Pineridge Blog

Monday eight of us from Pine Ridge Church returned to the U.S. having installed a clean water system in the Fire Station in Genova, Guatemala. I am truly grateful for all of the hard work that went into a successful trip.

The trip was a success on many levels. First, the system worked as it was supposed to.  After a few days work together they flipped the switch, and clean water flowed. While our new friends were very grateful, more importantly they were very involved in building the system and learning about the education of their people in the proper uses of clean water. In other words, it became theirs. It was a gift with “some assembly required,” and in the process of putting it together they truly owned it.  I have little doubt that they will be able to maintain the flow of clean water for their community.

Maybe the most important part of the trip was the relationships that were formed. Those on the installation team worked shoulder to shoulder with people we had just met forming lasting bonds. Language barriers were over come, common ground was found, and real sharing became possible. One of the local men even invited us all into his home for a meal one evening.  Those who worked with the education team, including the Comandante (Chief), were eager to learn how to teach their people about how to use the water. They creatively made the activities their own.

It is both inspiring and heart breaking to realize something as simple as clean water, is rare in much of the world.  I think about that when I water my grass or wash my car with clean water from the hose. It has even caused me to say a few prayers of thanksgiving for a glass of cool, pure water on a hot day.

Peace+,
Jim