We, like many of you that have school age children, have had a busy summer full of activities with our kids.  Being in a foreign country and traveling as much as we do, doesn't leave a lot of time for our kids to just hang out and pursue their individual interests.  With our truck being broke down (for about 3 months now - that's another story), we weren't able to drill wells so we made the most of the opportunity to focus on our kids. 

     In the beginning of June, Audrey and I (Jessica) went to Lindale, Texas so she could attend a week ...<< MORE >>

We would like to introduce you to the newest additions of our ministry team. You have probably read about the Sanchez family multiple times in our other newsletters. Well, now they are working together with us drilling water wells and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With more and more opportunities opening up for us in Chiapas it was just a natural next step to find someone to help us continue the work when we cannot physically be there. Who better than the people we were able to bring the gospel to and also disciple them? << MORE >>

     Two years ago we went to a remote community in the Chiapas mountains named Chimix.  To get there we had to drive an hour and a half down a washed out curvy road, then up a trail (literally 4 wheel drive territory) and lastly a 20 minute walk down a trail to find this poor Indian community.

     Our first encounter (in 2006) with them was a memorable one to say the least.  Their water source was nothing more than a seep hole that was dirty and infected by all the animals that would get in the water.  They would use this water ...<< MORE >>

Persecution is not something we, as Americans, normally have to deal with; but for the Tzotzil Indians of San Juan Chamula it is an everyday concern. The area of San Juan Chamula has been a hotbed of turmoil for about 15 years now between the Christians and the traditionalists with their mix of Catholic and ancient Indian beliefs. << MORE >>

Here is a map of Chiapas and where it is located in relation to the country of Mexico. Sometimes when we talk about Chiapas we sound like it is a separate country. To us it really does feel that way. We wanted to paint a visual picture of where we are working, for those of you who would like to know more. << MORE >>

     God has been opening new doors of opportunity for us in Chiapas by putting us in contact with many new people.  One new contact was with a group of Baptist churches in Cintalapa, Chiapas.  They have a camp that is used for retreats (of all groups) by the 45 local churches in the area.  They regularly have large meetings there and were struggling with water.  Their hand dug well would run dry regularly and they need the water for cooking, cleaning and restrooms.

     Gabe drilled the water well with help from some of the local pastors and Christians.  It was a tough drill due ...<< MORE >>

     To say this trip to Veracruz was tough would be an understatement.  It's taken us a couple of weeks just to recover enough so we could write this newsletter.

     We started off the week with Audrey being very sick; vomiting, diarrhea, etc.  So when we got to Alamo, Veracruz we took her that night to the health clinic.  We found out she had parasites and amoebas.  Probably she picked that up on our last trip to Chiapas.  We started her on a round of medicine and she was feeling better the second day or so. 

     The drilling started ...<< MORE >>

     Even though most of our water well drilling is done in other states of Mexico, we continue to base out of Soto La Marina, Tamaulipas.  Some people might think...why there?  That is a good question; one we have asked ourselves before.  The answer is really found in the blessings and opportunities God has given us.  I especially want to share about our children.  Payden, who is 14, has taken to living here like a duck to water.  He quickly picked up the language and enjoys the slow paced life that we have found here in this small Mexico town.  He ...<< MORE >>

     We went back to Chiapas this month for 2 weeks.  We got delayed on the two day drive down because the leaf springs in our trailer broke.  But thank God we noticed it when we stopped in a fairly large town and were able to get it patched up.  All in all we were set back a few days but thankfully we didn't have any accidents.  

     Our first stop was in a small community south of Tuxtla Gutierrez called Benito Juarez.  Through a series of contacts we found out that there was a clinic being built there by some Christians and they needed water.  Some of you might remember last year ...<< MORE >>

     Missions Resource International (MRI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization/ministry working to provide fresh water through means of drilling water wells and other water projects along with sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are in need. The statistics state that: 

      1.1 Billion people lack access to clean water and because of that 1 child dies every 15 seconds

     We have combined this great need of water with evangelistic efforts to spread the Gospel message.  We have found that offering to help with physical water through the drilling of water wells opens the door to share the living water with people.

     Currently we are based out of Soto La Marina, Tamaulipas Mexico.  The Hilliard's, Gabe and Jessica with their two children Payden (15) & Audrey (11), have lived there for 4 years and drilled water wells for approximately 6 years.  We are currently focusing our work in the Mexican state of Chiapas.  We have also drilled water wells and completed water projects in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Hidalgo as well as Mozambique, Africa.

      In the fall of 2007 we partnered with Living Water International, an organization based in Houston, Texas to provide access to clean water to as many people as possible.  We also share Health & Hygiene training to every village and community that we drill in. This course was designed by LWI to promote healthy habits, better living, and spiritual health.  

     Along with drilling we also evangelize through movies, children's Bible classes, tracts, Bibles, Bible study material, medicine, reading glasses, etc.  It is our greatest desire to show the love of Jesus through a real and tangible way. 

           "...let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."  I John 3:18