It’s been a few weeks since I’ve last updated and as you can see it’s been a busy few weeks too. We have one of the fish ponds (left) stocked with Tilapia that we brought from Lake Turkana and the grow bed planted as well! The second system is plumbed and construction is completed. Next week we will begin the cycling of that system to prepare it for it’s little fish friends and plants. Indeed the shadehouse is getting a much more productive look and losing it’s free space!
With the project officially running it is gaining popularity with everyone around our compound here in Lodwar. Most of the workers are interested to watch the fish eat and to see the little carrot sprouts forcing their way through their rocky media. Not to mention the people who have helped plan, build, and stock the system are happy to see it all come together.
We have some tomato starters germinating, getting ready to be transplanted within the next few weeks. The rest of the grow bed has been planted with carrots and spinach, some of which is already reaching through the gravel! The AP (aquaponics) system has started off pretty smoothly thus far!
Tiny carrot sprouts making their way out!
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4) It has been amazing to see a dream (Although to some people it’s a weird dream!) come true right before my eyes. Though it’s challenges are just beginning I’m ready to face whatever comes our way. Not to mention I am already getting very excited for harvest!
Baby Tilapia swimming quickly in the dark! (This is the best picture I could get of them at feeding time.) If you look closely you can see one of them eating!
God is moving here in Turkana and I have been blessed enough to be along for the ride! I just cannot wait to see where aquaponics fits into this movement, and I’m ready for anything. I just thank God that I am lucky enough to be here in this time doing what I’m doing. I am utterly blessed.
PS. I will be putting another post up sometime this week explaining my trip to collect the fish from Lake Turkana in detail!
Wow, Eric, there HAS been a lot of work completed in the last few weeks and the pics prove it. So very proud of you and your work there. Praying that this system continues with no problems and that the next one will be up and running soon. Also praying that your work visa will come through soon so you can put that worry behind you. NIce pics and thanks for the update. Dad
Lookin’ good Eric.
Do you wanna skype soon if you have time in between building aquaponics systems and fishing?
Hi Eric, We read all of your report on our cellphone and then came in to the activity center at Wesleyan Village to try to see the pictures. Somehow, we can only see a portion of the picture at a time (not just yours! Everyone’s!!! Drives me crazy.) But we could see the little fish and the tiny sprouts that will become carrots one day. How exciting…and could hear the excitement in your writing, as well. You are fitting in, alright. Yesterday Grandpa and I had lunch with missionaries, three of which spent most of their lives in Zambia…and a fourth single lady in Guyana, where she is going back for 3 months the l2th.
At this house, they took me around and on walls I saw a full alligator skin, a full lion skin, a panther with it’s head still on, a zebra. There was an end table made from an elephants foot and leg (2 ft. tall) and African things all over the house. Needless to say, I thought of you.
Talked to Adrienne this weekend and she told me about being photographed by a friend for his portfolio. I hope I get to see some of those. Scott will arrive here to be with us a week on Tuesday, and Wednesday morning our Dana is coming. We are so excited. We have not seen Dana for a year and four months, the longest time ever.
Well, I must go. Heard from your dad that you got your work visa. So glad. Love you, Eric. Your dad always says he is proud of you. Well, we are too. Love, Grandma Pitts