The Sozo/Flatirons Construction Trip - Day 7

If you received my daily email updates you've seen most of it, but not all. Since my return I've added a few notes and comments which I've put in blue italic type so those of you who don't want to read it all again can pick out the "new stuff." <g> I've also added a couple photos from each day of the trip, which weren't always in the daily updates.

If you'd like to see more photos from the trip, follow the link to the left.  I took many of them, but the rest were taken by other team members Levi Dockendorf, Jeff English, Dave Harrison, Jordan Kejr, Micah Kirkwood, Michal Kmita, and David Pesek. Ron Barnes was there, too, but usually too busy keeping track of the rest of us to take photos. <g> If you'd like hi-rez copies of any of them just let me know.

Sunday, June 29

This morning Michal was too sick to travel with us to Barek Aub. Dr. Qahar doesn't think it's anything too serious, but that doesn't change how truly rotten Michal actually feels. He's a real favorite of the kids at Barek Aub and they asked about him frequently as did some of the other workers. We miss our brother who's an important part of The Team and hope that he be able to rejoin us again soon.

OK now for your regularly scheduled programming

When we arrived at Barek Aub this morning, Mohamad Kahn from Sozo took us up to the new reservoir (part of the water well project Flatirons sponsored) which will soon serve Barek Aub and is situated high on a hill to the east of the village. Dave H. (our water resources expert) said the reservoir was well designed and constructed and should serve the water needs of Barek Aub for the foreseeable future. The well and reservoir are both complete all they are waiting for is approval from a couple government agencies <sigh> on the routing of the pipes that will carry water to and from the reservoir.

From the reservoir high on the hill, we could see the acres of drought resistant wheat (developed at CSU!) that is now coming in and hopefully will soon be available as a food source. The price of flour has nearly tripled in the last year in this region and the ability to maintain a sustainable crop will be critical to their future independence. (UPDATE: Shortly after I wrote this I was told that wheat is on land that belongs to the people of Cashme-Ye Kharuti, an ancient village due east of Barek Aub. The reservoir is also on their land, but the elders of Barek Aub have worked out an arrangement with them to use the Barek Aub school, clinic, and water supply in return for being allowed to place their reservoir on their land. My hope is that they will also share their wheat with the people of Barek Aub.)

As we were getting ready to leave the reservoir, we noticed an old man who had hiked up the hill from the village. His name is Sahid Mohamad and he spoke no English so Mohamad Kahn explained to us that he was asking us for help in finishing the water reservoir because the whole village desperately needs the water. They have virtually no employment and cannot grow crops or raise livestock on their own until the water is available. Mohamad Kahn explained to him that we are from the village that provided the well and reservoir, but that it is the government that is holding up the rest of the project. Sahid Mohammad thanked us and graciously and politely began the long hike back to his home.

I shared that story not to criticize the Afghan government or ask you to pitty the man, but to try to convey how incredibly dignified and gracious these people are in the midst of genuine suffering. Sahid Mohamad didn't hike up the hill to complain - he came only to ask for our help with their continued survival. The people of Barek Aub are rapidly changing our perceptions and make all of us want to do even more for them.

After the tour of the reservoir and well, we headed down to the school and handed out the "dostum" (friendship) long-sleeve t-shirts we brought to share with the workers and elders of Barek Aub and to wear ourselves while we worked with them. When it came time to hand them out, Mohamad Kahn suggested that one of OUR elders hand them out and he pointed straight at ME! I was really flattered and honored to be allowed to hand out the shirts and personally thank each of them for working with us and allowing us to work with them. I guess the white beard, signifying my extensive chronological achievements, was finally good for something. <g> We then went to the clinic and Ron and Jeff handed out the rest of the shirts while Dave H. closed out his perc test from the day before.

After that we got down to work with everyone picking up right where we left off yesterday. A couple of the bricklayers and many of the children asked about Michal and we had to explain that he was too sick to join us. We all missed him and the work today just wasn't as entertaining without him. We are praying for Michael that his health will be restored and he'll be able to join us again soon!

We were once again treated to a fantastic lunch of chicken, fries, naan, and fruit in the tent Sozo brought for us. The wind quit this morning and it got rather toasty so the tent was a very welcome shelter from the heat.

The local workers were breaking a little early today so after lunch we left Barek Aub and took a side trip up to Bagram AFB and across the Shomali Plain to the main highway out of Kabul for the return trip home.

After yet another epic dinner of meatballs, eggplant casserole, rice, and naan from Naieme, our day ended with a multi-faith church service at Camp Eggers, a US military base in downtown Kabul. Getting through their security clearance was interesting and very thorough - walking through several bombproof corridors on our way through three passport checks, two aggressive full body pat downs, and a fingerprint check. It was a sobering reminder that we're in a war zone. Obviously the service wasn't like Flatirons, but they definitely made us feel welcome and it was great to be able to worship and fellowship with Christians over here.

Thank you again for your continued prayer support... the opportunities and connections we've made at Barek Aub have been truly remarkable. Please continue to pray for us... for our safety, for Michal's health, and for more opportunities to serve the people of Barek Aub.

--Bob Tunnell

The team at the new 75,000 liter (20,000 gal.) reservoir above Barek Aub.
photo by Jordan Kejr

Sahid Mohammad joins us at the reservoir to seek help for his family.
photo by Jordan Kejr

The Construction Team and bricklayers extraordinaire from Barek Aub in our "dostum" (Dari for "friendship") shirts.
photo by Micah Kirkwood