In the village

Very different conversations today. An eight hour drive say our small group in meetings with local villagers set us by the army. The stories were of displacement at some point since 1986 and returning during the last two years to find homes and temples destroyed and fields and gardens reclaimed by the forest. There is no water or electricity here and while some permanent houses are being built many are in flimsy huts. Development only happens through the army and some of the few NGOs have given up. The government is building roads, especially in the south, but progress is slow up here. The church is of course already present in the community so doesn't need government permits but it must work with the army; and well intentioned local officers often assist. We are hopeful of finding ways to partner this. Steve . Tuesday 15.1