Dear Friends,

Today was a very special day in which our entire team traveled by jeep and motor scooters across the countryside, past rich valleys of rice fields and under the canopy of ancient trees. We eventually turned off the pavement to navigate the twists and turns of a dirt road that ultimately turned into an ox cart path that led to the foot of the Chin Mountains. There we arrived at a remote village of about 120 people, the majority being believers, who live in very primitive conditions. They have no electricity, and they all live in simple bamboo huts. Heaven’s Family got involved with them a few years ago with a water project in which we provided a mile and a half of plastic pipe that brings a steady flow of water from a spring in the mountains. The villagers had been walking that distance to gather water after an earthquake ruined their single village well.

We’ve also previously supplied mosquito nets for everyone in the village and funded a village pharmacy. We’re currently helping them install more than a mile of 6-inch water pipe from a mountain stream and build a reservoir by which they will be able to irrigate their fields. That will help the village prosper with a cash crop. We’re also funding the building of a small medical clinic.

The entire village ran out to greet us upon our arrival for a joy-filled reunion. I spent the first few minutes handing out portrait photos that we took of many of the village families last year. They were absolutely delighted to be given the first photos any have ever possessed of their families.

Then we met with everyone in their church (without pews) for some encouragement and exhortation. They gave us the genuine impression that they all really do love the Lord.

After a lunch of rice, chicken and beans, most of our team hiked about a mile up a stream, following the 6-inch pipe Heaven’s Family provided, to see the dam the village men had built that will be the source of their irrigation water. We were amazed at the work that had been done, all with simple hand tools.

One of our team members brought about 75 kid-sized baseball caps, and so we distributed those to all the children, plus some clothing, just before we left the village. It was a fun ending to a wonderful day! — David

Passing out photos from the year before

The oldest man in the village, age 73, admiring a photo of himself and his wife from the year before

Two young mothers sharing a photo

A risky show of public affection

Sharing with the villagers in their church building

A cute villager

Team member Adam Shook in front of a typical house in the village

Hiking to the irrigation source and the start of the 6″ water pipe that has been installed along the valley wall

The result of our initial water project in the village a few years ago

Another cute young villager

Baseball caps for everyone