A New Year

Sun, Rain and Mud

It’s a beautiful sunny morning in southern Ethiopia, with the temperature hovering around 75 degrees.  But lately the clouds have been rolling in late in the day, bringing rain, so we have been unable to get to the drilling equipment 2 miles off a dirt road, over farmers’ fields that are now too muddy to cross.  Then we hear of the storms and snow in the Pacific Northwest, and count our blessings!

Wells, Sea Level to 11,000 Feet

We have been busy drilling in Haiti (both mainland and the island of La Gonave) and Ethiopia.  We were blessed with a good season in Haiti; a total of 52 wells last year, most of them good.  Ethiopia has been more of a challenge, with us camping and drilling in the hills up to 11,000 feet above sea level.  Most wells there were dry, so we moved to another area, where we are now drilling, and most of these wells are good.  But right now we are waiting for a letup in the “short rain” so we can continue. We hope to be here another two months, until “long rains” sweep back across East Africa for a few months.  At that time we will return to Haiti after a break in the Seattle area.

South Sudan

A quick update on South Sudan:  the drilling machine and support truck have arrived there and been licensed, ready to go to work, but the container of supplies and tools has been delayed.  With the recent outbreak of violence, Healing Hands had the equipment taken across the border to Uganda for safekeeping.  Mary and I may go check on it soon, depending on how the situation unfolds.

Solomon and Demozy Working on Site

Good Men

Our Ethiopian crew, Nigusse, Solomon and Demozy, have been taking over more of the responsibilities for the water project, including handling all the finances, well reports, and are doing more of the drilling.  They are capable, good men, and we are fortunate to work with them.

Blessed

As Mary and look back over our 44 years of marriage, we are constantly amazed at how God has truly blessed us, with great kids and grandkids, friends and co-workers all around the world.  We think of women’s Bible studies led by Jan luurs, my sisters Carol and Edna who update their quilting and Sunday School contacts so they know how to better pray for us, to John Ed and his church who remember us, to Lowell Yoder who calls in our name to his Christian radio station for prayer, to Don who has given up his time to come and help supervise maintenance on equipment, to Bob McDowell who remembers us even while he is on a missions trip to Mexico, to Jim who rebuilt our old house, to Kevin who replaced the engine on an old rig, Steve who gave us a rig freely, to Joseph who finds parts I need without complaining, to George in Kenya who writes to encourage us, and on and on… there are literally hundreds of you; I wish I could mention everyone of you by name, but there are too many to write here; we say thank you again, from us, and from the thousands who this very day are drinking clean water because of you.  We are only one part of this work, without your prayers and support we could not continue.

God bless you all,

 

Curt & Mary King
Southern Ethiopia
February 2014

Where in the World?

Familiar and Foreign– Where Are We?

As I sit in this guest house in Addis Ababa, the sun is going down, I am struck by the mix  of familiarity and foreign-ness (if there is such a word).  I am writing with a Macbook, with a US  food show on the tv with Arabic subtitles.  A little later “Arabs Got Talent” will be on.  In the background I hear the melodic droning and chanting of an Ethiopian Orthodox priest in the ancient Ge’ez language.  I have been packing the supplies we bought around town today, most of the food is from countries other than the US, but many attempt to mimic western food {O2 instead of Oreos). Then there is Eliana Ethiopian coffee marketed by “Tar Trading”.

Mary and I are back in East Africa after a Christmas break in Seattle.  Before we left, we were able to complete 16 wells.  We spent much of our time waiting for paperwork, site selection, etc., and when we actually got down to drilling, we completed the 16 wells in 16 work days.   We are now back to do another 21 wells in this contract, then the crew will install the pumps, and hopefully we will be able to start on more wells before the long rains come to this part of the world.

Working Together 2012 and Haiti Update

We spent from April to October in Haiti in 2012.  We spent much of our time  waiting for parts and doing maintenance and repair to the equipment, but were able to drill  31 wells, thank the Lord.  Mary divided her time in the Burn Clinic, and in the field with me.  She is a constant source of joy and encouragement to those around her.

