My Story in 4 Minutes

Last Weeks in Lodwar

Sorry guys its been awhile since I have posted. Here is what I did during my last few weeks in Lodwar:

July 12th: Today we got a late start out to the bush. We arrived late afternoon and crossed the river to our site.

July 13th: Today we installed the 4" casing for the well. We are currently pumping it and then we will pour the base. Today also turned into an exciting day as Drew and I got to go along on a hyena hunt. It was the most ugly creature I have ever seen.

July 14th: Today we packed up and move all our gear to Chocachoc.

July 15th: Today we dug four wells and started a fifth. We are planning on hopefully finishing it tommorrow. If not we will continue to dig until we hit water.

July 16th: Today we woke up to a man who brought all his collections of engraved sticks to sell to drew and I. I ended up buying only one and his hat. Drew ended up buying 6 Bows. We ended up moving to out 6th drill site. It has been slow porgress but progress.

July 17th: This morning Drew and I woke up and started preparing for our lesson for church tomorrow. We ended up moving our drill site yet again to site number 7. So far it has been sand and a little gravel. I am praying this will be the one.

July 18th: This morning Drew and I got the privledge of speaking at church. We spoke using the parable John 10: 1-16. after church we left the drill crew to go to the nakor house to meet a church group that came for a week.

July 19th: Last night drew and I were asked to participate in a VBS skit using Turkana. The VBS went very good and I cannot wait until tomorrow to go it again.

July 20th: Our second VBS went good. We ended up doing it at a school. After doing the VBS we left to head back to the house.

July 21st: Today we ended up going back to chocachoc to put in the pump we finished last week. Drew and I said our goodbyes to the crew and we all left back to Lodwar.

July 22nd: Today we saw the church group off at the airport. After that we went back to the house and started to pack =(

July 23rd: Lake Day!! Today the leadership group took us to the lake. It ended up being a cloudy day so the water was a little cold but still amazing none the less. It even ended up raining in Lodwar while we were gone.

July 24th: The usual saturday morning meeting went good. After lunch we went with Morris to find some firstones (Tire shoes). After that we were invited to go to a Uganda verses Turkana Soccer game. It was really cool.

July 25th: Today we climbed Mt. Lodwar. We ended up being late to church. However everyone excused us and we were able to say our goodbyes.

July 26th: Today we flew out of Lodwar. We almost missed our flight. It was really rushed good byes but still sad to leave. As we headed down country it got a lot greener.

July 27th: Today we got to go on a safari before leaving to go to the airport. The safari went really well as we were able to follow 6 lions around the park for a few hours.

July 28th: Through I missed a flight I still was able to make it back to the U.S.A.

This journey has been one I will never forget. Through my many experiences this summer I have learned a lot and grown in my walk with God. Thank you for all the support and Prayers this Summer!!

Drilling: Sand, Mud, Rocks Nothing Can Stop Us!

Ahh the home stretch!! Just a few more weeks until I head back to the states! However my work here is not done!! These past couple of weeks have tried me in ways that are cannot be explained. Here is my day by day:

June 28th: Today we headed out to meet the drilling crew. We helped assist them clearing a well using a gas pump before making camp and staying the night on site.

June 29th: Today we were suppose to move but were delayed due to pump testing other well sites. Last night was very windy and sand was blowing everywhere.

June 30th: Today we had to reinstall the hand at Amorett four times because of several issues it was having. Drew killed our celbration goat for the well tonight. it was very interesting to see how they clean the goat. I helped prepare it but ended up not being ablt to eat much.

July 1st: Today we did work drilling. We dug 22 feet down and have about 12 feet of water. This is a huge blessing because the locals are going to use this pump as a farm and need a lot of water for a solar.

July 2nd: Today on our way back to town we installed a hand pump. When I got back into town I recieved some very sad news. My best friend's sister had killed herself. This broke me down completly. I was able to call Joel (My best friend) and was able to talk to him for a little while. I just ask for everyone to keep him and his family as well as Sara (The sister)'s boy friend and my friend Timmy in their prayers.

July 3rd: Last night was a rough night sleeping. Today we had our usually team meeting and drew and I watched movies the rest of the day =D

July 4th: Happy 4th of July!!!! Today we went to church then afterwards one of the guys here John took us to a local place for some roasted Goat. It was the best goat drew and I have ever had thus far!

July 5th: Today we head back out to the bush. Once we got there we enjoyed another goat roast! (The crew gets one every time they finish a well) Then we headed off to our next drill site.

July 6th: Our next site is across a river. So we carried oour stuff along with some locals across and set up camp.

July 7th: Today when we were working the casing for the well ended up getting stuck so we had to pull it out and start a new well. However this afternoon drew and I bought a Sheep for the World Cup on Sunday!!

July 8th: Today was basically market day at the drill site as drew and I looked at local spears and bought some.

July 9th: I woke up early and had a sense to write some things down that were giving me troubles. I found the words to write about Sara in my journal. I feel a sense of peace around me as White butterflies have started to appear within the last week or so..

