Community & Thought Leadership

Yesterday morning the team made their way back to the school one last time to pack up their things and say goodbye to students and community members. To end their time together, there was dancing and singing along with many tears shed by both students and TBK Bank team members. The team was sad to leave and the students were sad to see them go. The assistant principal of the school said it best, “Your faces will always be in their hearts and they will think of you always,” Each team member had a child they had grown attached to throughout the week and were all impacted by the love and affection shown throughout their stay. Following an emotional goodbye, the TBK Bank team was able to spend one last recess with the kids filled with more jump rope, basketball, and fun. As the day came to an end, the team headed back to the Living Water house where they had pupusas for dinner, a traditional Salvadoran dish that has been a team favorite for…

On Wednesday, the TBK Bank team showed up to the school eager to make progress drilling at the new site. While the drilling team went to work, the hygiene team taught three lessons including dental hygiene (brushing and flossing), personal hygiene, and the food groups. They also shared the bible story in which Jesus goes fishing with Simon Peter. In the story, Jesus tells Simon Peter to cast his net to the other side of the boat. He then catches so many fish that the net begins to tear. The students decorated their own fish as a reminder of the story. After the lessons and crafts, the TBK Bank team played games and activities with the students. Using the donations made by the TBK Bank team members back home, the team brought three suitcases overflowing with arts and crafts supplies, outdoor games, and toys for the students. Sydney, from the El Paso office, flew a kite for her first time. She then taught the students how to fly the kite as well. Erika and Megan,…

The team began Tuesday feeling hopeful and comfortable in their roles on the drill and hygiene teams. Gabe, from the Dallas office, said, “The group has a good routine. We’ve figured out how to anticipate when another team member needs a break so someone else can step to keep our progress moving forward.” After drilling more than 200 feet Monday, the team drilled an additional 300 feet Tuesday. Unfortunately, they did not strike water. The Living Water staff made plans to work through the night at an alternative site hoping to have greater success. While the drill team was hard at work, the hygiene team spent the day getting to know students, and some parents. Linda, from the East Moline branch, had the opportunity to comfort a little boy who didn’t want to be at school that day. The hygiene team performed a skit and shared a Bible story, which were well-received with great participation, clapping, and even dancing from the students! Following the skit and hygiene lesson, the students wrote prayer requests on construction…

Yesterday marked the first official work day for the TBK Bank team in El Salvador. The team began their day with a devotion and team time with the Chick-fil-A group before departing to their two worksites. Members of the TBK Bank team even led worship with guitar and bongo drums. The team was eager to make it to the worksite and begin progress to bring a clean water source to a school, about an hour drive from the team house. As the TBK Bank team arrived at the school, they were welcomed by 90 enthusiastic children! Megan from the Dallas office appreciated this warm welcome from the students saying, “They went above and beyond. I was super impressed, especially with the young kids and their prayers and performance.” This school has been requesting a well for five years, but Living Water has been hesitant to attempt to drill a water well at their location due to high elevation. Recently, a Salvadorian village with similar elevation, had success with a well which gave Living Water the…

For the 7th consecutive year, TBK Bank has sent a group of 12 team members to El Salvador with Living Water International to bring clean water to a community in need. The team arrived safely in El Salvador on Sunday afternoon! Members of this years’ team traveled from the Quad Cities, Denver, Dallas and El Paso, coming together  for the first time at the airport in Houston en route to El Salvador. Wearing their Living Water t-shirts, one of the team members was stopped by a gentleman in the Houston airport. The man had once lived in a community where a Living Water team had served many years ago. He shared with the team how deeply his village had been impacted by the well after gaining access to clean water. He talked to the team and explained how truly life-giving the trip is to the people they were going to serve. Upon arrival in El Salvador, the team stopped for a quick lunch before driving the 90 miles to their team house. The TBK Bank…

Like many of you, I have been moved over the last few days hearing the tributes for the late George H.W. Bush. Whether or not you agreed with his politics, he was by all accounts a man of high character and wonderful decency. I was especially moved by the tribute of his son, former President George W. Bush. The love for his father was genuine. I tell younger people who I have the opportunity to mentor – many who are newly married and with young families – No matter what you accomplish at work, or what the world at large says about you, no man or woman rises above the esteem of his own family. So to that I say, well done President George H.W. Bush. We will miss you! In a few weeks, like many of you, I will gather with my family to celebrate Christmas. Many of you will celebrate other holidays and traditions during this time. Whatever it is that you celebrate, I want you to know that I am grateful for…

The TBK Bank team returned from El Salvador at the end of April – however, they each left a piece of their hearts in El Salvador. https://player.vimeo.com/video/270205022?byline=0 While serving the community of San Josecito, the team learned many lessons – some the same and some very personal. Regardless of their upbringing, where they live, or their position in our company, one thing was constant. Their experience with Living Water in El Salvador has changed their lives for the better. We asked the team members to reflect on their time in El Salvador. Below are their responses. Jacqueline | TBK Bank - Dallas, TX When our eager group arrived in the village the first day, we were greeted by the community with big smiles, balloons, handmade posters, signs, and hugs. The generosity, excitement, and kindness of the community was overwhelming. No words can do justice to explain how I felt at our first interaction. Upon our arrival, we were given a tour of their homes and community. They took us to the contaminated water well where…

The week is coming to an end for the TBK Bank team in El Salvador. They made great progress and enjoyed making new friends in the village of Santiago Nanualco. On Thursday, the drilling team put everything in place to make the well fully functioning. They poured the concrete foundation and finished placing the PVC pipes. Team leaders Gerardo and Chris had the honor of placing the plaque into the wet concrete, commemorating TBK Bank and Living Water International role in bring clean water to this community. Chris was honored by being the first person to pump water from the well! Kevin carries rocks to the well which are used to build the foundation Gerardo and Chris pose with the plaque, which reads “This well is donated by TBK Bank and Living Water International in the name of Jesus.” Trip leaders place the plaque into the wet concrete The hygiene team spent Thursday teaching the community how to properly maintain the well and its pump. They also led an arts and craft activity where the…

After hitting water Tuesday, our TBK Bank team showed up Wednesday morning ready to drill a bit further to ensure that they had reached a plentiful water supply. The team was unable to drill into the next level of rock, but it was determined this well location was still viable. The team spent yesterday putting PVC piping in place within the hole for the well. When debris is cleared from the piping, a geyser of water shoots up from the ground! Everyone in the immediate vicinity got soaked, and kids and members of the community came out to play in the clear, clean water! In many ways, this big gush of water was a relief for the staff and the team members that have spent so much time and energy on the well. It was a celebration for all! Jacqueline cleans mud from the pipes as it come up out of the ground The drilling team getting soaked as the geyser begins The TBK Team joins under the geyser to celebrate clean water Marvin (Living…

Tuesday proved to be a successful day for both the drilling and hygiene teams. After drilling another 20 feet during the day, the team hit water! The team plans to continue drilling a few more feet to make sure they are in an area with plentiful water supply. Once the team gets the piping in place for the well, the Living Water staff has assured everyone that the air they use to clear the pipes will cause a big geyser… which everyone is very excited about! Sheri manning the drill with a splash of mud and a smile The hygiene team spent the day doing crafts and teaching more about the spread of germs and the importance of keeping both food and water covered. Having access to clean water is a great thing, but it’s also important to teach community members how to properly use water in a way that is safe and clean. The hygiene team finished the day with balloons, sword fights, and all kinds of group fun. The mothers in the village even…