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First
Update From Ted
October 23, 2004
So much has happened in such a short time. I will spare you the
details and restrict myself to highlighting the major events since
our departure on October 4th. All members of the team agree that
the most powerful moment was when the Wells of Hope convoy drove
by Denis Morris High School and were met there by the entire staff
and student body. The tremendous support demonstrated by the school
community was a great way to begin the long journey that lay ahead
of us. We all left Denis Morris teary eyed.
We crossed the U.S. border with relative ease. Our first overnight
stop was in Mansfield Ohio where the Knights of Columbus hosted
the entire team. We continued to make good time as we crossed the
United States with the Knights of Columbus making sure that we were
well fed and comfortable for each evening stop. They even provided
the finances that would cover the cost of fuel for the day. Their
enthusiasm and support for the Wells of Hope project left a lasting
impression on each one of us.
With some minor mechanical problems along the way, our first major
set back came at the U.S. / Mexican border. It took us four days
of prayer and persistence before our convoy was allowed to cross
through Mexico. This seriously cut in to our travel time as this
only left us three days to make Guatemala City. Three of our volunteer
drivers had to catch their flight back to Canada which was booked
for the coming Saturday. This put us in the difficult position of
having to drive well into the evening. We had hoped to avoid traveling
in the dark through Mexico as we were advised that there are some
risks involved and the possibility of meeting bandits along the
road was strong. We began to rely heavily upon the walkie talkie
system that was provided to us by Talk Wireless. Each vehicle had
a radio that enabled us to keep the eight vehicles in the convoy
together. As soon as one had trouble, the seven remaining vehicles
pulled over to help resolve the situation. The sense of teamwork
was very strong. This helped to solidify the special bond that had
developed over the long days on the road between all the team members.
Once again, prayer and persistence paid off. We were at the Guatemalan
/ Mexican border early Friday morning. Much to our dismay, we faced
a long line of vehicles parked, waiting for the border officials
to open and begin the paper work process. Everyone but our team
seemed to be relaxed and used to this process as a long string of
shacks resembling eating establishments had been erected to provide
for the needs of the hungry drivers locked in this line-up. Young
entrepreneurs walked the line selling small bags of peanuts, young
boys offering to shine shoes, even to wash the rode dust off your
vehicle as you waited in line. I was so impressed with these young
eager beavers, already taking on the responsibility of working to
feed themselves, that I agreed to allow them to wash the pick-up
that carried my family and I. It was quite a learning experience
for my children to see these kids already fending for themselves.
Making your bed and cleaning your room seems so frivolous compared
to the responsibility that these children embraced at such an early
age.
By noon our Guatemalan contact, Isaura Escobar, had arrived by bus.
She began her journey from Guatemala City at 4 a.m., armed with
all the proper documentation that she had been preparing for months,
which would allow us to cross the border with as few complications
as possible. With the help of Isaura and approximately $250.00 of
certain undocumented "fees", we were on the Guatemalan
side by 3 p.m. We still had many hours of driving that lay ahead
of us before we would make Guatemala City and the airport. The evening
came and it began to rain heavily as we pushed for the city. With
the darkness, unlit, hole infested roads that were littered with
speed bumps, torrential rains and the fatigue of a long day at the
border, each driver was challenged to keep the vehicle safely on
the road. By 2 a.m. the last vehicle was safely locked in a secure
compound in Guatemala City. All fifteen of us fell asleep on the
floor of Isaura's home and medical facilities that catered to the
poor who were forced to live on the streets in the center of town.
No sooner were Rob, Marcel and Dave awake, then they were driven
to the airport for their return flight home. Gunnard and Peter accompanied
them with one of the buses that we drove down from Canada. It was
difficult to say goodbye to the three guys. We all had to wipe away
a tear as we put our hands together for one final morning prayer
which had become our daily practice at the beginning each new driving
day for the last two weeks. In the streets of Guatemala City we
said our prayer and goodbyes. While at the airport, they also picked
up my mother who flew in with George and James (the second drilling
team) to complete what would be our mission team for the next few
months. While the others did airport duty, Bob, Mark and myself
began to move some of the equipment to start setting up our camp
in the Jalapa region.
After a relaxing Sunday in Guatemala City, Monday morning we moved
off the floor of Isaura's house. We packed our gear once again and
prepared to move everyone and the final pieces of equipment to our
new base camp. Even though Jalapa is a short distance kilometer
wise from Guatemala City (110 kms.), it took better than four hours
to complete the steep, mountainous drive with the heavy drilling
equipment
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| Hundreds
turn out to welcome the caravan at Laguna del Pito |
As
we approached the perimeters of the Jalapa region, what lay before
our eyes cannot be accurately described in words. People from each
of the 30villages where we plan to drill over the next seven months,
lined the mountain road waving flags and holding up welcome signs
written in Spanish for "the Canadians." Each new village
that we passed on the way up the mountain set off a string of firecrackers
along the roadside to welcome the passing convoy. I believe that
neither the Pope, nor the Queen of England had ever received such
a heartfelt welcome! Once again the Wells of Hope crew was dealing
with a very memorable and emotional moment.
It took the first two days to set up a functional camp. We are fortunate
to have electricity in this village, which allows us to utilize
some of the conveniences of home such as a coffee maker or electrical
tools. We have been able to acquire a source of clean water in the
town of Jalapa, which is a 40 min. drive from our camp. Peter and
Gunnard are responsible for hauling water from town to meet our
camp needs. The two drilling rigs have begun to drill in the first
two villages near camp.
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| Installing
the pump on the first well |
We
hope to be able to report positive results
in the next few weeks. Please keep the Wells of Hope team in your
prayers as we deal with the many obstaclesthat challenge the success
of the mission. Your servant in Christ……Ted
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