One year ago today

I joined Russ and went to Ko'olatano to participate in a handover that Medair was doing with the community there. They had finished the construction of brand new latrines for the elementary school, complete with a hand-washing station. Some of the best work I had seen on Nias.

The new latrines

for this Elementary school.

The hand washing station

They also completed the construction of the gravity flow water system and water tank so that people in the community could easily access clean, fresh water.

The water tank

Laundry time

And because it was Canada Day, I handed out Canada stickers to all the kids, until I ran out. Thanks to Brenda for sending those to me in a care package more than a year earlier!

On this day a year ago, we didn't yet know that we would be leaving Nias Island and Indonesia within 3 weeks, burned out and near break-down. We were so ready to leave. And we are both thankful that Medair encouraged us to leave for our own health and well-being.

Looking back now, we still shudder at some of the memories that flood our minds now and again. We think about how we lived and ask the same question all of you did: "How do you do it??" ....how DID we do it?? Honestly? I don't know. We just did. We had to. We wanted to. And by God's grace we found many moments of joy and fulfillment in it. A recent report back from the Country Director (who should be closing down the last project in Indonesia as we speak), states that Russ' Watsan projects are all still working - going strong. Praise the Lord. It WAS worth it. The blood, sweat and tears (and laughter, joy and unbelievable experience) reaped goodness. I pray that when people use new latrines, wash laundry from a new gravity flow system, get help from a freshly trained nurse in a newly built and furnished health clinic, they will know that Jesus' grace is sufficient, that He will never leave them & that He saves.

I hope I never forget last year's Canada Day in Ko'olatano.

The village of Ko'olatano