Visit from the Water Specialist

Last week we had a visit from Elder and Sister Merkley, water specialists for LDS Charities.  We picked them up at the airport and then spent the rest of Saturday sightseeing in Budapest.  This was a first for us.  In all our trips to Budapest, we had never had a chance to be "tourists." 

Heroes Square

After church on Sunday, we were joined by the Humanitarian Missionary couple from Slovakia, Elder and Sister Schultz.  We traveled up to Lillafüred to see the fall colors.  We were not disappointed!  

Monday, we visited the Lyuko Valley, a community on the outskirts of Miskolc.  We are working on a potential project for this community as well as trying to help improve their water situation.  I will post a PowerPoint that we prepared about our potential project which has a lot of information about this community. 

One of only about 6-8 water pumps in this community of 

4,000 people.  People walk up to 1 km several times a day

to fill their containers with water.  The steep "roads" are often

muddy and icy.  

In spite of not having running water in their homes, most

have electricity and satellite dishes.  

A common occurrence several times a day.  

This time only to find that the water pump was not working.  

Beautiful location.  This used to be a summer retreat for the 

residents of Miskolc.  Now it is one of the largest and poorest

Roma communities.

Elder Merkley (at the pump) is a water specialist from Utah. 
He is looking into the possibility of LDS Charities put in
more water pumps into this area.  Elder Schultz, a
humanitarian  missionary in Slovakia, is looking on.

Monday afternoon, we drove about 2 hours to Presov, Slovakia, where the Schultzes live.  We went to this quaint restaurant for a light dinner.

Elder Schultz leading us into a restaurant in Presov, Slovakia.

Dinner in Presov, Slovakia

In 2013, LDS Charities did a water project for this community.  

Our visit was to look at the possibility of adding to 

this project to expand the supply of water. 

All over the community were group of women sweeping the streets

This row of homes is the result of a project supported by 

Habitat for Humanity.  The family must save 2,000 Euros 

and then they are given a grant for 8,000 Euros and taught 

how to build their own home.  They pay back the 8,000 Euros 

over time.  So far, about 12 homes have been built in this 

community.  LDS charities is looking into supplying a water 

source to these new homes. 

Tuesday afternoon, we drove back to Miskolc for a meeting with The Order of Malta, the NGO working with us in the Lyuko Valley.  

So glad we had this sign to show us which way to go.

We would not have wanted to end up here!

Wednesday morning, we were up bright and early to drive the Merkleys back to Budapest for their flight to Romania.  Then to an afternoon doctor's appointment, dinner with the Bagozzis and the Bradshaws and home again to Miskolc--arriving home at about 10:30.  Just in time to get some sleep to be ready for the next day's activities - District Meeting and an all day program and lunch in Hejokersztur for our gardening project groups.  Of course, our Chocolate Zucchini Bread was a very welcome contribution to the meal.