WorldWide Drilling Resource

49 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2014 Water for Life International by Tim Rasmussen Things to Do Each year at the start of the drilling season, there are many things which must be done to get ready for the drilling crew arriving soon to begin work. There are mechanical problems which develop from the lack of use the vehicles expe- rience during the time when we are not there. We also allow other groups to use our facilities and sometimes equip- ment, and this can create headaches in addition to the mechanical ones. This year was no different. When Gary arrived and began to sort things out, he discovered the usual few bat- teries needed to be replaced (five, so far this year). There was a bad starter on the '94 F-250 4x4. (This is not so easy to find in Guatemala.) Then, when they were ready to load casing on the truck, Gary learned someone had inadvertently set the emergency brake several months earlier; the result was it was frozen solid. The left front air brake cam on one of the International drill trucks was too corroded to release the shoes. It was locked so tight the tire skidded on the concrete shop floor. It had to be disas- sembled and the axle drawn back to get it off. It was a full-day job. Gary also found a bad alternator on the same truck. Pat Clark called with the voltage, amperage, model, and year of truck. Rene (where we buy oil, batteries, tires, etc.) had one out of the city within two days. We discovered the fuel filter hous- ing was cracked and leaking on the same unit. It took five days to get a new one. The old and very tired Clark forklift started after charging the battery, but the transmission would not move it. It had low transmission fluid (seven quarts), but no sign of a leak. We have always known the concrete floor was not the best (hand-mixed), but perhaps we've come onto a great advantage - a porous floor that won't hold a puddle. Perhaps it makes cleaning easier?!! The apartments needed thorough cleaning due to some visitors who did not leave them as they found them. The showerheads were occluded with calcium and it takes a needle and 20 minutes to clean each one. There were also a couple areas to clean in the shop where the drill crew, trying to stay on the job as long as possible, came in and dropped everything to run to catch a bus or plane, which are a moldy pile of used gloves and rain coats. There was compromised welding rod because it had been left out of the fridge; oxy-acety- lene regulators that must be cleaned; any little hole in equipment or hoses was sealed off with the mud from dauber wasps... Photos of some of the corroded items. Gary discovered we couldn’t ex- change dollars at the bank. The ATM machine will be about the only option. Gary put money (up to $3000 once per month only) in his account and could get quetzals (Guatemalan currency) after 24 hours. The voracious termites are destroying the kitchen cabinets in the duplex. They will fall down soon. Berny said to take them down and build with cement. We will need to do that. The list goes on, but this column space does not. Thanks to all of you who help and are helping. We invite you to come and join us in the adventure of helping others. The only qualification necessary is a willing heart that God supplies. We will supply the rest. From Guatemala, Gary says: “Thanks for all you do!” If you would like to help, please contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-466-5075 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com & ! $ # & # " ! $ # & # & " & ! " & " $ # & & ! & " & & "! " ! & " " ! ! ! !% $ # "! !