By Faith

As we start out this new  year, we realize again that we must continue to place our future in His hands.  We make plans as best we humanly can to best use our resources and talents, but at the end of the day, or rather at the beginning of  the day, we place our resources, plans and talents, along with our fears, uncertainties, anxieties, and frailties on the alter of His will.  We must, must, must live by faith and , especially when the road ahead seems dark and  confusing, we either go by faith, or buy a ticket home.  In my mind, there is no other option for continuing on this Christian walk.  And what an exciting life it is…

Our Thanks

Thanks again for your continuing prayers and support, we couldn’t continue without them.

 

Curt & Mary King
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
January 17, 2013

Looking Forward – Sudan

Sudan

As we look forward to the future, we are excited about a new work we are starting.  Recently we
looked at about 12 used rigs, and finally chose one, and purchased it.
We are looking at South Sudan, which became a new country this past July.  They have been though a horrible war in which as many as 2 million may have died.  Now many refugees are
returning, and the need for water is severe.

There are many uncertainties and dangers with this project.  Land mines were planted in vast areas, there are still skirmishes, we will have to find and train new people, shipping equipment and supplies involves shipping to Mombasa, and seven days overland.  Mary and I plan to stay on a new school/clinic compound in Parajok, a small town near the border with Uganda.  Fuel may be difficult to purchase, the roads may not be good, we don’t have a house or storage facilities. It is about a 7 hour drive to the capital city and international airport.  Mary will have to find a place to buy food supplies, especially the ingredients for our traditional Saturday night pizza and dvd date night! Many things we just cannot figure out until we actually “put our feet in the water.”

Mary and I ask for your prayers as we look ahead.  At our age, you mighty think we are beginning to map out our retirement, Medicare benefits, buying that big ol’ recliner and big screen tv, and winding down our work.  But that’s not what God has in mind for us.  It is shaping up to be the biggest challenge of our water-related work, on so many levels.  So to be honest, while we are excited about it, we do have fears.  Just so many unknowns…  But isn’t that the way we are supposed to live as Christians, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight!  What an exciting
place to be, guess that big ol’ easy chair will just have to wait a little longer!

If you have any interest in being involved in this work, let me know.

-Curt King

Dec. 2011

 

From Healing Hands International

Record Number of Wells Drilled in 2011
Your dedication to bring clean water to the world has paid off.
Because of the support of people like you, HHI was able to drill more than 100 community wells in 2011. We are estimating that close to 500,000 people will receive access to clean drinking water in 2011 and 2012.

On the heels of this exciting accomplishment, we are thrilled to
announce that our water well program is expanding to South Sudan in 2012. Check out the rig we will be sending to South Sudan at www.hhi.org.

Haiti Update – September 2011

I’m sitting here tonight in our little trailer, in a beautiful field, looking across the water watching the lights of Port au Prince and Carrefou.  The rain came this afternoon as we were starting a well on top of a hill for a beautiful orphanage. The rain was hard, but that wasn’t what stopped me, after all, I drilled wells in Washington State.  But thunder and lightening puts on the brakes for me!  So tonight after a hard rain, the lights are bright and clear.  What a beautiful sight.  It would be so peaceful and calm in my mind except I know the streets of downtown Port au Prince and Carrefou. Along the main street near the waterfront of Cite Soliel, in places the garbage is in piles, the smell of the mass marketplace is the smell of poverty in this city.  The lights high up on the hill are probably more of the wealthier people, who most likely have nice bathrooms, running water and cleaner streets.  Like I have here in the travel trailer.

Tonight, my heart goes out to those who are suffering from the flooding that all too often happens in the poor part of town.  I pray to my God, please bring relief to someone who may be, at this moment, cold, dirty and feeling so helpless.  Please bring them some safety so they can sleep at least a little.

And one more request, Lord, please show me the right places to drill for water. So far, this week, all four wells were dry.

Curt King
Ti Tanyin, Haiti
September 8, 2011

—————

Thank you for your prayers and concern.  The news is good this weekend; only one bad well, a few hours and a lot of sweat digging the support truck out of a mudhole and a possible broken finger., but at the end of the week there are 3 good wells; one for an orphanage and 2 very needy communities in the hills of Haiti!!

I’ve delayed my return to Seattle for a few more days in hopes of getting a couple more wells done. Thanks again.

