It has been a very challenging time for our farm team. It has been almost a three month battle in search for water. This has truly been a test of faith. Do we keep planting when we don’t have water? Will it keep on raining? The workers at the farm have been transporting water three times a day by motorcycle and then carrying it by hand to existing beds to keep them alive.
Praise God, even while experiencing water shortages, we have harvested Eggplant, Sweet Basil, Bitter gourd or Ampala, Beans, Sinigang Peppers and Papaya.
On Siargao Island, there is no agency we can go to or equipment to search for water tables. Our driller is using equipment that is state of the art compared to how locals do it. Our first well was good for a couple of years, but always ran low during dry season. This year it went completely dry. All attempts to find a better underground water table have been unsuccessful, which is more challenging now that it is dry season. It is better to drill during dry season to be sure we tap a good source. Water is plentiful during rainy season but will not last if we are not hitting the water table.
Thessalonians 5:16-18 clearly instructs us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. Some of our farm team are new Christians, yet their attitude has been incredible during this arid time. As Herdell passes the many faucets standing on the farm, he silently thanks God for the water that will flow once again.
We recently met with officials from a village 820 meters away from the farm and they approved us connecting to their water source. We are outside their boundary but they said Hope for the Island is like family and family should help each other. Our Mercy Ministry Prenatal Program and other ministry times have softened hearts for the Gospel and towards us as a ministry. With that we praised God, ordered the 850 meters of pipe at a cost of approximately $1800 Canadian and got to work.
We did not anticipate what would happen next. Apparently the officials did not follow proper protocol by involving the townspeople in the decision making process. This automatically stopped all work being done. Obviously this concerned us because we purchased the pipe based on that approval. A big town meeting ensued and emotions flared as people expressed their anger and concerns. The officials explained the situation and apologized for their error.Before taking up a new vote, they gave us the floor to explain our purpose and plans that led to the officials initial approval. As the vote began emotions settled. We were surprised and grateful that 100% of votes were in favor of us connecting to their source! We thank God for what turned out to be an answer to prayer because of the new found support we had from not only officials but the entire town.
Unforeseen and unexplained circumstances continued. Three days later the valves were opened releasing water into the pipes. Twenty four hours passed without even a drop of water at the farm. After forty eight hours it was obvious the pressure was not sufficient. A more powerful pump still did not work. We all pressed in and prayed knowing God was in control. The next day we unhooked the pump and reconnected it to the source while considering our options. Within an hour the water was gushing out at the farm. The people in town joined our farmers in praising God. They confessed that a pump wouldn’t provide water. It was our God who was the source of provision!
