Russell and Eileen's Church Missions: SPRINGS AMONG THE SNAKEFRUIT

We spent most of this past week around Jogjakarta (aka Jogja) in Central Java. The main reason for going was to visit the water project near there, which I will address later. We also met with our wheelchair partner (United Cerebral Palsy) and the ophthalmology doctors at Gadjah Mada University with whom our church has two projects. Jogja may be my favorite city to visit on Java. After being in Jakarta, Jogja seems like it is out-in-the-country. Yet back home we would consider it densely populated. One night while we were there Eileen and I sat out by the pool during a rainstorm and just watched the lightning. While the thunder was quite loud it was surprisingly relaxing.

The clean water project that we have in process is located between Jogja and Magelang, up on the side of Mount Merapi. Merapi last erupted in 2010 and created quite a bit of destruction in the process. One consequence of the eruption was the change in water sources. Rivers and springs changed location. In many cases existing water sources dried up and water pipes were broken beyond repair.

Unlike other recent clean water projects here, we are not bringing water down from a single source on a mountainside, fanning out to many distribution points. This project has us taking water from 16 springs to a like amount of villages. Only one of the sources is of sufficient size to warrant a pipe size over 2 inches in diameter. In total, about 11,000 people will be served by this project. (Upon completion the number of recipients was found to be under 7,000). We will bring the water to tanks located in each village from which the villagers will pipe the water directly into their homes. Unlike prior projects where we built bathing, washing and toilet facilities (aka MCK), although originally planned for 38 MCKs, we decided not to build them after a review of MCK utilization in past projects.

The villagers provide almost all the labor, digging all the trenches, hauling building materials and mixing cement. After project completion, a committee of the village leaders will manage the water system. They will collect fees from the users (on average about 50 cents per month per household) and maintain water collection dams, pipes and tanks. Cooperation from the villagers has been very good and they are appreciative. Not having running water for a couple years can do that to you.

KOKO, OUR 70+ YEAR OLD ENGINEER

This area near Magelang is known for its Salak plantations. Salak (aka Snakefruit, the skin looks like snake scales) grows at the base of large palm-like plants. Unfortunately for those who get close, the plants are covered with long, sharp thorns. Yes, this Elder has found out the hard way.

DIGGING TRENCHES DURING THE RAINY SEASON IS NOT FUN
BUT THE VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN VERY WILLING TO HELP

SALAK THORNS AND FRUIT

RUSSELL AMONG THE SNAKEFRUIT

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE, RICE FIELD AMOUNG THE SALAK

THAT'S A MAN DOWN THERE IN THE RIVERBED.
THERE IS A SPRING AT THE BASE OF THE CEMENT
WALL THAT IS NOW COVERED BY SEVERAL FEET OF
SAND. WE GOT IT CONTAINED AND PIPED JUST THREE DAYS
BEFORE THE RIVER BED FLOODED.