Monday in Honduras

Thanks for the football updates. We were actually able to watch the game last night, and while we didn’t understand anything they were saying, but we knew our man Brent would come thru.

Sorry for the lack in number of pictures...we're having a hard time loading them with the connection we have.

On our way to the village this morning…we decided that our scenic bus tours were going so well, that maybe more planning needed to be completed on the front end before we could be ready to begin work on the well. Once the feasibility study is completed, and the drainage analysis sent in for permit approval…maybe then we will be ready to get underway. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the site prep wasn’t even started, and no Digger’s Hotline ticket was on file. Coupled with rumors of a potential OSHA audit…it was pretty much the same as Monday morning in the States on ANY construction project. Unfortunately, in order to solve a problem that we didn’t even know we had, the cost of the well project went up 300%. Good thing we have return flight tickets in hand…

In truth, the entire team was really itching to get things going. We’re working in a village about 40 minutes from our hotel, and it’s not nearly as remote as the picture many of us had in our minds. I mean, there’s actually a paved road into town! That doesn’t mean that significant, basic needs are everywhere. Women are washing dishes and clothes in the river, random animals are wandering around town, and people are living very meagerly. There was a sense of excitement with the residents, and we certainly received a warm welcome.

As far as the well goes…we did start out at least a half day behind. The local community is to have some prep work done, including digging pits to mix the mud slurry used in the drilling process. We got right to work, with local men quickly joining in once they saw what we were doing. The drilling started late morning, and progressed very smoothly. We finished the day when bedrock was encountered, down about 75’, getting as far as planned in spite of the late start. Tomorrow morning we take the 4” hole, and ream it out to 8”, then install the well casing. Wednesday will basically involve “cleaning” the well, to get clean water flowing, and then pouring a cap. Thursday morning we will be installing the pump, and then having a dedication ceremony.

The hygiene training also appears to off to a good start, as far as our “no habla espanol” minds can tell. The morning was spent walking thru the community, to get a feel for how people are living, what immediate needs are, and to start making a presence known. The first session of teaching and games was insane…so many kids with so many bright smiles. It’s very humbling to be invited into these people’s lives, and knowing the God’s plan in having us here in this place and time will make a tremendous impact in the future.

And oh, Peru Team…when it comes to the “hottest” team in Latin America, it’s not even close. If you take the sum of the individual “hots”, we certainly have you beat. Not only do we have 2 more team members, we also have Lew and Rita from Living Waters, then Emilio and Roberto who are also working on the well, and then Yadira who’s working with the Hygiene team…If you’re not seeing temps over 110, I don’t think you can surpass us in “hotness” when you add it all together.