Aycock’s water purification succeeds in Honduras

Honduran villages have potable water and learn about the Gospel’s ‘living water’ from Madison native Joel Aycock.

Joel Aycock, far right, stands with Honduran villagers at a water filter (Photo contributed).

With His Hands Mission International, Aycock was installed bio-sand water filters since 2007. They pour concrete for stands that hold layers of quartz and fine sand that remove water contaminants.

One filter cleans water for up to 35 people.

From May to September, several American groups installed filters. Three groups from Asbury United Methodist Church traveled, along Wesley Foundation students from Auburn University; a Texarkana, Ark. group; and two groups from Clearbranch UMC in Trussville. They completed work at La Libertdad Viejo (42 filters), La Libertdad Nuevo (17), El Cedral (18) and Santa Cruz (25 filters).

“In the past eight months, we’ve been able to hire another full time helper, Edger,” Aycock said. Edger’s meager salary has allowed him to install indoor plumbing in his house.

Aycock and his wife Maite Rosa, a Honduras resident, have one son, Joel Josiah. Unfortunately in June, thieves in San Pedro Sula stole Joel’s computer bag with all his electronics, the child’s passport and Maite Rosa’s green card. “We’ve been blessed by all the people helping to replace everything we lost,” he said. They’re now trying to replace her green card.

June also brought good news. A doctor visiting La Laguna reported the filters are succeeding. Aycock had installed filters for 40 percent of homes, and the doctor found half of the families completely healthy. “They didn’t have parasites. Their bodies didn’t have to fight against infections from dirty water,” he said.

A filter’s material cost is $35 but increases to $75 after transportation and installation.

In December, Aycock will help Students International ministry start a filter project in Nicaragua. He is considering expanding there, along with Belize, Dominican Republic and Africa. He is currently back home and available for speaking engagements.

His parents, Rev. Jimmy and Ann Aycock, previously were assigned to Asbury.

For more information, send email to Joel.Aycock@hishands.ws or visit hishands.ws or Facebook/His-Hands-Mission-International.