Curt King
Ti Tanyin, Haiti
September 17, 2011

Haiti Update – July

It’s a warm, drizzly evening here at the hotel in Port au Prince.  Unless one is a soccer fan, there isn’t much to watch on local TV tonight.  We left La Gonave early July after finishing the drilling season with Guts Church, and now we are based here in the capitol.

Mary and I spent a week here together, then she flew to Seattle to await the birth of grandchild number seven.  I will be joining her tomorrow night for one week at home.  I hope the baby works with our schedule as she is due July 14th.  It’s such an exciting time in the life of a family, and we are celebrating with our son Kevin and his wife Deborah!

The count for La Gonave was a total of 5522 feet of drilling to complete 23 wells, of which 10 were good.  Although the dry holes were disappointing, we are thankful for the 10 new sources of fresh water for such a needy island.  It’s hard to describe the difficulty of working there; the roads, the heat, the poverty… but we had some very good people to work with, some very gracious communities that fed us and gave us Pepsi and fresh coconut milk.  Mary and I feel pretty beat-up after driving so many miles on rough roads, but also thankful for the opportunity to help.

In a very real way, we thank those of you who remembered us in your prayers.  On June 25th we finished  a 300 foot dry hole in the small town of Zeb Guinea.  It was discouraging, as it was such a hot, thirsty little village at the end of a really terrible road (we used 4 wheel drive on dry rocks part of the way).  The Guts Church men who came to help had gone home, so Mary was driving the support truck loaded with supplies, and about 800 gallons of water and diesel fuel. As she was going in front of me, at a narrow place in the “road”, I saw a big rock suddenly give way and the truck tip dangerously off the side of the road, with a steep ravine below.  I immediately helped her out of the truck, then wrapped a winch line from the rig around the truck to stabilize it.  We unloaded all the water and fuel, and eventually had Haitians help us dig a path in the side of the ravine so I was able to drive it out and back onto the road.  A close call, and thankfully no one was hurt, as many of us were under the truck digging. It’s times like this I think of many of you who tell us you pray regularly for us.  God was listening that day, and He protected Mary.  God also gave her the strength and peace to get back into the truck and drive it out of the mountains and back to the mission compound.

We expect to be back in Haiti the last week of July to continue drilling mainly around the Port au Prince area until sometime in September.

God bless you all.

Curt and Mary King
Seattle and Port au Prince
July 13, 2011

 

Mila Eleanor King was born Sunday, July 17th to Kevin and Deborah. Congratulations to all.

Rains, Wells, Wireless and Prayer…Haiti Update

Heavy Rains

We are back in the land of occasional wireless communication, the Habitation Hotel in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  We have been on the little island of La Gonave, Haiti for the last month, and just came over yesterday afternoon, to spend a week working in this area.  We did not expect this break, but heavy rains and the forecast for more made work impossible, so we have taken a week to wait it out.

18 Wells Drilled

Mary and I flew over to La Gonave with Wes Young on May 4th, and immediately got things running.  After 2 weeks Wes left, and Rick Jenkinson came for 2 weeks, followed by Cary Carlisle, Lonny Murphy
and photograper Justin Greiman.  Because of the hard work of these men, we have been able to complete 18 wells, of which 8 are good. The rig is now parked at a Nazarene church high in the center of La Gonave.  Any rain at all and parts of the roads turn into bobsled rides.  After a dangerous ride Wednesday, I decided we must stop till things dry out.

“They Prayed for Us”

So, here we are in Port, doing other work, and taking a little time to relax.  The prayer of a man at a recent well site is bouncing around in my head.  After drilling two dry holes at the Mon Repos Nazarene church, we decided to give it one more try, and as he prayed before we started, he prayed that we would not become discouraged… imagine that, they had been so hopeful that we would find water for their community, and yet they were looking to us and praying for us!  I pray my life might be like that, in the times when I could become dismayed over some problem, Lord please help me to encourage someone around me.

And we did find water in that well!

 

Curt and Mary King
Port au Prince, Haiti
June 4, 2011

 

Note: Curt and Mary are back to La Gonave after doing some repairs on the HHI rig in Port-au-Prince.  They will continue drilling on La Gonave for the next few weeks, before a small respite and then back to work on the mainland near Port-au-Prince.  Thank you for your prayers and support.    – Lisa

A Little Island, a Little Rig, a “Few” Years and an Amazing God.

