Friday’s water conference ended, dinner was served and piled high and a feeling of accomplishment, team vision and friendship permeated table discussions amongst the Salvation Army staff, Red Cross of Costa Rica and EDGE OUTREACH.
The day had been long and even longer for some. One participant left their home at 4AM traveling almost 5 hours to the meeting. The EDGE water purification presentation and hands-on training was forced into one day. Usually done in 2 days, translation added an even more time consuming element. Sometimes you simply have to work with what you got. What’s more, both organizations came with real time water problems and projects. But these ideas were given a fresh perspective as the water conference lay out new information and lots of lively discussion promoted the 2 words of the day – Simplicity and Adaptability.
If you called Pastor Angel Beremo, the answering machine at the church would say, “This is the ICBE church and EDGE OUTREACH Costa Rica.” Angel has been EDGE’s Costa Rican heart since 2007 checking on previous water projects, building relationships, hosting yearly water conferences and scouting more water work to do throughout the country. But, things are quickly changing. It’s Monday morning now and there’s been a group of church members of all ages volunteering diligently on the new bathrooms since last Thursday.
Danilo, just arrived after working all night at another construction site. Volunteerism is not a popular practice in this culture but the church people are passionate about their roll here next to a large slum with daily feeding programs for children and much love to give. It’s also passionate about its partnership with EDGE OUTREACH to save lives with water.
Myself, Dave Westridge (EDGE St. Louis) and Kurtis Daniels, EDGE staff are working together with the construction foreman and pastor to decide on a good plan for the campus so that soon teams of 30 to 40 people can use it as a base of operation. In the months ahead, this will prove to be EDGE’s water training and sending base not just for Costa Rica but for conferences and outreach efforts with water that will impact all of Central America.
The sun is shining bright this morning. The view of the mountains behind the church is pristine.
Mark Hogg
