For my final photo of #weekofhope series this is me and the team I was part of, incredible people with a heart to help others. I made amazing friends on this trip, friends for life. When you go on a 2 week trip to an extreme remote area like this you get to REALLY know people, you share a special bond. One person likened it to going to the moon with a team of people. It was very special and I hope to get back with these people very soon. I hope you have enjoyed this series of #weekofhope showing the beautiful Pokot people and those who feel called to help them. My suggestion for you is to help someone, anyone, how ever close or far they may seem. However big or small the need is, our world has a lot of good but it can always use more. Thanks for looking and listening. @hopewaterproject @kensingtonchurch #pokot #hopewaterproject #waterchangeseverything #missions #helpothers

#weekofhope @hopewaterproject runner and friend, the amazing @hollyheter pictured here as she finishes the #DetroitFreePressMarathon she and 1400 other HWP runners put themselves through this amazing feat of endurance to raise money for those who don’t have clean water in Kenya. To get involved check out HopeWaterProject.org to run or donate. #runnersworld #run #waterchangeseverything #detroitstrong #kenya #marathon

Look at that crystal clear water! Not only is it visually clear but it’s also clear of disease and harmful things that make people so sick. This is from a well at the Kauriong orphanage in the remote Pokot region of Kenya. Over the past few years the @hopewaterproject and #NoChild.org folks have seen a drastic change in the health of these kids all do to clean water and food. #weekofHope #waterchangeseverything #cleanwater #hopewaterproject #4PureWater

Time to cook dinner. One way to describe the remote areas of Kenya is that it feels like what the early pioneer days in America must’ve been like. Long trips by foot or donkey, cooking all your meals with what’s available and over an open fire. I loved it. Such a calmer way of life. I was definitely envious of that way of life to a certain extent. The disease and lack of clean water is definitely something that I did not enjoy, and neither do they. Support #cleanwater @hopewaterproject #waterchangeseverything #weekofhope #campfire #cooking #fire

Look at that cute little bundle peeking out snuggled up with mom. While we were checking out potential water well sites a few locals would approach us out of curiosity. So we talked for a bit and I asked to take their group photo, after I took the group photo and they all laughed after seeing the back of my camera, this woman pulled me aside and asked (motioned) to have her picture taken again so that we could see her baby better. She was so proud to show off her little guy. Moms are the same all around the world. #proudmom #babywearing #moms #kenya #waterchangeseverything @hopewaterproject #weekofhope

#weekofhope @hopewaterproject just another morning in Kenya. Time to get your villages water for the day/week. I actually got to help fill this round of jerry cans. I can say that I am a man who has done lots of weight training in my day and I was wiped out after filling 2 of these. Those hand pumps are no joke, but to them its a welcomed method over hand digging bore holes (pictured yesterday). Much respect for the kids and women who fetch water every day. That also couldn’t stop laughing when Darby (another friend on the trip) and I were helping pump water, this is something that grown men NEVER do in their culture. Fun memories of them all giggling at us Mazungas trying to hang with them. 😄 #cleanwater #Workout #jerrycan #hopewaterproject #thankful @kensingtonchurch

I often hear the phrase “we give people a hand up not a handout”. And we believe that local empowerment is key to any program like this. Here a tribe leader from the Pokot region of Kenya shakes the hand of Jay who is partially responsible for this village getting water, a much needed basic necessity for life. In the foreground is a pile of thorny twigs that marks the spot a water surveyor said would be the best spot to drill for a new water well. The team gathered some information from him about schools in the area as well as churches and how many people live there. This well would serve anywhere between 2000 and 4000 people. Amazing! One well at a time.. #waterchangeseverything #cleanwater #cleanwaterwednesday @hopewaterproject #weekofhope #hopewaterproject

Continuing with my @hopewaterproject photo week. This how many get their water for the day. How do you get yours? These are “bore holes” that are hand dug, they dig until they hit water. sometimes that could be 2 feet sometimes that could be 6 feet or more, then they scoop it out with their hands or a cup. And I think it’s too much work to replace my #Brita Filter at home. Some much needed perspective for me this morning. #borehole #water #weekofhope #cleanwater #waterchangeseverything #kenya