We spent a good portion of the morning at the water works office. When Zorash came to work this morning she told us that someone was tapping the water line just outside of the fence. Steve and Nazo went out to see who was tapping the line. It was the people from the water works company. In 2010 when the well went dry we went to the water works and asked them if they would bring water to our area of Yendi. They told us that there was no money for buying, digging and laying pipe. They told us that if we wanted to buy the pipe and lay it ourselves they would connect the pipe to the main for us after the work was done. We went to all the neighbors in our area and asked them if they wanted to help with the cost of bringing city water to our area. We told them that we would accept any help whether it was cash or labor in digging and back filling. Mr. Oldman helped us every step of the way and one of our neighbors was able to give 50 Cedis to help with the effort. All the rest were not interested in helping. Water works told us that if we installed the pipe they would not allow anyone to tap the line until they came to us and reimbursed us for installing the pipe. Water works said that they thought 5% for connecting was sufficient. The pipe line would belong to water works and they would maintain it. Water works would get the revenue from selling the water. To date only 4 people have tapped the line; all of them paid the 5%. The problem is the manager has died and the second in command retired. We could not help but thinking of the scripture that talks about Joseph; “A Pharaoh arose that did not know Joseph”. The new manager said he is unaware of any agreement and that we can take it up with their main office. He wanted proof of the agreement but we only had a verbal agreement and lots of receipts. Mr. Oldman went with us but at the end of the discussion there is nothing we can do to recoup the money.
We made 1300 containers of diaper rash ointment today from shea butter. We have to wait for the butter to harden before we can put the caps on it and pack it in boxes. We think putting tops on will be a good job for Mr. Iddrisu when he comes to work tomorrow! Not sure how he will feel about it but it beats hauling gravel!
Steve talked to Francis, one of the evangelists that works in the Nanumba district, and he and Anthony did some campaigning with a group and started 2 new congregations; recorded 95 baptisms. Francis is supposed to come tomorrow and get juice, bread, communion boards and a Bible for each of the churches. We will try to pay them a visit soon.
Thank you for all you do and please remember these “baby” churches in your prayers.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
