| |
|
|
 |
|
12 Representatives
by Ken Hoch, PR Director |
Relationships are everything in DE, so we'd like to introduce you to the summer trip team
members.
|
Erik Blosser
Class: Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Birth date: 6/16/1985
DE Project: Pump & Irrigation
Erik added a quiet presence of persistence and diligence to this January’s trip team. Erik never missed an opportunity to smile and take on a clamoring group of Burkinabe children in a game of soccer. At one point, Dr. Norman, our Trip Advisor asked someone to “capture Erik and send him over.” Unfortunately, the team translated Norman’s comments quite literally and sent Erik over handcuffed with rope.
Erik’s hard work with the trip team’s finances and with the pump team’s research led to several memorable moments. These included a long ride on the back of a motorbike and an attempt to navigate cultural differences, described as follows in his own words:
"Later I decided to buy a soccer jersey from Isaac. This was my first real transaction and I made a lot of mistakes. I was speaking through a translator (Esther) and it was kind of hard to get everything thoroughly understood. I tried on a jersey, which I found out pretty much means I’m going to buy it, which I was planning to anyway. He was asking 6000CFA for it which seemed reasonable to me and I was accepting it. Several other people told me it was too high. I had already given the money to Isaac to get change (Which was another mistake). I had opened my pouch to get out the money, showing him some of the other money (quite a bit, being the treasurer), which didn’t help things either. I think I’ll carry a little money in my pocket from now on." ---January 3, 2005.
As Erik learned the practical things (i.e bargaining), he developed a clear heart for the people, building relationships with Pastor John Le Paul and the children. These are the lasting touches of Erik’s work in Burkina Faso.
|
 |
Regina Cunanan
Class: Senior
Major: Electrical Engineering
Birth date: 12/04/1982
DE Project: Energy Team (Micro-Enterprise)
This January’s trip team marveled at Regina’s ability to pick up anything, including the French language. Regina’s work is groundbreaking, as she was the sole member of DE’s micro-enterprise project that went on the trip. She spent most of her days training Yendie, a man from the Handicapes En Avant center to make the solar flashlights. As this work develops, DE will be able to help disabled and disadvantaged people pursue their own business efforts.
Regina was aptly named “Chef Gi-Gi” because of her management of all the trip’s meals.
She demonstrated flexibility in a number of ways: planning who was to prepare which foods and nimbly rock-climbing in a skirt. Regina is from the Philippines, and her perspective on American culture often aided the team in learning and discussion. Regina’s courage, humor, and love for everyone around her gave the team an essential piece of its heart.
|
 |
Sean Davis
Class: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Birth date: 12/05/1985
DE Project: Tricycle
Sean’s humor and distinct imagination led the team to elect him videographer. His commentary was highly anticipated as the video chronicled the travel, work, and relationships of the DE team with the world of Mahadaga. Sean has the ability to turn every situation into one worth laughing about. But he wasn’t all smiles and laughs.
Sean has a servant’s heart. He constantly chose to do the tasks others shrank from. He would wash dishes when others were tired. He would work alongside Dan Dourte on the Tricycle Project with a sense of eagerness to fill in the gaps. While Sean’s behavior is not often recognized as leadership, his attitude and his actions spell out a good leader.
Sean also brought a little bohemian flavor into the team’s perspective and cooking. He would cook with Erik Blosser and Dr. Norman, while sharing stories of creative dishes. Sean’s most photogenic moment occurred at the team’s SIM going away BBQ in Ouaga, where he cradled a chicken on his shoulder like a regular Bohemian pirate.
|
 |
Dan Dourte
Class: Alumni (Class of 2004)
Major: Mechanical Engineering
DE Project: Tricycle
Since Dan Dourte previously worked on the installation of Yempaabou’s electric tricycle during the summer of 2004, he added a bit of familiarity and knowledge to this January’s team. Because of Dan’s experience, calm presence in daunting goals, and love for other teammates, Dan was a perfect fit for a team leader.
