Update from Jalapa, Guatemala
Different team members will be giving updates as the project progresses. This one has been prepared by Peter Mernagh.

I cannot believe that a whole month has gone by since we left St. Catharines. I was not sure of exactly what to expect but knew that I wanted to help with the Wells of Hope Project. The drive here was an adventure in itself and it was only through the guidance of God that we arrived safely and ready to work.

This week our two drillers, Ted and James have started new wells. They are becoming more familiar with the rock formations and how to get through them but each site presents a unique challenge. Our days begin just before the sun rises at about 5:45a.m. After taking care of the usual morning routines of breakfast etc we get ready for our work. Before arriving here, I thought that you jump in the truck and have a pleasant drive to the drilling rig. But we are in the mountains, where good roads are rare, and the drive on one- lane rock roads takes some time. I cannot believe how the guys manage to get the drilling rigs onto sites where I am hard pressed to get the pick up truck in.

Part of my job on the team is to ensure that we have all the supplies we need. This includes gasoline and diesel fuel for the rigs and support trucks. Our nearest fuel supply is in Jalapa which is about 14km from camp. The road is paved but full of hairpin turns as it drops about 3000 feet into town. Along the way I pass families carrying firewood for cooking, woman and children carrying water containers, donkeys loaded with corn and people herding a cow or two. These people must work hard just to eat. Sometimes I will pick up people headed for town and always I will get waves and "ola" from the multitude of children I pass. Children fly kites and make up simple games to pass the time. School is out for vacation until January. The roads of Jalapa are narrow and crowded with bicycles, motorcycles, buses and delivery trucks. Motorcycles may have families of mom, dad and a couple of children on board. There are a multitude of tiny shops where you look for what you need.

Today I need to find a person who makes windows and doors for the school we will build. There are no yellow pages and certainly no Home Depot. I have an idea where I might find the person and eventually find his place but he is not available today. We need some threaded rod for the well caps but there is no real word in Spanish for this item and it takes several stops at various metal shops before I have success. Well almost success, they have 2 pieces but we need more. At the market I pick up fruit and vegetables and look for a 50 gallon oil drum for one of the rigs. I stop to pick up some jugs of drinking water and get some other prices for building materials.

During the day our engineer has met with representatives from the villages to discuss school construction and well progress. One of these representatives oversees some of the needs of about 4000 children ensuring that they receive some needed food and medicine.

Our team gathers for an evening meal about 6:00p.m. as darkness sets in. After giving thanks, we dig into a wholesome meal that Miriam has prepared. We are still eating some of the cabbage a neigbour has provided and I have another tomale that was passed onto us. The altitude must take something out of everyone because by 8:30 or so we are all in our tents for the evening. What a change this is from my principal's job ! Seeing the poverty and needs of these people makes one think in so many different ways about our life style in Canada. I am grateful that I am able to contribute to this project and look forward to each new day. I miss my family and sure could use a toasted bacon and tomato sandwich.

We have made incredible progress since we got to camp 2 weeks ago. One well is complete and just waiting for power. The second well awaits flow testing. Work on a 3rd well is suspended until smaller casing arrives from Canada. and two more wells were started this week . The sewing room is taking shape and will be ready soon. Some children and adults are eager to learn English and that will start soon. Despite some mud and late season rain our team is in good spirits and continues to give thanks for the prayers you send and God's help in guiding us in our endeavours.

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