The water bottle incident . . .

Thursday 08/16/12

Well, all I can say is that it is comforting to know that other team members have moments too ! 

A water bottle doesn't seem all that important to us here at home in the United States but in Mwandi it is important for us to keep up with them for many reasons.  The water at Simba House is sand filtered and boiled which keeps it safe for drinking.  Even the water from the wells in Mwandi may often need to be boiled as some of the Missionaries refer to it as a bit "brackish".  It is also very easy for us to dehydrate in the Mwandi climate so we are told to keep water with us as at all times.

So the story goes . . .

Whitney and I arrived at the OVC (Orphan's & Vulnerable Children's Center) early this morning before the children began to straggle in.  Whitney placed her book bag and water bottle on the benches under the tree and we walked approximately 150 feet away to speak to a friend.  I just had this feeling that Whitney should at least retrieve her water bottle as one of our little friends made his way toward the tree.  Whitney began to move toward her water bottle and the race was on!  The young man darted for the bottle, grabbed it, and ran behind the tree with Whitney saying "No, that is mine!"  The young man peeked out from behind the tree with a huge grin, removed the cap and enjoyed a big drink of water then disappeared behind the tree again.  The young man then peeked out from behind the tree once more, still smiling, and set the bottle back on the bench and headed off for other adventures.  This young man has a terrible cold and cough at this time.  Well, this water bottle has definately met the end of its usefulness.

No worries . . . as we returned to Simba House Whitney was blessed by "Uncle Eric" with another water bottle.  "Uncle Eric" saved the day !      (So wishing I had gotten a picture of that grin!)

Blessings :)