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November 10th, 2018

11/10/2018

Bob goes to Honduras

Greetings to all,
As most of you know, I recently returned from a trip to Honduras, and it was so very rewarding in so many wonderful ways. The WAPIs are distributed in many isolated locations in rural Honduras. In every village we visited there was evidences of contaminated water. Most of the villages water sources are from mountain springs and heavy rain runoff. It has come to my attention that Honduras suffered flooding recently due to heavy rain and that Proyecto Aldea Global, PAG (Project Global Village) was involved in the relief effort, I offered our surplus of WAPIs to assist in their recovery effort.

The WAPIs works, folks!
Time after time we were blessed in our effort with our research for the units given out in the past two years. Every Botiquine (small First Aid stations) had WAPIs to share with the local residences, some actually need more, they had run out, so I shared some we had brought along.

Traveling all night by air Friday and into early Saturday took its toll, I was tired. Met my traveling companion, Jim Dunn, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, then off to Honduras we journeyed.

Saturday, we arrived at San Pedro Sula around 10 am, and arrived at our final destination in Belen Gualcho around eight pm. We stopped at our favorite Pizza place for lunch and into the Honduran mountains we went. Once off the beaten path, the countryside is breath taking. So many colors of green with rugged mountain structures growing the local flavor of coffee or cane sugar.

Sunday was rest and recuperation from the long two-day travel. We got some supplies from the local market place. No stores as we know them, and off to set up for Monday’s adventure of WAPI making.

As the photo shows, several PAG interns participated in assembling WAPIs with locals from previous year. It was a nice reunion for all. The only thing missing was my wife, Karen. Tears of joy and sadness were shared by all.

The workshop went very well and the Hondurans caught on very quickly. Each person went through every step learning the best way to do the task at hand. As they worked through each stage you could see a common sense of knowing this is saving lives, especially after what the Hondurans has been through. Many villages have been completely washed away from flooding that occurred recently. They made 200 units that day and the new hot air heat tools performed amazingly. Their WAPIs got better and better by each unit. They got it, their WAPIs look beautiful. Two different groups from different communities, Belen Guaqlcho and Sequatepecky, are about three hours away. So now there are two different groups that assemble and distribute the WAPIs in this section of Honduras. Our WAPIs are going where they are really needed.

I must give thanks to our Lord and Savior for His guidance along our path. He has opened my eyes to His Holy Spirit's presence in this whole affair. And many thanks to all of you for helping to make this all possible.

I was invited to go to Honduras by Tom Carter from Agua Pura Para El Pueblo. Tom and I have been associated for many years promoting clean water and sanitation in some of the poorest communities throughout Central America. Tom asked me to go as a representative of Agua Pura. I am honored and humbled. Thank you, Tom.

Testing water played a big part of our expedition into Honduras. Jim Dunn went one way and I went another. With Nolvin, our guide and leader of the group, we saw the Honduran countryside. Nolvin is a wonderful man who knows no limit for a four-wheel drive, and in the Honduran mountains that is a good thing, mud roads and all.

All the water we recovered tested positive for E-coli contamination which causes diarrhea. There is little or no knowledge of chlorine. They know the name chlorine but are unfamiliar with its usages. In time they will learn.

There is much work to do in helping the local residents of Honduras and they show their gratitude for any assistance shared. These are loving people and very compassionate. Seeing the joy in their hearts it is hard to hide the love we all share for one another.

As we enter a season of thanksgiving we should consider the many blessings we have and may take for granted, like something so simple as turning on the water.
Blessings to you all.
Bob