Monday, June 2, 2014

Tying the Trip Together - Day 7

Day 7

30th May

With the VWOS system up and running, and another site team present on the Villa, our team of 6 knew that our time here at Villa Esperanza was coming to a close. Keeping that in mind, we zealously worked to make some final improvements on the system, which included the following:
- attaching wooden blocks to help fasten the pipes
- adjusting the pump to protect the system from excess pressure
- creating a bend feature on the tank inlet to increase the ozone mixing quality

In addition, we collected some crucial statistics to answer some burning questions regarding electricity costs and time efficiency. As it turns out, our system is capable of storing and thoroughly purifying 250 gallons of water in about 70 minutes. Also, after crunching some numbers, we figured that it would cost roughly 24 US cents to perform the entire purifying process for one batch.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that purified, drinkable water should have an ORP reading of 750 Milli-volts (mV). At the 60th minute mark, our meter had a reading of 800 mV !

Everyone was pleased as punch. At this point, we concluded work on the VWOS, secure in the knowledge that we have labored hard to make the system as good as possible. Our hearts were also warm to know that the Villa is ready to enjoy the benefits of the system.

We carried this positive energy over to our next task. For some time now, Forward Edge International in Nicaragua has been corresponding and establishing relationships with communities in need of amenities. After lunch, our team had the the opportunity to visit one such community to provide training on how to use Sawyer bucket filters. The trip took us through a remarkably long stretch of dirt road, which our driver William cleverly navigated across.

We arrived at our destination, and the community received us very warmly, which spoke very well of  their Forward Edge International's relationship. Our team gathered in a classroom and prepared ourselves to give a training session on Sawyer bucket filters.

Ariela Vader and William giving a demonstration on how to use the bucket filters from Sawyer

The folks from the community sat eagerly with buckets in their hands and laps as Ariela Vader, William and Toby Mea demonstrated the preparation and use of the bucket filter (online instructions for an older version of the bucket filter are here). Everyone listened intently and excitedly began to create their very own bucket filter when we were done with instructions. Our team went around helping individuals who had a harder time with their buckets. In the end, at least a dozen people walked away with a bucket filter and are educated on how to use it effectively. 

We returned to the Villa and began the process of packing up; after all, we were expected to leave the airport at around 4:45 a.m. Before dinner, Gloria Sequiera, the executive director Forward Edge International's operations in Nicaragua, sat down to tell us the story of Villa Esperanza and how God's grace has been instrumental in all aspects. 

Quoting the song Beautiful Things, Gloria explained how God, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, is changing Nicaragua for the better. Speaking for the whole team, this writer felt humbled at the bare declaration of Gloria's confidence in God and his power to create beautiful things.

Dinner was held in the common area, and everyone, including the administrators of Villa Esperanza joined us. Our last meal turned out to be the most challenging one, as the Nicaraguan cheese proved too powerful and foreign for our liking (perhaps its a sign that we should have stayed a little longer). After dinner, there was a session for everyone to mingle and spend quality time together.

Dr Soerens distributing rubber band-wristbands made by his daughters

 Ray (affectionately called "Grandpa" by the villa girls) performs a song on a guitar and harmonica.

Once all the commotion and energy has died down, the villa girls bade our team farewell. Next, we had a joint-worship session with the other team, consisting of three women and their daughters. It was a profitable time of exhortation and sharing each others memories. To wrap up the day and to tie the whole trip together, Jeff sat our team down and gave some words of encouragement to strengthen us along the way. He had us write a note, addressed to ourselves, to remind us of God's favor to those who serve Him wholeheartedly. 

This trip has been absolute roller-coaster of a trip, crammed with diverse experiences. It had its fair share of frustration and anxiety, but God has also filled it with much wisdom and joy. In view of the trip's success, we would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support. Indeed, everyone's contribution has helped us directly in achieving our goal.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." - Colossians 3:17

Friday, May 30, 2014

VWOS Orientation - Day 6

30th May

Day 6

Last night when we were trying to fall asleep, the room was quite hot and stuffy.  After a little while a storm rolled in.  At first, this seemed like sweet relief from the heat, until we remembered that the ozone generator had been installed earlier that day and had not been covered from the rain. So, falling asleep to a nice, peaceful thunderstorm turned into Amy, Amanda, and Ariela running outside at 11 pm in the pouring rain and mud trying to cover the ozone generator to keep it dry. From the beginning, we were planning on building a roof over the system to prevent any of it getting wet. However, because of the lack of rain we had let that fall into the back of our minds. Luckily, the generator was in far enough from the edge of the roof, so it was only reached by a few small splashes.  We covered it with plastic bags and Amy's raincoat.  Once we were satisfied that it was protected, we headed back to bed.

This morning was an exciting morning, since we were doing our training session for the employees of the Villa who will be using the system.  We had ten participants in the session.  Amy and Amanda introduced the system, its operation procedures and maintenance activities.  The session went very well.  The participants were attentive and had many good questions for us.

Nathan Ricardo (leftmost) was our translator for the day.

For the second part of the training, we demonstrated the system and gave the participants the opportunity to get some hands on experience with the system. Ray even had a sermon that correlated with how the system worked. The venturi represents the cross and allows the holy spirit (the ozone) to enter our lives, which makes us anew and ready to enter the world (the tank) to spread God's love and change the world. The group really enjoyed this and it even gave a little boost to remember how the system works.

