Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale Group

May 5th 2009 Tarahumara Outreach

We were so pleased to have the Florida group with us this past week. We were able to get alot accomplished toward the completion of the water project for the Tarahumara village of Huisarochi. Early on Tuesday morning we loaded the four vehicles with people, tools and supplies to make the long trek into the mountains where the village is located. We had a little scare upon arriving at the village that morning. As we were descending the steep hill into the village I could see a vehicle making its way up the road toward us. This was unusual because you never see vehicles in this area. It had parked in a field in front of a few small log homes and the driver had gotten out to go up to one of the houses. It was then that he saw all of us coming down the hill. He made a quick dash to his vehicle and began driving toward us. The people inside were definitely not locals and were leaving as fast as they could. It was pretty evident we had scared them as much as they did us. The locals we had with us said they they were either looking to buy locally grown marijuana or were there to pressure the indians into growing it for them. It was in this same village last year we had stumbled upon a small field growing beside a small stream. After we had gotten parked and unloaded I had the team to have prayer for our protection and for this small village as well.

This water project will supply clean drinking water for around 10 to 15 families located in this small isolated mountain village.  Their village is too small to receive any government help to get water. This is where we come in, these are kinds of people we want to help. Marcos, a local Tarahumara working with would like to begin coming to this village at least once a month to do an outreach with them.

The group  poured an eight foot by eight foot concrete slab on this spot for a 5000 liter tank that will hold the water from the spring located up the canyon.       

Here is the finished slab. All we need now is the tank that will hold the water.

The little sledge I had would not even touch the large boulder that had to be removed from the reservoir. Luckily we had another tool with us that made quick work of that big rock! Shawn from the Chihuahua Calvary Chapel Church is seen here with the jack hammer.

Marcos Mancinas is seen here working on the dam.

The dam is now complete. We would like to pour a concrete bottom and go around the sides of the reservoir to help keep it clean.

Pictured here is the team that worked mixing cement, busting rocks and shoveling lots of sand. The other team were working a mile down the canyon getting the concrete pad poured. Thank you all so much for your help with this water project.

There is still opportunity for anyone wishing to contribute or sponsor this water project. We also more than welcome groups or individuals who are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone to come and take part in an adventure with a purpose.

         Items needed to complete this project:

         1.  2 kilometers of 1 inch black roll pipe: $900 dollars.

         2.  10 sacks of cement: $10-12 dollars each. *

              * Need met!!! Thank you Calvary Chapel!

         3.  5000 liter water tank: $550 dollars.

         4.  All connectors, valves, etc, : App. $200 dollars.

         5. Extra tools: shovels, picks, wheelbarrow etc.*

           *  Need met!!! Thank you Calvary  Chapel!