Mark; My Words

  Leaders of the four communities of Pisabo Azama and members of CODEINSE pose for a photo at the principle reservoir.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. - Psalms 95:2 The four communities of Pisabo Azama celebrated the completion of their new water system on March 18. In total, 300 families now have reliable access to clean spring water at their homes. Working side-by-side, the four communities dug 24 kilometers of pipe and built four new tanks to receive the clean water.  The ceremonial first opening of the spigot at the celebration.  I had a great time at the celebration along with CODEINSE staff, interacting with the community members and congratulating them on all of their hard work to accomplish this achievement. The community sang songs, performed traditional dances, and put on a short skit to explain the work and effort that had been required to access water before the new system was constructed. As w...

Hundreds of community members showed up to assist with the work of protecting the community’s springs. “(The Son of God) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”  - Colossians 1:17-18 With much excitement the mountain community of Pull San Jose has begun construction of its new water system. The community has an existing system that is around 30 years old, but it has some significant shortcomings that prevent the system from being effective for the community, and repairing or rehabilitating the system would be cost-prohibitive. First, the water sources were not protected, allowing for mud to enter the system along with bacteria and other harmful contaminants. Community members have mentioned that diarrhea is prevalent in the community. Second, the system was constructed with polyethylene tubing, which has a te...

Community members in Azama backfill a trench during the construction of the distribution system (photo credit: Chris Visscher)  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:10-11, 13-14 Work is in full swing in the community of Azama. While many construction projects back in my home state of Michigan are shutting down for the winter, working conditions are still favorable here near the equator, just as they are all year round. The Azama project consists of five different neighborhoods that are working together to complete this system. In the end, the system will allow 288 more families to have access to clean water at their homes. The comm...

Community members of San Antonio de Quito backfill a trench after the new distribution system pipe was installed. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. - Hebrews 12:1-2 The construction of the distribution system in San Antonio de Quito is complete! After starting this process over six years ago, it is wonderful to see the community work so hard to get this project finished. The only remaining item to complete is the pump installation, which will hopefully be done in early November, after the electrical connection to the pump house is completed by the local electricity provider. The community has been working for over two months to build the tanks, dig and backfill the trenches, and install the system pipe. I have been in an observational role throughout ...

  The CODEINSE team received hands-on training in well drilling in the community of San Antonio de Quito (photo credit: Leidy Marin) My days in the office have become more and more quiet over the past month. The Visscher family traveled to the United States in the middle of July for much needed rest and relaxation. Likewise, Colombian engineer Leidy Marin traveled to Colombia and is spending time with her family and reviewing potential projects there. The three interns we had from the United States—Arianna, Bryce, and Liu Bo—left the 1st of August to prepare for their fall semesters. Despite the two weeks of protests the country experienced at the end of June, it was a busy June and July. The CODEINSE team attended two system inaugurations, spent the better part of a week learning about well drilling, reviewed three existing systems that are experiencing on-going problems, and construction began on the San Antonio de Quito system. Aside from the busyness of office and field work, ...