Go Beyond

   Monte Rico, El Salvador

   Six days ago I had never heard of Monte Rico, a small village of about three hundred close-knit neighbors. Hidden away in the lush green hills of western El Salvador, you have to be going there to see it because it’s off the beaten path. And, unless you know where you’re going you will miss it. There are no signs telling you that you have arrived. The homes of Monte Rico are scattered and nestled among the hills. Very few of these homes have electricity, none have running water, and most are in some state of disrepair. But, the great thing is that everybody knows everybody and kids are safe walking around the area. Because people are not hypnotized by television or other media, they actually spend time outside of their homes, talking and interacting with neighbors. The folks here know the meaning of community.

   Five days ago our water-well drilling team arrived in Monte Rico. Drilling equipment, an assortment of pipes and tools, and our group of volunteers from America have been the talk of the town. For five days they have watched us work from early morning to late in the afternoon. A cacophony produced by our drill rig, generators, and compressors have filled the air for hours at a time. Folks have stopped by the drill site to chat or to just sit and watch the activity. Every school kid in the vicinity has stopped by after classes to join us for Pringles, peanuts, and an assortment of other goodies. The folks here have made our time enjoyable and memorable.

   Two days ago we worked very late into the night. Motivated by the faces and smiles of our new friends, we didn’t mind the extra hours at all. Meeting the folks of Monte Rico has transformed this into more than a project for us. Shaking hands and learning names has transformed this into a purposeful mission to provide our new friends with clean drinking water – and, to share the story of Jesus, the living water, with them. We understand much better now than when we started how our work will impact the beautiful and gracious people of Monte Rico. Our team worked with determination, unwilling to allow anything to stop us from giving the gift of water and the Word to our friends here.

   A few hours ago we completed the water-well and the folks of Monte Rico showed up to help us dedicate it to God. What I witnessed earlier today was more than the completion of a project. I witnessed the beginning of something new in each of our hearts. Bonded by the experiences of the past few days, I watched the people of Monte Rico and the volunteers of our team sing and pray and cry together. As the first stream of water came up from the depths a man behind me whispered in Spanish, “Blessed be the name of our great God.” We have given more than the gift of clean water to this community. This water-well represents the redemption of time for those who spend several hours fetching water for their households every day – time that can now be invested in family and education and other pursuits.

   In a few more hours our team will head for the airport in San Salvador to return to our respective homes. We are all physically tired, spiritually refreshed, and much more grateful for the access to clean water that we all enjoy. I am especially grateful for the Living Water staff and for the great time I have enjoyed with my fellow volunteers – most of whom I met only a week ago. And, I am thankful for the people of Kingsland who provided the funds for this water-well. That’s an investment that will yield dividends from now to eternity. It’s been a great week. I rejoice with and for the people of Monte Rico – people loved by God and deserving of a cup of clean water in Jesus’ name.