WorldWide Drilling Resource

41 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2015 Water for Life International by Tim Rasmussen Craig Gresham is from Poulsbo, Washington. He is the owner of Gresham Well Drilling. He came to Guatemala to drill wells with us last year, and volunteered again to lend his skill and talents to our efforts. Since he is “retired,” he has been spending a lot of time at his seaside home in Hermosillo, Mexico, where he enjoys fishing and the easy life while visiting with friends he has met over the years. He left from Hermosillo to come to our headquarters in northeast Guatemala for this drilling season. He made plans to fly from Hermosillo to Mexico City, then on to Guatemala City. But the volcano near Guatemala City ruled differently. It chose this time to erupt and fill the sky with abrasive ash such that airlines would not or could not fly into Guatemala City. Craig’s plane flew from Mexico City, but it could not land in Guatemala City due to the volcano, so he re- turned to Mexico City for the night. Not much progress so far! The next morning, Craig headed back to the airport. When he found it was still impossible to get into Guatemala City, he decided to try to get to Guatemala, but avoid Guatemala City. It meant he had to fly to Houston, Texas; then fly to Belize. Because of the schedule, he would have to spend the night in Houston. Once he got to Belize, he could fly on TACA airlines and get to Flores, Guatemala, which is in northeast Guatemala and about two hours from our shop. This last plan worked, although it meant two more days of travel. In all, it was four days traveling, three times the distance, and double the cost. But it was worth it all. I asked Craig what the best thing was about being part of Water for Life. His answer was quick, “Seeing the people and the appreciation of the people for the water that we can provide.” Water for Life now provides water to about 25,000 people. Our pumps are at work in more than 70 villages and locations. We are committed to a sustainable water supply for these villages, so we main- tain the pumps all year-round and keep them in operation. Our donors and vol- unteers make all of this happen. In fact, without them, none of this would be happening. We provide the place and the means, but it takes a person with a heart to help others who really makes Water for Life work. Thank you to all. If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-466-5075 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com 1-( 5-// "<67)06 1' $) %5) ()(-'%7)( 72 7,) :%7)5 :)// -1(8675< %576 /2'%7)( %1( 63%5)6 3529-()( *25 );-67-1+ )48-30)17 @ 527%5< 7%&/)6 12: 352(8')( :-7, /%5+) 5-1+ +)%5 %1( 3-1-21 ))( !)3%-56 !27%5< 7%&/)6 > 8( 38036 > %.25 '20321)176 21A7 *25+)7 5()5 <285 '23< 2* ?#5%16*)5 2* #)',12/2+<@ :5-77)1 &< 2,1 A 632-5 $ ,)67187 9) 1-( ,21) > %; ::: )1-((5-// '20 = ;'-7-1+ ',%1+)6=