You got it...Jungle Book. This song was in my head almost constantly for 3 days while we were in Africa.
I mentioned a couple African posts ago that the way our trip was designed by Vernon was that he wanted us to REALLY experience life as a widow running an orphanage in Sudan. So we lived beside them for 3 days, helping them with every bit of their daily responsibilities.
WELL...one of those daily responsibilities is (or I should say 3 TIMES daily) is fetching water from their water hole that is about 1/2 mile away from the orphanage. No big deal, right? WRONG. It was by far the hardest physical thing I have ever done and I didn't even have to walk the 1/2 mile back to the orphanage. I just had to walk the water back about 50 yards to a truck that we brought that was parked with 3 giant metal drums that we poured the water in.
Their water hole.
The road they walk from the orphanage to the water hole.
Carrying the 5 gallon jugs of water! The hardest thing I have ever done! That's a fake smile.
This is what my feet and skirt looked like after fetching the water. The amazing thing is, the widows don't have a drop of mud on them after doing this.
This video is about 2 1/2 minutes long and it shows almost exactly what we had to do to fetch the water. It is of my husband carrying the water from the water hole to the truck. The only difference was usually we were carrying TWO 5 gallon jugs instead of one. They weighed about 20 - 25 lbs each.
Sudan - Fetching water from the water hole from Janelle on Vimeo.
The first time I fetched the water, I truly thought my body was not capable of doing it. I was going to give up, but Vernon really made me push myself and kept telling me, "You have no idea what your body is capable of doing." In other words, the precious ladies in Africa do so much that is so strenuous on their bodies. And even though some of the ridiculously strength enduring things they have to do seem impossible to me, they do it because they must for survivor. They are amazing!! And my hands were definitely bruised the next day, but it was a good reminder for me to be SO grateful for what I have.
My hands have never been bruised by turning on the faucet in my own home! It's all about perspective.
I miss those ladies so much!
10 comments:
Janelle... thank you so much for sharing this. I just took a moment to thank God for the strength he gives the widows and for my water faucet. What a different life we live.
I just love your heart, Janelle! Praying for those dear ones and for you and Bible study this week. Also, I pray you will have opportunities to go back some day.
Love,
Holly
wow...it makes you appreciate what we have.
I second the WOW! i don't think I could do it! Those precious ladies!
My goodness! I can't believe they do that everyday. We really just don't realize all that over here...
thank you for bringing these eye opening stories to blogworld! I have so enjoyed reading them!
Ok, wow. I will think about this everytime I go to my FRIDGE to grab a bottled water. The things I take for granted!
This was by far my favorite Africa post! I CANNOT believe they do this everyday. Oh boy, we take so much for granted!
Linds
P.S. Yes, I am LOVING the Kay Arthur study. It is taking some time to get used to the format, but it has brought out some great things and GREAT conversations with the girls! :) I bet the Genesis one is amazing. I love Genesis!
Wow! This is so amazing! Thank you for sharing. The simple things I take for granted...
Wow. I'm left speechless.
Nell :--)
Love the fake smile!!! ;) What a day!!! I'm glad you also showed us your feet after your trip! Turning on the faucet at home has a whole new meaning! ;)
Post a Comment