Dan wasn’t all business. He could often be found chasing baboons through the hills of Mahadaga, or sneaking up on an oasis that boasts crocodile sightings. Dan’s child-like excitement for the world around him feeds his passion for giving others the chance to see more of the world. He works out this passion in the Tricycle team. His favorite memories are simple moments, such as seeing Yempaabou go for his afternoon explorations.
|
 |
Jessica Felter
Class: Senior
Major: Electrical Engineering
Birth date: 1/17/1983
DE Project: Water for the World
Jess Felter is Water for the World’s first project member to go to Burkina Faso. Her work testing area wells for the pesticide Endosulfan and other dangerous pollutants will enable DE to serve the community’s health needs more adequately. Jess’s research of the cotton dominated agricultural work in Mahadaga gave her project a greater understanding of the possible pesticide contaminants and their resulting health problems.
Jess’s trip wasn’t all research, though. She could often be found with a larger trail of small children, singing and cuddling close to her. Her love for them caused them to follow her constantly. Holding a small toddler with dark braids and deep brown eyes named Angel, Jess would explore Mahadaga looking for the best water sources to test.
Jess also planned out the cleaning schedule for the team and served as worship leader. Her ability to bring people together helped the team have a sense of unity when all our projects sent the team in various directions.
|
 |
Ken Hoch
Class: Senior
Major: Christian Ministries and English
Birth date: 9/1/1983
DE Project: Staff (Public Relations)
It would be difficult to say what I added to the trip team. I can say that the trip team added something to me. Having the responsibility of documentation and working with the Rapid Rural Assessment, I had the privilege of walking around writing about all I saw.
Perhaps its more fitting for me to share a few excerpts from my journal:
I realize that children are my teachers in theology and the more I learn the more I just want to be with God, so I don’t have to know then . . . Yempaabou read where Jesus turned water into wine at the Wedding in Cana. I felt it wash over me anew! Of course! Jesus has a way of taking the most mundane attributes of life and turning them into sweet wine that we must wait for. Yempaabou beamed---he was able to move around by himself, to read, to go to school, and he had friends---these were the water-wine attributes of life.
---January 7, 2005
(On the Fulani compound)
Women were burning fertilizer in the center; naked children ran around with bloated stomachs. The men rested under a mango tree. We gathered together, the Burkinabe men on one side, the children on another, the women on another and then us. It was a tight rectangle of humanity. Babies were handed from mother to mother as if they were communal property. They talked of many things with us and were very warm. Sometimes I wonder why they embrace us. Perhaps its because they have been taught that they are inadequate. One man said, “but you are more intelligent than us!” I hope someone continues to show the Fulanis that they are a wonderful people. They gave us a chicken—live and dangling by its feet. They were a tangle of smiles.
---January 12, 2005
Amina is a 10 year old Fulani girl with dark embers for eyes and frail frame. She broke my heart. Her sickness may be cerebral palsy—but it seemed more like a rare genetic disease (Françoise shared). Amina had energy in the early morning and then would collapse. She couldn’t even sit upright without something to lean on. Her limbs were always shaking as if she was exerting her maximum strength for each task. But she had a smile that would stop angels. She loved seeing cameras and playing games. She soaked up attention not in a self-gratifying way but with gratefulness I couldn’t understand. Her family began to talk to us. They said her disease was much more serious because she was a girl. If Amina were a man, the woman would serve him. Women must serve, so how can she be of any use? They asked. Amina fell back—tears began to bubble out of her eyes, disturbing the flies that would nestle near the corner of her eyes. She howled and it shatters me. God what can I do?
--January 18, 2005
|
 |
Joseph Longenecker
Class: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Birth date: 9/14/1983
DE Project: Pump & Irrigation
If you ask any of the trip team members who took 42 pictures of a yellow box, the answer would be Joseph Longenecker. Joseph’s attention to detail and diligence in answering the minutest question makes him the perfect team photographer and engineering student.
Joseph is a wise sage. After riding on the back of a motorbike out into the bush, Joseph offered us this piece of advice, “I think the trick is to act like a sack of potatoes.” Often Joseph’s research for the Pump & Irrigation team led him to interesting questions and answers. When talking with a group of Fulani herdsmen, Joseph started asking about calving. In response to the question, the Fulani herdsmen asked Esther, our translator, if she was pregnant. Often the perils of translation through several languages are challenging.
