"More than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow."

I have never been someone who says "God said this..." Or "Jesus told me this..." I have faith in God's plan yes, but unlike Samuel I have never heard a voice magically call my name from the sky and tell me the plan for my life or what socks I should wear that day. I'd imagine it would sound somewhat like Morgan Freeman in an amphitheater though. However, for me, God speaks in moments, in doors opening, and through other people's actions and words. Things that reassure and timing that couldn't be anything but a work of the divine, have been my guides thus far. Today I have been humbled, amazed, overwhelmed, and heartbreakingly grateful. Today I have been assured that this is where I was supposed to be. Today... I have been donated enough money to install 13 more filters. Yes. That I said 13!!! I don't have a final total, but ball park we are talking $8,000!

I reread the email from First Baptist Somerset twice before I could tell my partner, who was sitting across the dinner table, why I had frozen mid-sentence. We had hoped for maybe 4 more filters... Optimistically. But 13.... Whoa! We needed to start calling people... As soon as we picked ourselves up off the floor.

First of all... This means I will have to return to Udaipur for a third time. I promised to do this and that means I will see it to completion. I would stay an extra week now except something special is happening next week which has been planned for a long time... My mother and my friend Jenny are coming to India!! Therefore, after they leave I will head back over and see this work is done and all donations are used up completely.

But to backtrack... This week:

Today, 5 filters have been installed. I will visit these schools tomorrow and the next day. In addition the company can install 5 more systems by Thursday which I can oversee. All in all, 11 systems (10 Indian RO filters, and 1 Waterstep chlorine generator) will be installed while I have been here. I will visit all of these schools to get their stories and meet the children who will be using these filters before I go. This morning I was able to go to the Dewali school and met the girls there. I will write their full story tomorrow, but it's a good one. Tomorrow I visit them again in the morning because we're gonna color some thank you cards for the students at Glenn Marshall Elementary who raised the money for their filter. It's gonna be so fun!! Coloring is best!!

Everyone, thank you so much. Words can't describe the good that has been done here. Things have fallen into place and I have been connected to people who have made this project bigger than I ever thought possible. One of my biggest saving graces has been Madhu Sareen, my partner in this who has negotiated and coordinated literally everything for me. I know, without a doubt, I could not have done ANY of this if I didn't have her at my side. She has taken care of me when I was really sick (last November), motivated me when I was getting fed up with how hard this work has been, and has shown herself to be one of the most honest and trustworthy individuals I know.

Everyone at home, thank you for believing in me. I'm young. I make mistakes. Sometimes I don't really know what I'm doing. And most recently I have underestimated just how much God can do. When we pray for help, what happens when God answers more than we thought possible? What happens when we want our cup to "overfloweth" but then we get so much it covers the floor and the living room and the basement too? As my dear friend Maria said when she received too many donations from Norway for her Christmas project, "Ya know....This isn't a bad problem to have." She was right, this is the best problem to have.

This is a story about people willing to give their resources to children they haven't even met, living in a place on the other side of the world. It's the best kind of love story. I am truly and completely blessed to be here. More to come tomorrow.

"The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence." -Denis Waitley

Today I am pleased to announce that the Badgaon Government Senior Secondary School received and were trained on how to use the M100 chlorine generator made by Waterstep!!  I am super pleased with this, not only because everything worked out perfectly, but because I know this school both deserves it and will be responsible in maintaining it. The school itself is quite beautiful, sitting at the base of a hill and shaded by a canopy of pink and red flowers. The students were just as beautiful, happy, and eager to learn.

One of the best parts was that my girls from Ambamata (the government school I trained back in November) were able to come out for a short time and help me teach. That was truly one of the highlights of my week: seeing these 16 year old girls take on a teaching role that will benefit other students in their community. The training itself was easy and the students caught on quickly. After requiring them to carry out the whole process by themselves, I was satisfied that they could do it from here on out. I will be back on Friday to check on everything one last time and drink a glass of that water with them!

