Initially this project was not on the schedule to complete until later this year. The plan was to extend the water line about 200 yards and install another sink. Giovanny and I decided to drive on down the old railroad line to see how far it goes, and what was down there. Neither of us had gone past the last house because it looked like it ended in a drop off. As we made our way in our truck to the drop off, we found a very steep hill that we could drive down. We locked in the 4×4 and very slowly made our way down the steep hill, and back up the other side that seemed even steeper.
To our surprise there seemed to be a whole other village on the other side of the ravine. As we made our way to the end we stopped and introduced ourselves and asked where they got their water from. We were taken down a hill, through a narrow fence to a pasture area. Here we saw a small piece of tin covering a small hole in the ground. This was where they all got their water from. The water looked clear, and to them because it looked clear, it was safe to drink. Unfortunately, as with all open systems like this, looks are very deceiving and can be deadly in the right conditions.
As Giovanny and I looked at each other, we knew that we had to do something. I told Giovanny, my ministry partner, and Elida, who lives in the village and works for us in organizing activities, keeping tabs on everything for us, let’s get the folks here together for a quick meeting. So Elida went hut to hut letting everyone know to come quickly for a community meeting. We introduced ourselves to them and explained that we had a well that God was supplying a bountiful supply of fresh clean water to, and that we were going to extend the line to here. The folks got excited and were very thankful. We explained that we would supply all the materials, we just needed them to dig the ditch down the middle of the road.
Elida organized teams that evening, and about 5:30 AM the next morning, the first crew of about 30-40 people got started with their shovels and pics. As the morning drew into day, the sun got hotter and hotter, this did not stop them from their task. They had a mission. You see no one else stepped up to help them. No government help, or any other local organization even knew these folks existed. But God did, because HE place them on our hearts. And for the last 4 years, our mission has been the same, to give a hand up in Jesus name, helping to break the cycle of poverty through hand up programs like this and education. The folks knew that their hard work would bring a reward of safe water, so they pushed through the heat.
The next morning by the time we had all the materials picked up, it was no surprise to me how far they already had the ditch dug. You see, I know these folks on a personal level. I have been witness to their hard work, and over the last 4 years have gotten to know them. They are good people, hard working, and love their families just as you and I do. They have the same struggles as you and I do, only on a different level. Life is hard for them, but at the same time, life is much simpler for them. Their lives are not full of stuff that really doesn’t matter in the long run. We let our stuff get in the way sometimes, and find ourselves complaining when someone takes to long of a shower, and we run out of hot water, or some other trivial complaint. Folks, be thankful you had water to take a shower, and it was hot.
What an absolute blessing and work horse this truck has been for our ministry. We have carried just about everything with this truck. Praise God, through the blessings of my business here in Virginia, and a business I started in Guatemala to provide good jobs, we have been able to pay this truck off, and are in the process of purchasing another one soon. One of the visions God put on Giovanny and I’s heart four years ago, was to find a way to start a business that would help the folks we are working with. Over the last few years I have been working on all the legal stuff with my attorney in Guatemala to start Guat Sat Comunicaciones, S.A.. Through this new communications company we are providing high speed internet to communities who never had it before. Needless to say, we are growing very rapidly and can not keep up with the demand. This is because we have dedicated this company to the Lord, and using the funds to help further our ministry outreach in Guatemala. Even more exciting, and completely not on our radar at the time, we have already employed a young man from our mission full time, because he has shown such a great potential and interest in learning. In addition, when we need additional general labor help for putting up our communication towers, we again hire folks from our mission. Again, just another desire of our heart to help the folks, God provided in an unexpected way. Our goal is to continue to educate and train these youth, and eventually provide them good paying jobs working for us. Thus bringing this project full circle and continuing to move forward in other parts of Guatemala.
Sorry for getting side tracked from the main story, but you see all of what we do, is HIS story, and I get excited, when I see how marvelous our Lord Jesus works! So to continue, by the time we got back with the truck load of materials, the folks already had the ditch dug a long ways. So we unloaded, and got right to work gluing the water lines together and placing in the ditch. A short time later after the glue was dried the folks came right behind us closing the ditch back up, just as quickly as they opened it. Below is Elida, Ronaldo, and Giovanny. Ronaldo is the young man, almost 17, who I was talking about above who works full time for us. Also, below is a panoramic photo showing both directions of the ditch as far as you can see each way.
On the other side of the ravine, water has washed away a lot of the dirt so when they were digging the trench they hit the old railroad ties. They dug some of them up, and I am sure they will put them to good use.
In about 4-5 days time, the folks dug by hand a little over a mile of ditch and closed it back in. In addition, they build 6 concrete pads for the new sinks that we installed. This project was hard work for everyone, yet along the way, we took some time to also have some fun. While I was officially purging this section of the line of dirt, air, and any other debris, once all the dirt was out, I had a little fun with the children.
When all the hard work was completed, and the system was flushed with bleach to kill any bacteria, it was then safe for them to use. For the first time in these folks lives, they have a safe water source close by. We continue to praise God for keeping our wells full of water, so we can praise HIM and point folks to the Living Water, who gives us each breath.
With the completion of this project, we have 3 wells and almost 2 miles of water lines connecting the entire village. Projects like this are not cheap, but we can do them economically in a sustainable way. In total we have invested over $30,000 in bringing clean water to an entire village of over 600 people. We have developed a system that works and is easy to maintain. These wells provide life giving water, and a way we can point people to Jesus, who is the ultimate life giver, through salvation. So what kind of price tag can you put on that? Soon we will be starting on a new project for a neighboring village. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please click on the Donation Information tab on our web site.