July 10th: Today is another meeting day. I got to go to the bank with Eric this morning and well that was an experience... It takes a long time.. Drew and I ended up having dinner with Lynn another CMF Missionary here and celebrated the 4th of July by watching Independence Day! It was indeed a good time.

July 11th: World Cup Day!!! Today Drew and I prepare as we host a sheep roast/ party for the World Cup tonight!! In writing this We have just completed our Roast and are now relaxing and waiting for the game to start!

For the rest of the time while I am here I leave for the Bush tommorrow the 12th and return to town the 21st. Once back in town the leadership team is taking Drew and I to the Lake one day, We have made plans to climb Mt. Lodwar, Drew and I fly out of Lodwar the 26th, Spend the night in Nairobi and then the following day take a safari through the game park then board a plan at night and head back to the states!!! I love and miss you all!! I hope this update finds you in good health!!

More Sand than You can Imagine..

These past few weeks have been amazing!! Drew and I have spent time putting up solar panels for farms as well have assisted in some drilling with the crew. Last week a group came from Rolla, MO. Scott, Chris, Gary and Nick these guys truly were fired up for water projects. They defiantly helped refuel my tank for the coming weeks. This week we start working with the drill crew full time during the weeks. So far this year they have drilled 17 wells!! That’s amazing considering all the work it takes for just one well.

Drew and I are about halfway done with our time here and its quite amazing to see the time fly by. Looking back at some of the pictures I have taken it seems just like yesterday Drew and I came off the plane in another world… Jut a reminder we are basically in the middle of a desert. So far I have seen a Scorpion, camels, goats, sheep, chickens, desert zebra (Donkeys), some cows.

This is what I have been doing since my last update:

June 14^th: Today we packed up our truck and headed three hours outside of town to a village called Kangageti. This is where we set up base came for our week of work.

June 15^th: We headed out bright ad early for another village called Loupwala. There we put up a solar panel and tested the pump. We did not install the pump due to the beneficiaries did not complete the clearing of the land. (They have to do this before they get a solar pump. It is apart of the step-by-step plan to help create a sense of ownership.

June 16^th: My Mom’s Birthday!! Today was a stressful day, as we had to carry all our things across a river to set up another solar at a village called Kitepi. We ended up carrying everything across the river due to it being a market day in the local village.

June 17^th: We packed up and headed back to town in preparation for the church group coming the next day.

June 18^th: The morning was spent relaxing and preparing to meet the church group. When the church group came in we all went out to lunch. After that we took a tour of the near by farms (within an hour of town) that had been established early. This was to help create a sense of focus for the group.

June 19^th: Today is a Saturday so that means team building/meeting in the morning. After that we packed up the two trucks and headed out to Nakor. Once arriving there we set up camp at Gene’s old place of residence (he lived there for 12 years).

June 20^th: Today we headed across river to a church that Gene had never been to at Nakoret. They were very welcoming and very hospitable. Some even came down to help lead us across. After church we went and saw the drill site where we would come help the following day.

June 21^st: Today we headed across the river to the drill site and helped them drill and try to clear the water using a gas pump. We spent all day helping the crew do various activities.

June 22^nd: Drew and I separated from the church group to go help move the drill crew back across the river to a new site. Once this was done we met back up with the group and installed the solar pump at Loupwala. After that was completed we had our daily devotional everyday and then went and saw one of the health clinics in another village.

June 23^rd: Today we went around and set concrete bases for some wells and visited a local school. Drew really got involved with the children dancing and teaching them some new moves.

June 24^th: Today we packed up the trucks and headed back to Lodwar after installing a hand pump at one of the wells we had set a base for. After returning to Lodwar the group from Rolla went shopping for local things and then came back and packed.

June 25^th: The group flies out today. The morning we spent restfully and we took the guys to the airport to see them off. After they had left Drew and I headed back to Gene’s house to help stain a building.

June 26^th: Meeting day!! Today we had our weekly team meeting and then continued to stain the building we had started on the day earlier.

June 27^th: Today we slept in a little and went to church then came back and helped Gene do the various projects he needed to do before leaving tomorrow.

Tomorrow Drew and I head out the bush to join the drilling crew. I ask for prayer that Drew and I will be able to over come any sickness or problem that comes across our way. Please pray for protection while we are working and pray for the hearts of those around us that our words will be encouraging words and not words of doubt or argument.

Since I have Left...

Here is a better day-by-day summary of what I have been doing since I left Illinois.

May 26^th- 31: Pre-Departure Orientation. I spent a week in Indianapolis getting to know the group of interns for the summer. Everyone is great and we’re really welcoming. I met Drew my partner for the summer for the first time. He is a really good guy and I am stoked to get to know him better this summer.

June 1^st: The day we’re head off to Africa. Problems started before we even got checked in… The plane was delayed so we wouldn’t make our connecting flight in D.C. on time to get to London. Anyways we got on a plane to D.C.

June 2^nd; Had a nice layover in D.C. got to go downtown and see the sights like the White House, Washington Monument and Lincoln Monument. Caught a late Flight to London.