As for installing the Indian filters... Over the past two days we (Yes, I mean Madhu. My miracle worker) have negotiated with the companies and have found one cheaper than we originally thought! Each RO (reverse osmosis) filter and the purchase of a black storage tank will be around $600! Wahoooo! At this current moment, unless I get more donations this week, I will be installing these RO filters in 5 different schools! Super exciting! All of this will be done by Wednsday and I will write the individual story for each school. Some of these schools guys.... they have amazing stories. One school is for destitute children who live in the actual campus. Another is a special needs school (yes, I literally jumped up and down when I received that assignment) and even others are from low income families. I know a source of pure water will make a huge impact on these schools and the children and I cannot wait to go and meet them all individually. More updates to come! Love you all!

Again, if you wish to donate to this project from now until Wedn. please go to http://waterstep.org/donate/ and then say it is for me for the India project! Please and thank you!

"Nobody said it was easy..." -Coldplay

Day Two ladies and gentleman!

Today was a slower day than anticipated, however I have some exciting news! We are (and by we I mean the amazing Madhu) is ensuring we are getting the best RO Indian filter systems for the best price. We have met with two different providers who are currently competing for our affections. Whoever promises us the best service, product, and price will land this project with us. I can already say the price for each filter will already be under $700. The exact amount as of this time, will be finalized tomorrow when we decide On the provider. So, yay! After this, filters should be installed almost daily if not more frequently.

We are looking at Sunday to be the first day of installation and the school which will receive it is amazing. More details on that tomorrow!

So it looks like even more filters will be installed with just the money we have raised so far! How amazing is that?? Keep praying, keep thinking about all of us here in Udaipur, and let's see what tomorrow brings!

Fun fact: Tomorrow is International Water Day!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!" -Helen Keller

Here I am, on a Thursday afternoon smiling like a little kid because I'm realizing how awesome the next 8 days are about to be. I am in Udaipur again and will begin installing water filtration systems in government schools in this city. If you have read my previous posts, you know it has been a long and hard road that brought me to this point. Plans have changed, problems have been overcome, and finally my dream for the children of Udaipur will soon be made a reality.

When the district officer for education challenged me back in November to do more work for additional schools, I had not idea what that meant. What was I capable of? Would people trust me with their money? Could all those plans come together and be a real thing? Even still there was that voice in the back of my head saying "Okay no, this is going to be too hard. Seriously Morgan, it's too much for you. You did something nice for one school and you don't owe anyone anything else."

Except..... I knew that voice was wrong. I am supposed to be here and I know it is a work of God that everything has been given to me like it has. I was born into a supportive family, given a strong education, and have invaluable resources at my disposal. I have wonderful people backing me like Madhu and Dr. Sareen, Sundhiya, all of the incredible folks at Waterstep, and both my church congregations of First Baptist Somerset and Richmond. I have a desire to help as much as I can and to stop at anything short of that would be wrong.

So, everyone... The story so far. This morning I went over to the school where I installed a Waterstep M100 system back in November. I was pleased to find that not only was it working... The school had taken it and modified it to meet their needs. The tanks were now on the roof, the pipes were linked to the faucets downstairs and the M100 was fixed to the wall. The school had made the system easier to use than I even knew how to set up. So that was cool to see. They had taken ownership of it, put in their own efforts, and were proud at all they had accomplished (and so was I).

So here is the game plan. Indian filter systems are used in homes all throughout India. I have one in my own apartment in Kolkata. They also make them on a large-scale model which are used in larger buildings like schools. Since Waterstep's M100 is extremely good for areas without electricity or running water, I will try to install the one I brought with me in a rural government school. As for the other schools in Udaipur, the best and most efficient way to bring clean water to the most schools is through Indian RO filter systems. Today I am meeting with several different filter companies to find one that will meet the demands of the schools and will give me a cheap price... ish. As of now each system is estimated at around $700. Meaning I have enough to fit 4 schools with Indian RO filters. However, I want to do more than this. If I am able to raise enough for 4 or 5 more filters, this project will be recognized throughout the state of Rajathan. Not that I want any credit, but that means more attention will be given tot the government schools in Udiapur. Maybe that way they will have more aid thrown their way for books, or teachers, or opportunities in general. Who knows, but more awareness never hurt anyone.


So here begins this little adventure and I will be diligent in filling everyone in on the details. Your support, love, and prayers mean the world to me. I would not be here without you! Let's see what God has in store of this place!

!!!IMPORTANT THING!!!
I will be taking donations all during this week if you want to help further this project. It's super easy! Go online to http://waterstep.org/donate/ and specify your donation is for me! Thanks guys!