Our “operating Partner” on this project is the elementary school in a small village named San Marcos. Jim and Bob are to instruct the locals on the installation, maintenance and operation of the water purification system. Linda and I are to train the teachers and parents on hygiene and use of purified water so that they can in turn teach the community who will have access to the system.

The men are quietly going about assembling the system using a lot of pictures and gestures and trying out phrases of encouragement to one another in English and Spanish.

The women arrive in their best clothing and giggle about sitting at real desks. We open each lesson with scripture references to Christ as the living water. Since they are very familiar with the Bible stories this establishes a deep connection between us.  As our lessons continue over three days it is apparent that they have all grasped the new concept that a lot of their illness is caused by bad water. We teach thru scripture, songs, crafts and skits. There is no sound sweeter than their laughter. We stress the use of pure water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and caring for baby. It will take many months before every home embodies the practices but we will return in January to visit our friends and hear how this project is going.

48 hours later we arrive back in Ohio to hear the news, “They are drinking the water in San Marcos!”