Ulpan in Reflection

Having spent the last 8 months or so preparing to lead a group of university students, faculty and professionals to the primitive mountain village of Bentizul Ulpan, we really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. This what we knew:

• Benitzul Ulpan is located in the heart of the Alta Verapaz region, at approximately 5,800 ft.
• The village's access to water and water quality was extremely poor to say the least.
• The village is composed of 32 families and approximately 320 people.
• After a survey trip in August 2008, it became apparent that Lipscomb's engineering mission program could pose an answer to the village's prayers for assistance with their water supply.

So in late October 2008 the mission team was formed. The team of students, faculty and professionals immediately began to work on their design for a new clean water system for Bentizul Ulpan. After countless meetings, drawings, calculations, revisions, and trial constructions, we finally felt like we had a tangible plan to carry to and implement in the community.

On May 10th, 2009, we along with Steve Sherman embarked on our mission. We spent the first couple of days shopping for groceries and equipment, and the rest of the team then joined us on the 12th. Throughout our seven days in the village, this is what we learned:

• Things never go as planned.
• Mayan men can dig a trench as long as a football field (through jungle and over many hills) in what seems like a matter of seconds.
• Filtering water may not be as important as simply containing and restrictricting the pure source.
• Filtering enough water for the team each day with a single hand pump is quite a task.
• Hot showers or showers period are not to be taken for granted!
• Music and dancing is a universal expression of happiness.
• Two people sleeping on a twin air mattress gets quite old, even if you are newly weds (but it does help keep you warm)!
• Mayan religion may entail a better understanding of the Spirit and humankind's respect for and relation to the Earth than most branches of evangelical Christianity do.
• As faculty leader Kerry Patterson stated, "Teamwork, God's providence, and a willing community make all the difference."
• During the rainy season, work DOES NOT stop because of rainstorms or mud puddles or mud piles (or slipping and falling and sliding.
• Authentic Guatemalan dishes are delicious when prepared just right (thanks to Cata, our cook!).
• Some humor never gets old- especially when you're tired!
• Don't bring "the watch from Hell" (i.e. one that has an annoying alarm that won't turn off, even after being submerged in water overnight) on a trip when your whole team is sleeping in the same room!
• There is no better view in the morning than clouds rising up from their night's rest in the mountains... the beauty of the mountains God has formed can just leave you speechless.
• Stars just don't look the same away from the city.
• All men and women are made in His image... and we should be thankful for the many unique qualities of His which we reflect.

*If you would like a day-by-day account of our team's activities and to see more pictures, visit http://lipscombmissions.blogspot.com/