June 29, 2009

Hi To our Friends and Family of Living Waters.

Time seems to evaporate and it is very important that our loyal friends know exactly what is going on at this time. I know you did not receive a final update from our May trip, however, we have been working fast to bring you the most current information.

Four months ago unknown to us (until May) the wind mill water delivery system became dysfunctional and we were unable to get the technician to travel across the country to fix it. Upon this discovery, we decided on a long term solution to hopefully end the ongoing water issues. Two wells (bore holes) had been drilled on the island and fresh clean water was found at 60 feet. So our decision was to put a well on the compound to have secure water for the feeding center and the 2 1//2 acre garden.

The quotes for a well were cost-prohibitive until we were put in touch with an American well driller who does wells in East Africa as a ministry. His drill rig is currently within 80 miles of Kaswanga. He said if we could drill in early July before he moved the equipment to northern Kenya he would give us a substantially discounted rate. Art Davis is highly recommended by our very close friend who has known him for 20 years. God has led in many miracles to make this happen, but long story short is he will start drilling July 7. His cost is 37 percent of the original quotes we received.

I leave July 5 so I can be onsite for the drilling and pump installation. We will then hook up the water to the large water tanks we built in May. We will have 13,750 gallons of water storage on the compound.

We have an urgent need to help finance the well and solar pump. The total cost of this project should be right at $15,000.

God has worked miracles for us to move forward and get this well in place and we are convinced on His leading. Now we need to ask our donors to please pray for God impress those who are able to help, and then respond as quickly as possible. We have raised $3000 of what is needed and we are going on faith. Please help us fulfill this urgent request if you are able to.

The feeding center is feeding 135 children a day and we have had to buy water transported from the lake on donkeys. This is very expensive and will quickly deplete our financial reserves. With the well in place and the extra gardens growing we should be able to grow approximately 80 percent of what it takes to feed all 200 of the orphaned children of Kaswanga.

Please help both financially if you can and by all means prayerfully. We ask everyone to pray on July 7 to 9 that we reach a good supply of clean water at less than 100 feet. We need this urgent prayer every bit as much as financial assistance.

May God bless you all. Mary Jo will send you an update by July 9th on the drilling progress.