To an isolated village?

Question

Im going to an isolated village(a 3hr hike, very very muddy area) 2 months from now to help poor people, we are staying there for atleast 5 days. Im worried becoz i dont know a thing about cooking, etc, basic skills and civilization would be a 6hr ride back. how am i going to make it? there is also no electricity and full of mosquitoes my instructor also said that do not drink the water and there is no bathroom. it would be hell there? any advice/tips on how to survive and prepare?

Im also going to cook for them(the poor people) and no there will be no mule, we are going to walk the very muddy area; since the transportation(car) cannot cross it due to the very soft ground. and landslides have a 30% chance of occuring said my instructor. im scared.. this is my first time to go on a trip like that.:(

Answer 1

If you are going to have to pack in supplies on your back, you in deep trouble boy!

If you have access to a pack mule, burro, or even a large radio flyer red wagon, you can pack in lots of supplies.

Two things you want to have in goodly amounts
1 - Toilet paper
2 - Water purification tablets.

As for cooking, you can either accept the idea that you will have to survive for a week on MRE's, you can get them for a couple of bucks each from a military surplus store and various on-line sources, or you are going to have to quickly learn to cook over an open fire and in dutch ovens.

Check out the links on camp cooking at: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/cooking.asp

You can cook most anything in a dutch oven, but they are heavy to pack if you don't have any means of transportation other than shank's mare.

Your best bet will be to get together with some of the other folks going in and pool your resources. I mean there is no need for five people to haul in a 30 pound dutch oven each when all of you can eat from the same two or three pots.

Depending on the weather, a hammock would be a good choice for sleeping, and be sure to carry a mosquito net to rig over your hammock or bedroll. It might also be a good idea to start taking Atrabine a week or two before the trip, and continue taking them for a week or so after your return, you really need to consult your doctor about this, but you really don't want to get malaria.

In addition to the water purification tablets, you need to get at least two water filtration canteens, along with several spare filters.

Get yourself at least one flashlight with a hand cranked generator, that will save you needing to carry spare batteries.

When you consult your doctor about anti-malarial meds, ask him to advise you on a first aid kit. If you are taking any medication on regular basis, be certain to take extra meds. Be especially certain to get anti-bacterial creams to treat cuts and scratches. Band-aids, and anti-diarrheal meds will be another good idea.

Check some of the online camping supply stores and purchase a goodly supply of dehydrated vegetables, dried eggs, and coffee, tea, or other drink mixes. Make several big batches of jerky, it will keep without refrigeration and you can use it for a stew or simply rehydrate it to be easier to chew and digest. You will also need flour, self-rising will be the least trouble, salt, and other spices. A ten pound bag should do several people for a week. Also take plenty of zip-lock freezer bags for storage of food and other necessities.

You might want to make up a big batch of hard tack for quick snacks and to keep off hunger. Properly made, hard tack will keep for weeks without refrigeration.

Take along a large bag of hard candies, such as peppermints, they will help give a little quick energy when you start to get tired and hungry in the afternoon, and will be a surefire friend maker among the village kids.

In addition to food and cooking supplies, you will need the means of starting a fire, and acquiring firewood. If you are going to be packing in on foot, a machete or a good hatchet will work, if you have transport for your supplies, take a light camp axe. As for fire starting, take a box of strike anywhere matches, some Trioxane firestarter tabs, and make yourself some homemade firestarters from toilet paper and paraffin wax, or drier lint and wax (Directions to make them are here: http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=180203;article=32615;title=Savage%2024%20Discussion%20Board)
And let us not forget eating utensils and dishes, you don't want to have to eat stew out of a pot with your bare hands. In addition to your axe and pocket knife, take a couple or three kitchen knives, you will need them for food preparation. I'd suggest you buy some inexpensive knives that you can give to the locals on leaving rather than taking your Mom's favorite kitchen knives.

This trip will be a great challenge, mentally and physically, but I'm sure it will be immensely rewarding.

God Bless you for committing to this trip. If I can offer any more advise or you have questions about what I've already posted, feel free to e-mail me.

Doc

Answer 2

We do have to use logic. God according to the bible, and Christianity is good, and He is LOVE, and the bible says only God knows the HEART. Somewhere in the apostle Paul's writings he says there are those who live according to their laws and rules and are saved. In revelations, we read that the BOOKS (plural) were opened... whatever that means, and also the Lamb's book of life, and then it is seen what kind of person this is. God in Christianity is ...RIGHTEOUS. Now, there is the fact that God knows and knew where to put people also, OK? If we say there is God, then He is in control, is this logical to you? (even if the whole thing doesn't make sense, just the logic). Nothing exists outside of God and His knowledge according to the bible. May I share with you before I 'go' here a fascinating (to me anyway) story that happened and told to me from missionaries who went to a far away tribe somewhere in the jungles of I think Brazil? The actual place is vague, but they supplied this, since they went there, and were...yes, raising some money to go back. Well, it does take money to do these things. I didn't begrudge this. They went into the jungle with their guide, OK? Very dense, very dark with all those trees, vines, undergrowth etc. And right in there was a clearing and a village. These people had studied various languages (so smart), and signing things, and they were led to the leader. Now, think with me...kind of TENSE, wouldn't you say? Some of those tribes BOIL people, cannibals eat them, so this could be IT, right? With me? (oh, yes, and they are poor and hungry also!!) The leader gives them a BIG smile, and HUGS them!! The missionaries are astounded. They are invited to eat, and the missionaries begin to tell them about the bible, and the leader puts up his hand and explains (however this was done) how he had a dream!!! And it SAID all this and more, and he told THEM the bible!!! God. That's my belief. I trust Him. With everything.