This incredible story is 3+ years in the making. This beautiful village is nestled in the mountains of Gualan Guatemala, and is home to about 30 families. There are abandoned wells all over the village that have either dried up or are contaminated because of their location to run off. There was a community well system that collected water from a spring under a tree. This system did not provide enough water for the community.
What do you do if you live in a country where the resources and help are scarce. What do you do when you don’t have the money or know where to turn? You take what little you have and make it work along with all the faith you have and pray. You ask God to provide clean water for your community and your children. And you continue to do this until God answers your prayers in HIS perfect timing.
I have the privilege of leading several mission trips to Guatemala each year. The groups vary in size and the activities range from visiting and praying with families, to building and construction projects. In the current village we have already provided 5 wells with over 2 miles of water lines, and dozens of sinks. It seems one of the tasks and talents God has given us is the ability to engineer clean water systems, and to make the impossible happen for those who thought it was impossible. This is a faith building exercise for them and us!
Currently it takes from a month to several months to build a well in Guatemala. The reason, they are all hand dug with no machinery other than hand tools. One of the dreams and visions I have had was to purchase a portable well drilling rig that will allow us to do more wells, quicker, cheaper, and safer.
During a recent exploratory vision trip with a team scoping out a future mission trip for their group, we heard about this village that needed water. We drove up to the village to scope it all out with the visiting mission team. It was my first trip to this village also. Upon arrival, as usual in Guatemala, we were warmly greeted by the local Pastor and some folks from the village.
As we began to talk and see what the needs were, the local Pastor told us that they have been praying for over 3 years for God to help them with their water problems. Giovanny and I just looked at each other and smiled, because we knew that God had brought us to them to help. Before we departed, we told the Pastor that we would be back later to further investigate how we can help and see where we might be able to put in a good well for them.
The following week after our team had left we went back out to the village with a well expert to find the veins of water. We identified several good locations that would provide enough water for the entire village to make a new well. Before departing, I shared a word of testimony with the leaders and youth that had come out to follow us around. I told them that God heard their prayers and that HE sent us to help them. We have the experience and knowledge how to engineer a clean water system for a village. My promise to them was that we would begin to work on a plan right away and trust God to provide.
About 15 minutes later we were back off the mountain and just dropped off our local well expert when I received a call. The caller asked me how they can donate a large sum through our web site. They went on to explain that they would like to donate to our clean water or living waters project as well as the clinic under construction. I again looked over at Giovanny and just smiled and shook my head, he was unaware of the conversation taking place. I explained to the donor on the phone what had just taken place and how we just left the village telling them we were moving forward in faith, only to now receive his call to donate the money for the entire well and any left over for the clinic.
WOW GOD! INCREDIBLE!! Was the words that I uttered in Spanish to Giovanny. Still shaking my head with a giddy feeling. Because I have seen God move and provide in spectacular ways in the past, I had no doubt that HE was going to provide what we needed to bring water to this village. I just did not expect it 15 minutes after we took that step of faith! Oh me of little faith! Now Giovanny on the other hand, God really messed him up in a good way. As a result of this miracle of provision in such a rapid manner, and just the way it all played out, needless to say our faith has been even further increased. In addition to this, there was so much more that took place in the days to follow that again, built our faith……but that is another story, for another time.
During this time in Guatemala my Daughter in Law was visiting her family in Guatemala with 2 of my Grandsons. So we got together Sunday afternoon to give them a tour of all our work, as well as take some shoes and clothing back up to this village. Watching my Grandson interact with the other children was precious and just melted my heart. During this visit I was able to announce and proclaim the goodness of God and how through their prayers, God led us to them, and HE led a donor to us at the perfect time to pay for the well. God’s timing is always perfect!
A few weeks later we started the process of making the well. As I stated earlier, everything is done by hand, with hand tools. This well was no different with the exception of we were going down through solid rock. The rock was so hard where the water vein was, that we had to find another vein and start over. The second location was not as hard, but still a challenge to say the least. We rented a jack hammer for them, which ultimately also broke. This was the toughest well we have made yet. It took a good 3 months of work. But praise God we hit a good vein of water.
We are still hoping and praying to one day mechanize this entire process with a portable well drilling rig. Which will help us provide more Living Water Projects, providing clean water in Jesus name! The current cost of each water system, averages between $5500-$7500. If you would like to donate towards a well system or the well drilling rig, just see the donation information on our web site.
