38 SEPTEMBER 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® by Tim Rasmussen, President and Chairman, Water for Life The donors of Water for Life are important. Without them, Water for Life could not operate. Often, our donors give us things that are immediately useful to our efforts in Guatemala, like cable, pipe, pumps, fittings, bentonite, and tools. We ship these kinds of items to Guatemala as soon as the next container goes, which is usually once or twice per year. However, sometimes we are given things which are not useful to us in Guatemala. We store them until we can either sell or trade them and use the proceeds from the trade or sale to support the efforts in Guatemala. Over the years, we have received donations of boats, tools, vehicles, old drilling rigs, generators, and various other things. The things we could not use or dispose of readily are put in the yard at Gary’s shop. Having lived here all his life, Gary knows many people in the drilling industry around Spokane, and seems to have a talent for working out a trade or selling an item that is not readily useful to us for something that is more useful. Some time ago, Gary received a call from Jody Carpenter who operates Carpenter Drilling out of Benton City, Washington. He was searching for large bore cable drilling equipment. He had a contract for drilling large-diameter irrigation wells in north Oregon and wanted to have some items on hand if he needed them during the drilling. Gary had collected many parts from cable drilling days and through donations. Many of them were suitable for drilling large-diameter wells. After talking to Gary a couple of times, Jody sent two of his workers to Spokane to pick through the various items of old tooling in Gary’s yard. There were sets of jars, both up and down, and stems of various sizes, a large collection of old bits, many different styles of fishing tools, huge wrenches, circle jacks, and a large collection of side spuds and other items not useful in the drilling industry of today, but are a necessity for large-diameter wells with cable tools. At first, Gary walked around with the men and identified items which might have been of interest. Among the unusual things was a section of a gun barrel from a recycled Navy ship. It was made from 4140 alloy, which is sometimes referred to as ordnance steel. It is great for making slips for fishing tools or for pulling casing. The 4140 steel gives a good balance of strength and machinability. It is very useful for someone who is making their own drilling tools. Many of the tools in the yard are good for one specific job, but they have a pin or box on them that could be useful for another project. The men were a little overwhelmed at first with all the tooling and things in the yard, but after looking around, they identified items they wanted. There were many things they thought they could use, but then realized the two heavy gooseneck trailers they brought would not allow them to carry it all. After thinking it through, they made plans to take what they could and make another trip to get more. They loaded what they could carry, strapped everything down, gave Gary a check for a mutually satisfactory amount, and hit the road headed back home. This arrangement of storing donated things until they can be used, sold, or traded helps everyone. Carpenter Drilling got the tooling they needed, Gary got rid of some of the items in his yard, Water for Life got a check to support the drilling work in Guatemala, and some farmer in Oregon will get a well to support his farm. The Bible says, “. . . all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.” Water for Life and the people who support us - the companies, volunteers, and donors who give their time, funds, and efforts - are answering a call to be a blessing to the people who live in remote villages of Guatemala. If you too, feel the call to help people who do not have access to one of the necessities of life - clean safe water - please contact Water for Life through this publication. Your contribution to help Water for Life will, in turn, bless others and yourself. If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-939-1941. Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR
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