July 2, 2010

Source: HCJB Global (written by Haley Hackworth and Kathy Lee)

The week of June 14 became a life-changing experience for Haley Hackworth, a summer intern with HCJB Global. She and seven other interns in Ecuador joined a work team in the Quichua community of Pigulca to help the rural residents create a clean water source and lead the children in vacation Bible school. The team included two water technicians from HCJB Global's clean water project ministry.

Pigulca had no clean water and only a few spigots for several dozen families. Community leaders asked for help last year and have been working closely with HCJB Global's clean water projects team since then, making plans to rectify their water system.

The objective during the team's weeklong stay was to protect three springs and hold Bible classes and activities with the children. Team members worked alongside the men and women of Pigulca, creating a long "bucket brigade" to pass rocks, concrete and sand from the top of the hill down to the springs where the supplies were needed.

On their last night in the community, the people expressed thanks to the team for their work, their encouragement and for instilling God's Word in their children's lives.

"In that moment I wished I could stay there," said Hackworth. "Stinky, without a shower, sleeping on a dusty floor, working in the mud, being with these people.... Their acceptance of us-total strangers-taught me more about my Christian faith than I think we taught them. They gave so much, and loved us, despite not knowing us."

British missionary Martin Harrison, who directs Vozandes Community Development, added that "God is already working in the lives of the Quichua community members as well as in the lives of the team members."

A woman-one of only five believers in the community-wept as she implored her fellow Quichuas not to be afraid of the gospel that had been shared with them throughout the week.

From Quito, Katja Jeroma, who is coordinating HCJB Global's summer internship program with her husband, Axel, expressed thanks to the clean water projects team-Bruce Rydbeck, Martin and Ruth Harrison, Tannia Lascano, Efraín Morocho and Luis Alfonso Maigua-for all their help.

"The students definitely stepped out of their comfort zone by working on this project and hopefully got a lifelong impact," Katja said.

Sheila Leech, HCJB Global's vice president of international healthcare, was also pleased with the team's efforts on the water project. "This is what it's all about ? God working in hearts ... across cultures! Praise be to Him!"