Living Waters For The World Holds
First Training Event In Mexico

by Bill Williams
 

On August 3-4, 2006, Living Waters for the World training went international.

The first group training event for the synod's water purification mission ever held outside the United States took place on those dates for system operators and network coordinators in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

The event was so successful that participants agreed to make it an annual occasion.

Attending were more than sixty representatives of congregations of the Mexican National Presbyterian Church's Synod of the Peninsula, which has a sister relationship with the Synod of Living Waters. Participating from the United States were the Rev. Wil Howie, LWW director; Joanie Lukins of Danville, Ky., LWW's coordinator for Yucatan systems, and a visitor, Ron Miller of Natchez, Miss.

"The strong opinion of all present was that this was an excellent experience," Mrs. Lukins said. "Many questions were proposed and answered, with evidence of good understanding on the part of the operators."

Mexican water system operators paid close attention at a
workshop, the first of its kind, held August 3-4
at the Seminary San Pablo in the Yucatan city of Merida.

The training took place at the Seminary San Pablo in the Yucatan metropolis of Merida. Its president, the Rev. Amos Cahuich, is a former coordinator of LWW projects in that synod, and has attended meetings of our synod, as have three other officials at the meeting, the Rev. Edwin Tun, synod president; the Rev. Miguel Sansores, the Mexican synod's LWW coordinator, and Agur Mendicuti, an elder who is seminary administrator.

Equipment dealer Carlos Castilla of Campeche presented a detailed discussion of the chemical and mechanical principles of water softening and reverse osmosis. Those processes are required in virtually all water purification systems in the region.

Presbytery coordinators reviewed their responsibilities and issues of compliance with health department regulations. Among the questions they addressed:

• How can we gradually become financially independent of the U.S. partners?
• How can we best continue the education of our communities?
• Should the price of water be limited?
  (Consensus: Yes, at 6 pesos for five gallons, equal to 55 cents.)
• What are the proper uses of income from water systems, given that LWW systems are a ministry rather than a business?

LWW assisted with costs of the seminar, most of which were borne by Mexican churches.