heavy hand as well. Not to worry, that means that one of our first projects will be close to home. We’ve already scouted out a new source, and I’ll take flow measurements in the dryest season before designing the small system (about 14 houses) and beginning to seek funding.
Nick and Pablo harvesting rice by hand on the Ortega farm in Piriati Embera
Obviously, we’re anxious to get the house done, but after attending Sunday service in Piriati we received an invitation to help the Ortega family harvest rice. Debating what we should do, Nick pulled out our “quote of the day,” provided in advance by his friend, Laura. The quote, Proverbs 24:27 “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” It was a scorching day in the rice field and a great experience.
I must confess a lack of faith with regard to our baggage situation as Nick’s carry-on surpassed the stated limits by about a foot, but Nick assured me that Jesus loves fiddlin’ and would make him invisible, and now I’m a believer. The fiddle has been a huge hit, this being the first time that any of these folks has ever seen one. Nick even got invited to play at a huge vigil of 2000 indigenous people out in Sambu, Darien. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make that gig, but we continue to enjoy it closer to home.
I don’t have pictures, but Iwanted to share that the introduction of the antique corn sheller was an enormous hit; it probably belongs in the rural Panamanian history books. It was comical to say the least. I’ll share more on that when corn season rolls around.
Hasta pronto,