Curt and Mary go back to La Gonave, Haiti.

I want to share a very interesting story with you…

About 1980, there was a severe drought on the little island of La Gonave, which is 12 miles off the coast, in the “bay” of Haiti.  The island is about 10 by 35 miles, and back then had about 60,000 inhabitants.  There had been almost no measurable rainfall for about three years, and the need for water was severe.  A consortium of church groups and NGO’s got together, hired a hydro-geologist to study the potential for water, and after attempts to dig and hand drill wells, found a water well driller, and bought a new little drill rig.

I was that driller.  Mary, and our three young kids lived on the island for a few years, in a 28-foot long trailer house in a yard loaned to us by the Wesleyan Church.  We drilled about 35 good wells. After the project was over, we sold the little rig to the Free Methodist church and had it hauled to the mainland of Haiti, where we continue to use it.  My family and I left, and after about a year of helping the pump maintenance program start, I left the island.

Fast-forward about 26 years.  In church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia I saw the hydro-geologist I had worked with on La Gonave.  He came to Ethiopia as a Manager of the UNICEF water program, and was very influential in helping us establish a partnership with UNICEF, which continues on today in Ethiopia.

Now move forward about another 2 years.  Our daughter Kari moved to Tulsa, and happened to see an interestingly named church sign beside the highway.  She decided to check out Guts Church, and started attending.  One day she called to let me know that she had an interesting thing going on at the church.  They were starting a clinic and wanted to do a water project, on a little island off the coast of Haiti called La Gonave… and that they were having a hard time believing that she had lived on that island and her dad had drilled wells on it 30 years ago!

So now, I am the driller for Guts Church Water Project on La Gonave. I’ve done some work with them there for the past 3 years, and Mary and I are going there May 4th to spend a couple months, to drill up to 24 wells.

I took a scouting trip on the island a couple weeks ago, and discovered a few of the wells still working (with different pumps).  I also drilled a well beside one that I drilled 28 years ago that had been filled with rocks.  And I hired the same Haitian man that helped me drill it the first time!

This is an amazing story that God has put together!  Mary and I feel honored to be the ones who get to continue trying to help those people on the island who so desperately need water.  Please pray for us, as the work there is still very challenging, and we are much older now! But God is able to use even us to help.

We do not expect to have Internet access while on the island, so if you don’t hear from us until the first part of July, that is why.  In an emergency, you may contact Lisa (the one who blogs here for us) and she’ll find a way to reach us.

 

Curt and Mary King
On board the Sugar Plum
Seattle, WA

April 28, 2011

64 Wells Completed in Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Thank the Lord, the drilling portion of our latest project, drilling 64 wells, is complete.  It was a tough one, involving wells that were as far apart as 145 miles, much of that on rough roads.  We had some significant breakdowns, but no serious injuries or accidents.  Almost all of the wells were good, though some were hard to drill.  But we got it done, with God’s help.

So now the Ethiopian crew is trying to get hand pumps installed.  The seasonal rains have hit, making it extremely difficult to transport sand, gravel, cement and pumps into many sites.  But little by little, we move forward.

Seattle

So, for now I am back in Seattle, enjoying family, running water, consistent electricity, smooth roads, available fuel, fully stocked grocery shelves, fast food, reliable internet, and so much more.  It is a bit overwhelming how much is available.  Home Depot, Walmart, Macy’s, Safeway, Discount Grocery, Costco, to say nothing of the toy stores… It just goes on and on, miles and miles of stores.

As I re-enter our culture, I can’t help but think of those who are looking for some relief from their suffering today.  That mom worrying about what to feed her kids today, the man who is trying to find enough money to get medicine for his sick family, the child seeing his parents struggles to clothe him.

And I see it in both cultures, the family living in a mud house and the family living in a condo.  They both look at those who have more than they do, and wonder why they have to struggle, when  it appears that their neighbor has so much.  If they could just get a little break in life, maybe they could catch their breath and get a step ahead…

“Do What It Takes”

So, today I will try to look around, outside my happy and thankful world, and if I see someone who needs a break, I pray I will do what it takes to give it to them.  If we all do it, the world will be a little better at the end of the day.  I am reminded that regardless of the culture or surroundings, there are people everywhere that need Jesus.

