Digging Deep in Honduras By our plans: Well-drilling falls short. By God’s plans: Mission accomplished


BY JACK HABERER S


even of us FPCAers returned on Sunday, March 31, from a week’s effort to dig a water well for the village of Mezapa, Honduras, in partnership with Living Water International. We drilled a 4-inch-


diameter hole to a great water source at a depth of 95 feet. But our attempts to ream the hole to the required width of 7 inches were thwarted by a powerfully strong rock shelf between 12 and 18 feet deep.


We left the site without completing our mission. We did not despair. A super-high-powered drill was soon to arrive, and drilling may be completed by Tidings’ press time. Villagers soon will be drinking fresh, clear water.


Our disappointment was countered throughout our sojourn as this rural village of 200-plus families overflowed with joy just to embrace these visitors from the north. Teir enthusiastic and sincere welcome turned our whimpers of frustration into tears of joy. Tis was especially in evidence during recess as 150 elementary students poured outside to play with us, given that drilling was taking place on their school playground. Teir love was guileless: pure and simple.


As we waited in the Honduran airport for our return flight, we received an email from Karen Ensley, a leader of FPCA’s International and National Missions Team. It was extremely timely, as our emotions ran high and low before boarding the plane. In it she wrote:


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As you return home today, I wanted you to know that we have been with you in spirit throughout your journey … Te smiles on your faces and the faces of the adults and children you befriended showed how you were sharing the love of Jesus through your interactions. We were dismayed when we learned of the drilling troubles, and prayed you might find clean water. When we read that Living Water will need to continue the work, we could only imagine your disappointment; yet, it is my hope that you will ponder God’s reason for having you answer His call.


You have shown love for your brothers and sisters. You have taught and shared the Gospel. You have helped Living Water to successfully eliminate poor well sites, and we rejoice in knowing that Living Water will continue the effort and will eventually bring clean, safe water to “your village.”


Yet I wonder if there’s more in God’s plan. He brought you there to witness firsthand the need for His people to have clean water. Why?


C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” I wonder, will the hardship you faced help fuel your determination to help those who thirst? Will memories of the people in the village and the sweet smiles of the children spur you to serve as God’s messengers, so others will know what you have seen?


So there it was—a question posed to each of us: Why? Why were we called? What was God’s plan for us being there? Here are the responses from our team.


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