Progress!

• Jan 13 "coming up slowly" is a phrase Berny often uses when working
  to get our shipment out of customs at the port and that's how our first
  few days have gone. We arrived at ICAP the evening of Jan. 1. The
  remainder of the week we cleaned apartments, sorted through the items
  that came in our November container, and took all the medical equipment
  and supplies to the health ministry and government hospital in Poptun.
  This week we tucked more things away from the shipment and began getting
  the trucks ready for the drillers; air the tires, replace some
  batteries, replace broken mirrors, replace windshield wipers, etc. etc.
  Bucky's rig was on blocks in the shop where we need space. I asked
  Edgar to get the brakes done and he's making progress on that. The rig
  is out of the shop now but waiting for Bucky to bring a part.
  When I was here in Nov. the pump truck brakes were not so good and I
  asked Edgar to check them. We changed a hand pump that wasn't working
  in Secoyob this week and the brakes still weren't good. We've had brake
  problems on the truck every year and we've had different shops work on
  them. I asked Huberto, a man we're going to try to train to operate a
  well drill to work on the brakes. He's very thorough and experienced
  and found the RR drum was extremely worn to the point of having a hole
  in it. I've never in my life seen that. We're trying to find parts
  now. Who knows, we may find other problems too.
  The Mayhew 1000 rotary came out of customs and made it to ICAP in the
  wee hours of Wed. morning. Headlights didn't work and the fellows tied
  a lite on the grill and came to the shop with that. When they left the
  port they filled 2 diesel tanks, not realizing there were 3 tanks. When
  the truck quit they used their water bottles to transfer 100 gallons of
  fuel to the proper tank. Seth will come Tuesday and begin drilling in
  the El Chal and Poptun districts Wednesday.
  Last week Steve Willis and his family finished doing well surveys at
  sites where we plan to drill this season. They are missionaries here
  and live in the Antigua area and we truly appreciate their professional
  assistance. We'll see how the season goes, as some drillers are not
  able to come this year. Health issues, weddings, etc will keep some away.
• Today the 6 of us will empty the north container and begin building
  shelves. We have many things to put away yet but are in desperate need
  of more organization.
  Friday a couple workers laid out the footprint of the kitchen by our
  apartments and began digging footings. That will be a welcome addition,
  saving much time getting things out of storage and putting them back
  each year.
  We appreciate your prayers.
  Until later,
  Gary