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As the Africa Field Manager for Blood:Water Mission, I am often asked what a normal day looks like. I often want to reply that I wish I had an answer, that there is no true routine, but that is an easy way out. My life in Kigali, Rwanda setting up Blood:Water's presence in Africa is a story for another day, but I thought you might appreciate a taste of what my life has been like the past few days here in Uganda.

On Monday, I got up early to be at a small air field between Entebbe and Kampala to fly up to Lira, Northern Uganda (having flown into Entebbe Sunday evening). I am grateful for missions organizations who make this routing possible - even as I went up and down, our nine seater plane landed at four dirt airstrips before my final destination. In Lira, I was greeted by our partner, who has become a dear friend, and prepared for an afternoon of conversations about projects and evaluations.

Tuesday was filled with fruitful conversations - not that different than a day of business meetings in America, except these were held under mango trees while sitting in plastic chairs and drinking Chai. We talked about staff changes, the directions of our organizations, and how our partnership will continue to grow in the future. We also shared about our families and our dreams, during the time that has passed since we were last together. The conversations ran late and the sun was setting when we parted ways. Following dinner, I had my weekly meeting with the Africa Field Director, who is based in Nashville. Over the hour we talked about our programs, upcoming plans, and how the work is progressing - full of seriousness and laughter.

Wednesday came and it was time to visit communities - places where work has happened and is happening. I began with a well that was drilled in 2011 thanks to the money raised during the 40 Days of Water campaign. I am thrilled to say that the well is in great condition, and is being cared for by the community. I spent time interviewing people and capturing video footage that you will see in the coming months. Next I went to a community where a well was drilled just last week and the hand pump was being installed. Not only did I witness the excitement of the community, but also the amazing interactions between the drillers & this community that they were ministering to. Such overflowing love. More than three hours bouncing on dirty roads and two communities visited. I was exhausted at night and it was all I could do to make it through dinner and do a quick read through my emails.

Today is Thursday, and I thought I would begin the drive north to visit an HIV/AIDS partner at noon. The day started off with a meeting, and then I packed. Come to find out that the journey would not begin until 4pm. Hurry up...and wait - a normal part of my life in Africa. I found the only coffee house I know of in Lira, sat down and worked on the top items on my to-do list while drinking good coffee and fresh juice. A couple hours of driving, an 8:30pm dinner, and now I am under my mosquito net thinking about a night of no electricity and all that tomorrow holds.

This is my normal day - a day filled with travel, community, conversations, hard-work, joy, books, tea, and much needed rest. It is amazing to be see close to our partners and our work in Africa day-in, and day-out. And, although I can become paranoid as I fall asleep and listen to mosquitoes buzz and wonder if they are inside our outside of my bed-net, I am filled with joy living with and seeing the faces of people as they receive a hand-pump for the first time. I hope you read this and find joy in it as well, as you see what your efforts in the US can accomplish.

You can follow Pam's journey in Africa on twitter: twitter.com/pamthenomad

 Blog post written by: Pamela Crane, PhD - Africa Field Manager 

Lent. It's the time of year when we hear a lot less from some of our friends on Facebook or Twitter, hear too much from our crabby friends that gave up candy and sweets, and hear better language from our friends that gave up swearing. You might even be considering giving up one of these things yourselves. These are all great things to give up, but what if this year for lent you take it one step further, and give up something that will benefit you AND people half-way around the world in dire need for clean water?

How can you do it? Give up all beverages and replace them with only water for 40 days. (Ok, confession, some of you will probably be just as crabby as your friends that are giving up sweets, but you will be crabby for the greater good!) It won't be easy for those of you who need their cup-a-joe in the morning, but you will be amazed as the money you will save, and the impact that money can have on our friends in Africa that need it most. By giving up one $3 latté in the morning for 40 days, you can provide clean water to a family of six for 15-20 years! (Think about what you can do if you give up a $3 coffee, a $2 soda, and a $6 glass of wine or beer for 40 days!)

It's a big commitment to not drink anything but water for 40 days, but from February 22 to April 7, that's exactly what we're asking you to do. It's a lot easier if you do it with other people like your friends or family. You even get feast days! Every Sunday, you can splurge if you would like and take a sabbath from your fasting! 

Prepare your mind and your body for Easter this year by focusing less on bettering yourself, but on helping those in need. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:40). 

What are you waiting for? Register for 40 Days of Water now!

Our good friend, author, and Ride:Well Tour alumni Anne Jackson has partnered with Blood:Water Mission to provide a journal for 40 Days of Water participants. The journal features daily encouragement, reflections, passages, and space for a participant to journal their own reflections as they go through 40 Days of Water.

The journal will be accessible through the 40 Days of Water Website at the beginning of the campaign, and can be viewed daily or printed for you to journal your own reflections. Below is a sample of what is to come:

It always fills our hearts with joy when we receive reports from our partners in the field regarding work done in our water, sanitation & hygiene, and HIV/AIDS projects. Today we rejoice in the fact that during the month of December in Lwala, Kenya, 23 of the children coming from several schools completed WASH training (17 girls and 6 boys)! 

WASH trainings (Water and Sanitation, Hygiene) cover topics such as: knowing the difference  between safe and unsafe water, drinking safe water (and keeping it clean & safe), stopping the spread of disease, keeping food and utensils clean, using clean latrines, keeping our homes and classrooms clean, and using safe water while caring for people with HIV/AIDS. Participants, in this case, children, are expected to take this information to create a better quality of life, and to be good role models to family, friends, and community members.

Successes like this could not be accomplished without the advocacy and support from people like you. These 23 children will be able to impact their village greatly, but there is still a large population that needs to receive proper WASH education. Please consider supporting our work, and help us build stronger, healthier African communities.

*The picture above shows the instructor teaching WASH participants about AIDS

 Blog post written by: Pamela Crane, PhD - Africa Field Manager