Pozos para Todos

In January of 2013 when we came back to Honduras for the second time, after having been here for two months the previous year studying Spanish at the Spanish Institute of Honduras which we now own, one of the things I planned on doing, actually the only thing I planned on doing, was drilling wells. And we did drill several, but the rig we were using, although well-built was not made for deep drilling or drilling through rock which is what is needed here.

Our first well, Barrio Oriente 2013

This past April, the boys and I had started drilling another well here in town and ran into so many problems with the little rig that we finally gave up and packed up. It was at that point that I told Ben and Thomas that if we were going to drill wells, we were going to have to get a rig that would do the job. Both Ben and Thomas want to stay here in Honduras, but as they told me, they need work. So having reached an agreement with them, that if I were to make the investment in time and money to start a well drilling business that they would stay at least four years and work it with me, Pozos para Todos operating under our umbrella company Inversiones Wolfe Honduras, SA de CV was born.

The first thing I needed to find was the capital with which to fund this new enterprise. Because of my personal view that "free money" and business should not be mixed, therefore prohibiting me from pursuing an outright donation, but being unable to walk into Franklin Savings Bank or Banco Atlantida and borrow the capital needed, I was somewhat stymied on how to move forward. Long story short, thanks to a very generous family, the capital was eventually provided through a loan from the Camino Foundation in Dallas, Texas.

Next came the search for a suitable drill rig that would fit our budget. After a lot of research, I reached the conclusion that rotary rigs, although far faster and far more efficient, were out of our price range. I then began to look at what is now seen as old technology, the cable tool rig. Operating on a principle that was first used in China 4000 years ago, the cable tool rigs, especially the Bucyrus Erie 22W, became the drilling rig of choice from around 1950 until the late '70's when the rotary rig was introduced. Now, in the USA, these rigs are rarely used and many of them have been shipped to third world countries where often there is more time than money, which pretty much describes us. This is not to say that the investment has been minimal. On the contrary, a small fortune has been spent on this project. Purchase of the rig, a truck and trailer to mount it on, new cable, land and ocean shipping, import taxes and demurrage has turned this project into a sizable investment.

After much searching, I finally found a BE 22W that looked interesting. Located in Bent Mountain, VA and mounted on an old Ford truck too old to import to Honduras, I flew up to the States for a look to make sure it was what I hoped it would be. After spending several days with the owner, I decided to purchase the rig and remove it from the truck. I flew back to Honduras, arranged for the ocean shipping through Crowley and then a month later flew back to Virginia to help load the container. All I can say about that day is that it was interesting, but we got the job done. Thanks Glenn and Harvey!

My Bucyrus Erie 22W mounted on A Ford truck

Dismounted and weighing over 10,000# waiting to be loaded

After an incredible amount of hassle by the Honduran customs (which I will write about), the rig finally arrived in Siguatepeque last week. Unloading it was easier than loading, but still very challenging.

Preparing to unload the rig. (Thomas, Ben and Luis)

After getting it out of the container with a rollback, we then had to set it on the trailer with crane.

We still have a lot of work to do in order to start drilling...like learning how to use the rig, but we have it mounted, a "cajon" purchased to store all the drill bits, extra stem and supplies in, and hopefully by mid November we will be ready to finish the well that got us started with all this in the first place.

As with all our businesses here, we take the "business as missions" approach. That means that as we support ourselves through legitimate, profit producing business, we look for ways to also do charitable or missions work. And that goes doubly for Pozos para Todos (Wells for Everyone). One very great need here is water. Many communities have little or no water. Part of our plan for the future is to partner with NGOs like Hope Coffee or the Rotary Club. I am also working towards an agreement with the Ministry of Education to drill wells for public schools...which is where my heart is and where we already do a lot of missions work.

My business partners

Catching Up

It seems hard to believe, but we have now been here for two years, eight months. With every passing month we are more deeply connected to Honduras and it seems less and less likely that we will ever return to the US to live. I have learned to never say never, but at this point in time neither Barbe nor myself can see that happening. We have a mission, a church family, three businesses to maintain, friends and a busy, rewarding life. The only thing we don't have often enough is an opportunity to visit or be visited by family. But, that is really no different than when we lived on the West Coast and my family lived on the East Coast.

I also realized as I sat down to write that it has been nearly five months since I last blogged. It isn't like there hasn't been anything to write about, but honestly I just haven't felt like writing. I have been really busy, and by the end of the day I am emotionally and physically worn out. I made two quick trips back to the US on business in the past two months as I work on getting our third business up and running and I have been working on several large projects/contracts that have taken a lot of time and energy. Between all of this, the Spanish Institute of Honduras continues to grow and as we grow we have been faced with new challenges that have taken a toll on me emotionally. Everyday we have nearly 50 people pass through our doors and our lives. We have 6 properties we rent and are responsible for and have about the same number of Honduran host families. Barbe and I both threw our hearts and souls into our work here at the Institute right from the beginning and nothing has changed as the school has grown. If anything, our love and commitment to the work is even deeper. In many ways, our roll has become that of parents. We care deeply about each one of our teachers and students, and our deepest desire for each of them is the same as any parent....we want to see them excel and become all that God has called them to be.

Most of our student body celebrating "the day of the child" at Parque Calenterique

Luis' adoptive family is here with us. Although Sloan will need to return to work before the final steps in Luis' adoption is complete, Mandy will stay with us until she can take Luis home with her. Luis has been with us for almost a year and a half and he has become like one of our own boys. We are going to miss him but, we have always known that this day would come and we are very happy for him and his new parents. I laughingly told Luis as we talked through some of these changes that it is time for me to stop being "dad" and to become "abuelo" (grandfather).

Carlitos is getting big and has become the light of our lives. He also keeps all of us more than busy. He is into everything! 

Thomas and Ben with big sister Gaby

Ben and Thomas are tall, lean and handsome and are very content here. Both of them will soon be working with me in the new business as they continue to their high school studies.

Mark is in Morocco right now as he back packs around Europe (I know, Morocco is in Africa). He's having the time of his life with best bud Nate Moore and I am super jealous. I am hoping that he will come back to Honduras for 6 months or so before he heads off to college and take over some of the responsibilities of the Institute so I can concentrate on getting a new project up and running. That's the plan for now anyway.

I still love the work I do in public schools. It may be the thing that lifts me up and encourages me the most. 

And then there's all the other neat things I get to do.

  

And I finally found a good home for Alfredo with someone who loves him as much as I do.