Those hidden places ...

This is one of the dug wells from which many Khmer homes draw the water from. Dug well water is not considered safe because it is frequently contaminated. But sadly, often this is all the villagers have. Most wells will need a concrete apron around it so that the drawer has a dry and relatively clean spot to stand when washing or drawing water. Many homes have a well, but cannot afford to construct the apron around the well.

Here, the NTU students from Project L.O.V.E. are constructing a well apron for a household well.

We all learned a fair bit from the Khmers about brick laying and preparing concrete. The foundation of the apron is a layer of rocks which are first laid in place and then laboriously pounded into the ground to level them. After that the apron is finished with cement. At first we all thought the method was to first mix the cement and then pour the cement mix over the rock base. But we learned that if we did that, the thick consistency of the cement mix will not flow into the gaps between the rocks. What the Khmers did was too scatter the dry cement mix over the rock base, and then to pour water over the dry mix. The water was then free to carry the cement into all the nooks and crannies between the rocks.

As I was thinking about it, I was reminded of how sometimes our worldly cares and concerns, our sins all conspire to prevent the Holy Spirit from accessing all the hidden areas of our lives. Our Christianity congeals as a hardened shell around us. Looks good but hollow inside.

What we need is a good dose of God's Holy Spirit...fresh, clear and unadulterated. Flow Spirit flow.