Tonio enthusiastically removed the filter casing as part of the demonstration.

At the end, we all tried the water we had produced.  The Villa employees were very excited to try it out.  It was fulfilling for our team to see how interested they were in our system and how happy they were to try the water. Some of them said it tasted just like the bottled water they buy. After all the hard work and trials the VWOS team has been through during the past few years, it felt like a big accomplishment to finally have it installed and working. And now that Amy and Amanda have graduated, this was the perfect ending for them as they leave the project.


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Thrills and Adventures - Day 5

29th May

Day 5

Once again, the sun rose early here in Managua, and so did our team. This morning, however, we did not anticipate a full day of work. The primary objective of the day was to relax and unwind. This did not however, stop us from plugging up a couple of leaks; after all, what could ruin our day more than a leaky VWOS installation?

The leaky connections on the water meter were a major cause of all our woes.


Anyway, we boarded the 15-passenger van and primed ourselves for a day of fun and relaxation. Jeff Thompson (our partner from Forward Edge International) and Nathan Ricardo accompanied us in our big day out. We left the Villa at around nine o'clock, and our first destination was the ancient city of Granada, which was founded in 1524.

After an hour or so, we arrived in the archaic and charming city of Granada. Wrestling through the busy streets gave us plenty of time to savor the architecture and layout of the city. We drove through the city and arrived at a dock, from which we would board a boat to explore Lake Nicaragua.

A view of a volcano from Lake Nicaragua.

Lake Nicaragua was unusually low at this time, due to the absence of the rain. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful freshwater lake with spectacular views. Plus, there were exactly 365 islands contained within the lake. Nathan had stories to tell about nearly every single one of them. One the islands was home to a group of monkeys. 
A picture of one of the monkeys stalking along the coast.

Amy was a tad apprehensive about having monkeys on board the boat.  Her fears were realized though, as a monkey (affectionately named Lucy by the boatmen) boarded our boat. Lucy proceeded to hug the boatmen, who serve as her caretaker,  before returning to the island.

We returned to the dock shortly after. Our next destination was a place called Masaya. After a lengthy, uphill drive, we arrived at a lookout point in Masaya where we stopped for lunch. Next, we drove to downtown Masaya where we spent an hour shopping in a market square.

 The lookout point overlooking Lake Apollo, where we had our lunch.

Once we were through with shopping, we boarded the van and drove to our next destination: the fearsome Volcan Masaya. Located in a national park, Volcan Masaya is an active volcano that is part of a larger chain of volcanoes that streaks across Nicaragua. We walked up to the edge of the crater and beheld the smoke and strange rock formations. 

A picture of smoke emerging from the crater of Volcan Masaya.

As soon as we got our fill of thrills and adventures (and sulfurous gas), we left the National Park and made our way back to the Villa. We stopped by the Cafecito where we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and reflected on our day. 

Tomorrow, we will resume our work with the VWOS installation. More specifically, project leaders Amanda Schneider and Amy Heindel will be giving a training session on how to operate the VWOS installation. 

We now leave you with these pictures of buzzards in the sunset, which were taken behind the Cafecito

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." - Psalm 24:1

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Finishing Touches - Day 4

28th May

Day 4

Today was the day: we were going to finish the assembly of the purification system. There were two primary tasks at hand: assembling the serpentine loop, and wiring up the system. 

VWOS project leaders, Amanda Schneider and Amy Heindel, along with Dr Thomas Soerens, volunteered to handle the serpentine loop. Their job required them to make accurate pipe cutouts and pipe connections. When considering their design, they ensured that the loop was 30 feet long and was compact enough for practical and aesthetic purposes.

Serpentine loops are tedious to plan and make. Consequently, Amanda, Thomas and Amy were knocked out after the assembly was finished (or maybe it was the fumes from the glue...)

In the meantime, Ray Knepper and Toby Mea proceeded to install the wires and electronics of the VWOS installation. Between the two of them, they have at least 51 years of experience as electricians (more specifically, Ray has 50 plus years while Toby has only a year). Thus, under Ray's direction, the various electronic components (i.e switches, electric meters, the pump and the ozonator) were wired to the power supply here at Villa Esperanza.

Installing the power box, from which all other appliances will get their power. 

Sometime before lunch, the serpentine loop joined the rest of the system and suddenly, we get something that looked similar to the VWOS in the Engineering Laboratory at Messiah College. 

With the installation of the serpentine loop, water being pumped through the system makes contact with the ozone, allowing for water disinfection and oxidation of other chemicals.

In the electric department however, there was a slight setback as some components were still missing. Fortunately, William managed to fetch the necessary components from around Managua. The sun started to beat on us as we scrambled to put the finishing touches to the installation. Ariela even flicked the switches to ensure that our wiring was done properly. In the end, we breathed a sigh of relief as we stepped back to behold all that we have done


.
 The VWOS system, installed in Villa Esperanza, Managua, Nicaragua

We are so thankful to have come this far in our journey. We would like to thank everyone for striving together with us in prayer. We will continue to run tests and observations to optimize the system and prepare ourselves to pass this system on to the staff working here in Villa Esperanza.