Water-less

Since the night of the girls clandestine mission to the boys dorm, the little clearing in the jungle has been without running water. While it was clear that the problem was with the pump, and not the power source, the masculine occupants of this clearing were unable to access the inner recesses of the water pumping apparatus due to the location of a hive of honey bees. It seems that back in November when these bees were purchased and a location was being scouted for their residence, the water pump appeared to be the ideal location. It was not in the area of the creek where humans usually frequented, it was near some lovely banana trees which the bees would appreciate, and it put the bees very near to water. In hindsight, as is usually the case in such circumstances, that idea proved to be a very poor plan.

Now if the only problem was the location of the bees, that could be easily remedied by moving their hive to a more suitable location, but there was also another problem. The only articles of bee-keeping clothing that was available when the bees were purchased was the hat and the mask. While wearing these items would definitely keep one from sustaining stings to the face, it would not afford much protection for any other body parts. Moving the bees at night was suggested, and even attempted, but the result of that expedition is another story. Shall we simply say that it ended in a rapid exodus on the part of two particular gentleman for good reason.

To fast-forward through the gory details, the pump was finally accessed with only a swollen left hand on the part of Michael due to several bee stings. After examination it was found that a part of the pump, I will not even pretend to understand, was wet so it was disassembled, dried and then reassembled. It was then discovered that another part was broken, and despite many heroic attempts on the part of several men, a solution was not forthcoming. The company who manufactured the water pump was contacted in an attempt to secure a replacement part. That’s when the trouble worsened.

It seems that their pumps are so well acclaimed, that it is commonly believed that they will not break, hence they do not sell replacement parts. At first they were unbelieving that our pump could possible be broken, after much assurance that it was very much broken, they insisted that we send it to them for inspection. Although it was carefully explained to the company representative the location of the pump, and the distance that location happens to be from their company headquarters, they were unimpressed and continued to insist that the pump be returned. I suggested that we inform them that their representative was perfectly welcome to travel to our jungle home and assess the pump for himself, but for some reason they did not think it prudent to include that in their communications with the company. The end result of the encounter was that our pump was broken, there was no way to acquire a replacement part, and the pump itself would be rather difficult to get to the States. It would appear that we are without relief from our water-less existence.

And so the occupants of the clearing in the jungle have resigned themselves to their fate of creek bathing and laundering, water hauling for cleaning and toilet purposes, and praying for rain since rainwater is significantly preferred as drinking water at the moment without the pump and filter.

Thus far, as soon as our rainwater 500 gallon tank nears empty, the skies have never failed to open up and pour down a glorious liquid. I am learning to pray for, and be thankful for rain. Most of all, when we finally get a pump again, whenever that may be, I will be immensely thankful for the beauty of running water. Afterall, we are very blessed to have such things as running water and electricity at the chool, and I think we take it for granted far too often.