Nicaragua Water Well Trip

I can’t believe it’s almost been a week since returning from Nicaragua. This was my third trip to Nic and the second one specifically to work on water wells. Here’s a short synopsis of what happened on each of the days we were gone:

1. Sunday – Fly from OKC to Houston, Houston to Managua. Spend the night in a hotel across from the airport.
2. Monday – Wake up and begin traveling from Managua to Somotillo. Pick up our two translators. Go to Chinandega and scout out where we can purchase pipe for one of the pumps. Go to Cayanlipe to scout out the progress on the hand dug well. Go to Somotillo to unload and get ready for tomorrow.
3. Tuesday – Go purchase metal, concrete, sand, gravel, rebar and other items for well cap. Fabricate well cap structure. Travel to Cayanlipe to mix and pour concrete for well cap. Head back to Somotillo for preparations for next day.
4. Wednesday – Head to Chinandega to pick up galvanized pipe and India Mark II well pump. Drive to Leon to pick up pipe threader for India Mark II. Go back to Somotillo to prepare for next day.
5. Thursday – Go to Cayanlipe to place well cap, install Water4 pump, install India Mark II pump, play with children, dedicate well, celebrate with other believers at worship service.
6. Friday – Scout out next possible water well trip to a town called Jovitas. Return tools to Chinandega and Leon. Stay in Managua for the night.
7. Saturday – Fly from Managua to Houston, Houston to OKC.

Of course there are many details that I’ve left out like:

• locking the key in the truck
• making countless trips to Chico’s for parts
• going to the grocery store for water and gatoraide
• eating late at night while threading pipe
• “brown outs” at night and during the day and having to deal with being hot at night and no power for electrical equipment
• buying diesel from a “gas station” on the side of the road via a bucket and funnel
• trying to not step in the land mines from pigs, cows, chickens, dogs, and all other sorts of God’s creation
• being asked by Alan one of our translators if I take steroids…does it look like it?
• having a great time doing God’s work with 5 AWESOME men

If you have never been on a mission trip, then you are missing out on one of the BEST experiences in your life. I honestly can’t wait to go back and do it all over again.