The son of a dairy farmer, Joseph was the talk of the town. Literally. Dr. Norman used Joseph’s diary experience as a way of establishing commonality between the Burkinabe and our team. Joseph handled all this publicity well, asking a few more questions, and sporting traditional African garb.
|
 |
Dr. Ray Norman
Dean of the Department of Mathematics, Engineering, and Business
Dr. Ray Norman offered a wealth of experience in engineering, French translation, and the West African lifestyle. He led the team on several hikes into the surrounding bush, teaching team members of various plants and animals. He had the uncanny ability to find his way through the most barren places.
Dr. Norman not only led the team’s hikes, but he often guided our cultural and spiritual discussions. He had the amazing capacity to seek out our stories and opinions, despite his wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Not everyone would know of another of Dr. Norman’s expertise: culinary critiques. Dr. Norman spent meals critiquing our team’s culinary arts. From the peanut butter in the chili to the mango mush, Dr. Norman shared a wealth of Alabama flavor.
|
 |
Mark Reiff
Class: Sophomore
Major: Christian Ministries
Birth date: 4/09/1985
DE Team: Energy (Burkina Faso Team)
Mark Reiff spent his time traveling with the Site Survey Team. His time in Mahadaga was a whirlwind of maintenance work. The Site Survey team was a tired, tight unit for the trip, having to endure long hours in various vehicles, traveling around Burkina Faso.
Known for his violent sport tactics, Mark was the Site Survey Team’s videographer. Capturing the trip team’s story, enduring countless hours of maintenance activities, and tolerating the incessant trips through Ouaga to various locations, Mark’s patience and flexibility was a quiet contribution to the overall health of the team.
|
 |
Matthew Rooke
Class: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Birth date: 08/07/1983
DE Team: Energy
Matt Rooke has been to Burkina before, but not like this. Previously, his work has been primarily through the Handicapes en Avant Center and last January’s solar array. This stay in Burkina has been unlike any other in that he has experienced a broader range of its culture, working in Fada N’Gourma, Piela, and Djibo. Experiencing more cultures through Australian, Canadian, and French missionaries along with the Fulani, Gourma, and Mossi tribes of the Burkinabe people, Rooke’s leadership was an invaluable mainstay in the Site-Survey team.
Rifling through previous trip-lore, Matt is infamous for his garlic concoctions that repel goats. He is also a favorite among Burkinabe children because of his soccer skills and guitar antics. Matt’s joyous countenance and calm experience were a pertinent part of the team trip’s experience.
The Site Survey Team enjoyed the brunt of Matt’s leadership. Their first expedition (shopping) resulted in a 5kg bucket of peanut butter. In appreciation for his enduring leadership, the trip team has thought of buying him a 5kg bucket of jelly for his graduation in May.
|
 |
Joel Travis
Class: Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Birth date: 2/21/1985
DE Team: Energy (Burkina Faso Team)
Joel Travis found Burkina through the eyes of camera lenses. Site Survey Photographer, Joel helped document the foreseeable needs in Djibo, Piela, and Fada N’Gourma. A sophomore, Joel is the energy team’s upcoming leader. His patient personality and compassionate presence solidified the team’s identity.
Aside from wearing funny shoes and being part of the humorous yet hardworking Site-Survey team, Joel gave an amazing effort to learn French and even dabbled in Gourma and Fulani languages. His quiet excitement for learning new stories and seeing new places made him a perfect traveling companion for the team.
|
 |
Matt Walsh
Alumni and Messiah College Electrical Technician
DE Project: Energy
Matt Walsh has never quite gotten away from DE. One of its founding members, Matt continues to be a presence of experience and laughable mentoring to those that wish to learn from him. Passionate about Burkina Faso and solar energy, Matt keeps on returning, bumbling through more French with each trip. In case you ever need to know, Matt will tell you that the French word for lobster is “langoste”.
Matt graduated in 2000 and married fellow DE member Julie Walsh. Matt works at Messiah College as an electrical technician, whereas Julie is employed at Master’s Manufacturers. The two share a passion for Burkina Faso and hope to become fulltime missionaries through SIM in the near future. Their continued sacrifice and mentoring presence is an integral part of the DE experience.
|
 |
|
Back to Webzine Index
|
|
|
