Primera Linea Methodist Church

Well No. 11

Methodist Church at

Primera Linea de Ybú Porã

Sponsors - Firebaugh/Mendota Methodist Church

Over a year ago we were visiting the Redwood Christian Park (www.redwoodcp.org/) where we presented our water well ministry. Afterwards, a couple of guys came up to us and said "we want to drill a well" - to which we said - GREAT! We discussed the details and a year later they e-mailed us that they had raised the funds and were ready to plan the trip. Finally, Garrick, Ron, Tim and Pastor Thom arrived at the Asunción airport and we headed out. The Methodist Church at Primera Linea, pastored by Felipe Vera, was next on the list for a well. BTW, Ybú Porã means "good spring".

Methodist Church of Primera Linea

Pastor Felipe and his beautiful family

The "California guys" (as we grew to know them) really jumped right to the task. They got right to work and by the time they left we had drilled our second deepest well ever - 275 feet. They were even able to get the well casing installed and backfilled. A GREAT job!

Garrick, Ron and Tim drilling ...

... and Pastor Thom laying down on the job (actually he is checking the mud pump).

Pastor Felipe and his wife Andresa have 7 children, and they were truly a delight to work with. Pastor Felipe is a farmer, and was so proud to show off his "chacra", or field. The Firebaugh/Mendota team are all from agricultural backgrounds, so they were quite interested in his activities. Pastor Felipe has two oxen (actually three - one as a spare) and a cart called a "cachape". The guys wanted to take a ride - so off we went. Andresa wouldn't hear of us going out in the sun without parasols - so she and Linda were well equipped.

A little relaxation ... an oxcart ride!!

And finally - clean, clear water starts to flow.

The project included a bathroom for the Pastor's family - actually split into separate toilet, shower and sink areas. We were also able to plumb an existing bathroom for the church congregation. Lastly - we installed a stainless steel sink in the kitchen - Andresa was so proud. It is a bit of a contradiction to have a nice sink and cook over a fire, but the Pastor now has plans to build a brick stove - with a chimney!

The Pastor's kitchen - with the new sink!

Water tank with Linda's artwork.

As always, Linda paints the tank the colors of the Paraguay flag with the Methodist cross and flame - on both sides of the tank in this case. The project has already helped to bring the community together. The public spigot at the road in front of the church is a wonderful witness of the love of Jesus - earthly water and Living Water.

For those who want to read about the technical details of the well, click here.