Mission Trip 2016

"Mr. Policeman, I would like to report an attempted assault. My waiter just tried to kill me by pouring city water from a pitcher into my glass."

He smiled, the waiter, that is, when I asked if he was trying to kill me, apparently knowing the danger and, then, promptly got me some bottled water.

Water in many parts of the world, not just India, is suspect with various levels of bacteria. Even in the good old USA waters differs from area to area and some could make you sick.

My handler in Delhi, good friend George and his wife, Eva, were quite ill the week before and into the week I arrived from contaminated water. So was everyone else in their apartment building. And they are used to the water . . . but not foul water entering their well.

I’m sure the water the waiter was about to give me was not bad. In fact, this hotel, like most others of its kind, boasts of water purification systems. Yet, I still refuse to drink it or even brush my teeth with the water.

I did bring with me a magic straw. It’s called “Life Straw” and claims to remove 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan cysts for up to 264 gallons. Sounds great, but I don’t plan to stick it in a puddle and start drinking anytime soon. There’s still that .0001%. 

I would put it in the water pitcher my waiter tried to kill me with. Then, again, I’ll settle for bottled water and give this straw to one of the ministries. If it’s a help, perhaps it could be a new project.