June 3^rd; Had another nice layover in London. However while trying to get money an ATM ate my only working credit card. That issue was resolved though and I have another being sent to me. While in London we got to see Big Ben, The London Eye and Buckingham Palace. Caught another late night flight to Kenya.

June 4^th; After arriving in Nairobi Drew and I separated from the group and caught a domestic flight up to Lodwar. After finally arriving in Lodwar we were met by Eric and Salvestor from CMF. They took us out to lunch and I quickly became accustomed to the food here. Eric ordered for me fried goat and it was not bad just the random bone parts had to be picked through. After Lunch we went back and got a small Language class before preparing for the next day.

June 5^th – 8^th; Drew and I were assigned different host family homes in Lodwar as part of experiencing the culture and learning the language. I stayed with Samson Losuru and his wife Mary and their kids; Polo, Jeffery, Kelvin and Cyrus. They were very nice and welcoming to me. The first day I was with Samson I went with him to his brothers wife’s baby shower out in the bush by motorcycle. I was asked to share my testimony and there was a lady there who helped translate it. It was a very memorable experience. I ate more Goat, tried some intestines, heart, and some other parts of the Goat. However I survived. I went to church with them on Sunday morning and though it was long I really enjoyed it.

June 8^th- 10^th; Drew and I headed out about an hour or so to another host family for another couple days to learn the culture and the language. I stayed with Daniel and his wife Nahsuru with their three boys; Jackson, Edrick and Yeshua. They were very hospitable and Nahsuru was a great cook. They always gave me more than I could eat at both houses. I am learning the phrase “emono” which mean full in Turkana.

June 10th-13th; Gene my Host missionary arrived in Lodwar along with his friend Jim. I have been staying at his house these past couple of days. Gene’s heart is truly in the right place and is a man of God. I feel honored to be around him. He is teaching so much and providing the Turkana with so much through wells and teaching them how to farm.

Tomorrow Drew and I head out with John to put up solar panels at one of the sites located about three hours out of town. We will be living in the bush for a week then arriving back in Lodwar for the weekend

then going to start digging a new well. =D

From Africa with Love,

Josh

Laughing, Loving and Pointing (My first week in Lodwar)

Hey all!!! I hope all is going well where ever you may be. I arrived in Lodwar last Friday and since then have been involved in an intense language program. Aka I've been living with two host families each for a period of around three days. It is amazing how Americans live compared to the turkana. They litterally live on less than two dollars a day. I thank god every day for this opportunity that he has given me. I offically start work Next week putting in solar panels for a pump that will provide water for a farm plot that will help feed the Turkana people. I have eaten quite a few different things while being here including about EVERY part on a goat. I hope to add more as the weeks go by. I hope you all have a safe and fruitful summer where ever you may be.

Another Teams Story

Here is a link to another team that went to Kenya and their stories: Their Story

Pictures

Here are some pictures of where I will be and some of the things I will be doing while in Africa:

Clean Water Wells

Gardens

Laying Irrigation Lines

Turkana Homes

Support

Hey Guys!

I just found out that I am about 50% complete with my fund raising. If you would like to help support my efforts you can do so by going to www.cmfi.org/reach 2) Click on Support Your Intern 3) Follow steps and write in my name under "missionary to be supported" Even if you can only give a dollar every bit helps!! However If you would just simple keep the people of Kenya and myself in your prayers. I would like to Sincerely ask that you start to pray for rain for Kenya. Thanks!!!!

My Story

Dear Friends and Family,

A little over a year ago, my home church started a clean water campaign to help spread the word to our congregation about clean water projects. This really spoke to my heart and continues to do so. Since then, I have felt the Lord leading me in several ways. I recently worked at a summer camp called JH Ranch in California and it was there that the Lord spoke to me and gave me direction about my future. During my time at the ranch I had several people pray for me. Through prayer I felt the Lord calling me to Africa to serve as a missionary there. During my first semester at college, I was offered a chance to run my own paint crew and make a good salary this summer; however, I felt God was calling me to something more, so I turned the job opportunity down.

Through a series of events, I began to see God’s will playing out in my life. I met someone from Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF) International who told me about their summer REACH internship program which was focusing on clean water projects. I immediately felt that this was what God was leading me towards. I am happy to share with you that I have been accepted as a REACH intern to work in the Turkana District of Kenya, Africa. This opportunity to serve through CMF is truly something that God started over a year ago. I will be teaming up with one other intern and we will be working alongside Kenyan nationals and CMF missionaries doing water projects and sharing the gospel to the Turkana people.

Water for agricultural purposes is one of its most important uses. In parts of the world (like Kenya), people do not have the knowledge or resources to irrigate their land and provide food for their families. I will be spending two months digging wells to help the people of Turkana finally have access to water which is such a necessity in this desert region. Not only that, but I will help to educate them on how to use their water and keep it clean. I believe it is a blessing that I am able to partner with CMF to serve the Lord in Africa.

It is my personal goal this summer to help as many people in need as I can through providing clean water while sharing the love of Jesus Christ. I am asking you to help partner with CMF International and me to help make a difference in this global issue of water.