Water of Life Testimony

In 2020, my husband and I decided that we wanted to get more involved with missions. So how? First, we prayed and asked God for wisdom. We trusted that God would lead, so we updated our passports, then joined ASI. We heard that ASI was helping many ministries and we joined so that we could find out more. The next step was to sign up for the 2021 ASI International Convention in Orlando, Florida. We really did not know what to expect, but we just knew God was leading.

Our hopes were high when we arrived in Orlando for the meetings, and we were not disappointed. We were impressed with the many ministries that God is using to reach people around the world. Ministries like Adventist World Radio, Farm Stew, Amazing Facts, Adventist Fronter Missions, Adventist Southeast Asia Projects (ASAP), Maranatha and many more. We had some great conversations about what we could do to help spread the gospel next door and around the world. Then we talked to Gary Bartholomew at Water for Life, International (WFL). We felt impressed to join WFL in Guatemala the following January.

Our families were less than receptive about our venture. The fear that something bad would happen to us was on their minds. We responded that “anywhere with Jesus we can safely go…” even during a worldwide pandemic. Upon arriving in Guatemala, we learned that what we imagined was not at all like what we found. We assumed we would be staying in the city of Flores, but we found ourselves two and a half hours south on a remote campus in the Petén region that contains a secondary Adventist vocational school (Instituto de Capacitación Adventista del Petén—ICAP), an orphanage (Los Piños), and camp meeting grounds. This is where WFL has been headquartered, providing wells for these entities and in the region for nearly two decades.

Over the years, WFL has established a large shop in which WFL stores the wide variety of equipment needed to drill and maintain the more than 250 wells in the large region covered by the Northern Guatemala Mission. We were impressed that WFL is committed to keeping all their wells maintained and operational. We saw firsthand that these wells are needed and used extensively.

The shop is large enough to work on the trucks and drilling rigs, as the rough roads take a toll on this equipment. There are also small rooms at the back of the shop each equipped with a bathroom, including hot running water, a luxury in Guatemala that volunteers are grateful for. There is also a community kitchen where volunteers can cook their meals, but they are also welcome to eat at the school cafeteria. We really enjoyed this option as it gave us an opportunity to interact with the ICAP students and staff.

WFL does more than drill and maintain wells. They also employ Bible workers and help build churches. With the goal of bringing people to Christ, each well is dedicated to the One who brings Living water. The entire community is excited to come and say thank you, letting us know the impact clean water has made on their lives. One such dedication we attended was in the village of San Jorge, where the people bathed, laundered, and drank from the same river. When we noticed a dead catfish in the river, we were told this has become more common. People realize that clean water is lifesaving and are immensely grateful.

At each well dedication, WFL hands out Spanish language Bibles provided for by Light Bearers Ministry. These are received as a prized possessions by the locals. WFL Bible workers offer Bible studies to all that are interested and always have some that respond favorably. We have seen how dedicated these Bible workers and their students are. When we accompanied Esteban, a WFL Bible worker, on one of his visits, we met Juan and his wife in the village of Agua Chiquita. They have been impacted by a WFL well. These villagers now have water lines piped into every home. Juan was happy to share with us how this physical water was the avenue by which he received Christ. His relationship with Christ was made possible by studying with Esteban. Juan and several other local believers have completed the Bible course and desire baptism and a church. To God’s glory, stories like this are repeated over and over.

We were welcomed with open arms by both the Adventist brethren and just about any Guatemalan we happened to meet. Being introduced as a part of WFL, we receive a fond reception and appreciation is expressed for the work WFL is doing in Guatemala. Our hearts are now responding to this love, and we will be returning to Guatemala every year.

ASI played a major role in our connection to WFL and could be the avenue for you to find yourself on a great spiritual journey. Pray and let Christ direct your path!

Melissa and Gordon Wheeler