Kochi, India

Today was spent catching up on email and seeing a few of the sites. Kochi is in the southern part of India and is a large sea port. Even though it feels like a small seaside town, it has more than 2 million people. Kochi is a very old place, it has been a center of spice trade for over 600 years. Kochi became a kingdom in 1102. The local folks will tell you this is where "old India" started.

I took a ferry over to the really old part of Kochi. I wanted to visit a Jewish Synagogue that was built in 1586 and the Spice Market. The spices fill the air with the most amazing smells.

I am meeting up with the Living Water folks in the AM and then it is off to the wells.

Today I packed up very early in the morning and met up with some friends of mine from Living Water International. After spending a day and a half alone in India I was ready to see some friends! I checked out of the hotel and we drove 3.5 hours south of Kochi to central Kerala, India.

This area of Kerala will be our base for the next 3 days.

After a late breakfast we rested and then toured the area. We took in a few shops and enjoyed some southern India food (which is very different than Northern Indian food.)

Tomorrow is a big day, so stand by for pictures

A big part of the reason I am in Southern India is to view a few of the 20 wells Parkview Community Church has funded in this area. Parkview has partnered with Living Water International to dig the wells. All of the wells are complete and today I will have the privilege of meeting some of the families whose lives have been improved because of Parkview Community Church.

Our day started out at a slow pace. We traveled about 30 minutes south and were treated to a Back Water Houseboat Tour. This was a great way to get educated on the people of this region and see how a whole other segment of the population lives. If you are ever in Kerala I would highly recommend this great adventure.

After our tour was complete we headed to the first well site. I was very anxious to see this well and meet the people it serves. Upon arrival we met the pastor of the local church connected to this well. Everyone one of the 20 wells Parkview funded is directly connected to a local church and a local Pastor.

I must confess it was far more emotional to see the well than I could have possibly imagined. As we walked up there was a huge line of people there getting their water for the night. I was able to help several ladies fill their buckets and they all laughed at how tired I got just filling two buckets.

Prior to this well being dug these women had thee choices, they either walked a half mile down the hill to a government water source, which is turned on at best once a week. Or they could buy water, or they could use the 70 foot hand dug well. None of these were a good option as the water is too expensive, the hand dug well is only usable half the year (and the water is NOT safe) and the government source only works once a week.

So, this new safe source of drinking water is making a HUGE impact. It is making the life for these women better, but it also providing the pastor with a very solid relationship to the community. Being a pastor in this area is not easy, but this well provides him a platform to speak into peoples lives. It is an amazing thing to see.