In just a week or two, I will be making a scouting/planning trip to La Gonave, and Port-au-Prince Haiti.  Mary and I are excited to be a part of the work there, and are privileged to be working with organizations committed to easing the suffering through water provision.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Curt King
Seattle, WA
March 29, 2011

Kids Enjoying New Pump, Southern Ethiopia

Haiti Drilling – LaGonave

September 2010

I returned from Haiti on August 30th, after 15 days working on LaGonave, the small island near the coast of Haiti.  Guts Church of Tulsa, OK  has a Schramm T64 air rotary rig and equipment there.  It was a real challenge getting around, since the roads are not good at all, and rains once again prevented us from getting to some of the coastal villages which are so needy.  So we worked our way up into the “mountains”, where 30 years ago I drilled about 35 wells, working with Compassion International.  In fact, I used the same Haitian man who was my assistant back then, Eriant Elistre!

We drilled 9 holes but only 2 were usable, one at a Church of God in Anse a Galets, and another at the Palma Nazarene church.  One of the men who helped me called driving on the roads rock climbing with trucks, which was accurate.  Along with other breakdowns, we had about 8 flat tires.  Good business for the tire shop on the island.

A real exciting event took place the last Sunday we were there. Snaider, Eriant, Jeff and I decided to go up the coast to repair some broken pumps, but were turned away by long stretches of deep mud. When we got back they went late to the church service and Eriant rededicated his life to Christ!  I attended his wedding on La Gonave dome 30 years ago.  A few years after that, his wife left him, and he seemed to have lost his way.  This was a real decision for him to make, and I will continue to pray for him.

Mary and I will be leaving Seattle Thursday and be gone till September 24th, as the culmination of our 40th anniversary celebration.  We are not taking our computer, which indicates our desire to make it a real vacation!

God bless,
Curt and Mary King
Seattle, WA

Curt and Volunteer, Kevin Drilling, LaGonave August 2010

Gathering at Well, LaGonave, August 2010

CHALLENGE AND CELEBATION IN THE CAMPS

TENT CAMP CHALLENGE

It has been a challenge to try and find fresh water for this camp of around 3900 families, sprawled over some rolling hills just outside of Port au Prince.   It’s been a tough stretch with some unusual drilling situations. The Haitians have stuck with us in the camp, encouraged us, brought us cool drinks, helped anytime we asked, and gave good security at night.  So after watching us work, and listening to us explain everything as we went along, there was quite the celebration when we got water!  Thanks for those of you who prayed for us.

Around 10am today I was about ready to say we just cannot do it, we have to move on.  But Snaider and I stopped for a little while and talked things over, and decided to just move over 20′ and give it one last try.  I am so glad we listened to the gentle nudge from God to keep at it.  The little video is the result! (Click photo for youtube link.)

Celebration at Tent Camp (Well 12) Video Link

ATTITUDE OF HOPE

On another note, as we drove into the camp, a nicely dressed young couple was walking along.  He had a door on his head and she was carrying some supplies.  We gave them a ride to the rig and saw their house just up the hill, plastic stretched over posts.  As I watched them during the day, he worked hard with his roll of wire to make the door work while she gathered rocks to hold the bottom of the plastic walls down against the strong winds.  Occasionally she would pick up a big Haitian hoe and work on their little piece of rocky ground.  I wondered what they were thinking, having lost everything, and starting again with their own little piece of property. They didn’t seem discouraged and that kind of puzzled me.  I hope their love for each other and for God gives them a sense of adventure.  There is that famous saying about attitude can make an ordeal into an adventure (something like that).

Man carrying door to his new tent home

Couple Building their new tent home

ONE MORE TO GO FOR NOW

I’m working on my last well this trip, at a guest house for workers that come to Haiti to help.  I expect to be in Tulsa with Mary to visit our daughter, then back home on our little boat in Seattle next week.  Thank you so much for your prayers, and words and gifts of support.  You have played an important part in this ministry and many people appreciate it.

curt king
Port au Prince, Haiti
July 5, 2010