About Hydromissions

Hydromissions International - Water for the Thirsty in Jesus' Name   Hand water well drilling rigs, pumps, filters, and appropriate technology equipment for world missions    World missions and water well drilling in Africa, India, Asia, Central America and beyond   Donate to non-profit world missions organization for clean drinking water projects
Contact Hydromissions International via email, phone, mail or Skype   Links to Living Water, Life Water, and other Christian water well drilling missions organizations

Mission Statement - Our History - The Company - Corporate Partners - Press Releases
 

Teaching hand water well pump construction in Sudan, Africa

Mission Statement:  The goal of Hydromissions is to further the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide by providing clean water through low-tech and/or technologically appropriate products and services.

First, we want to be very clear that our primary purpose is "to further the gospel of Jesus Christ."    Hydromissions is a Christian, non-denominational organization.

Second, Hydromissions functions "worldwide".  We are a global, humanitarian organization, and as such, we service all countries and people groups regardless of their religious affiliation.  We work with a wide variety of NGO's, for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, religious groups and government agencies.

Third, we "provide clean water" as our focus of operations.  Hydromissions is a great way to share the love of Christ while meeting a desperate physical need. The practical component of water ministry is often the passport for bringing the gospel into countries otherwise closed to traditional missionary activity.  We are involved in all aspects of the water cycle, including water acquisition, drilling, filtration, treatment, irrigation, hygiene and sanitation.

Finally, through our profit company (Hydromissions International, LLC), we provide products and services that are "low-tech and/or technologically appropriate."  Our products are unique because they are designed to be operated, reproduced, repaired and maintained by the local people in whatever country is served.  In addition, our products are designed to be extremely portable, allowing others to expand their water ministries into new areas that would be difficult to reach by other methods.  We emphasize non-electric, non-motorized equipment whenever possible, but we will utilize other methods if they are technologically and economically appropriate for the situation.  (top)

Hydromissions has always been, and will always be about the "little guy."  We are committed to helping missionaries and churches establish or enhance their own water ministries as God leads.  Together, we can make a difference!
 
Steve and Jennifer Lorch water well drilling in Honduras with Living Water International Our History:  Hydromissions founders, Steve and Jennifer Lorch, were introduced to water ministry in 2001 through a basic drilling course conducted by Living Water International and Brookwood Community Church in Greenville, South Carolina.  In January, 2003, Steve (a surgical nurse) served as a triage doctor in a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic.  He saw over 800 patients in 3 days, and noted that nearly 85% of the medical problems were water related.  This realization led to our focus on water.

The Lorches furthered their training in October 2003 at Equip’s Appropriate Technology Institute in Marion, North Carolina. While enrolled at Equip, they met several missionaries who introduced them to low-tech solutions to water problems, including bio-sand filtration and hand drilling for water. Innovative designs for manual pumps and hand drilling rigs quickly followed, and the concept for Hydromissions began to take shape.

In November 2003, the couple traveled with Living Water Carolinas to drill their first water well in Nueva Mesicales, Honduras. The trip was successful and further inspired the vision for developing low-cost, non-electric, non-motorized systems that could be used and maintained by the local people.

Hydromissions International, LLC became an official company in January, 2004.  With more field experience, Jen saw the need for teaching good hygiene, and for giving village women an opportunity to play a larger role in the water projects.  In September, 2005, having checked out a book from the local library, she started learning how to make soap in order to train locals in the field.  She also developed a gourmet soap recipe to give to Hydromissions supporters in the U.S. as a way of saying thanks.  The soap became so popular that people began to ask how they could buy more.  Before long, soap had funded several water projects in Sri Lanka and Africa!  By June, 2006, the single-car garage was converted into a full-scale soap factory, and Hydromissions International Fine Quality Soaps was in full swing.  The company also launched a nation-wide network of soap retailers and associates to fund more water projects.  In February, 2008, the non-profit company (just called "Hydromissions") received official 501(c)3 status.  In December, 2008, the soap line was sold to another Christian soap maker who continued the operations and sales of our then famous name brand soap, allowing us to devote our full time to the water projects.   (top)
 
The Company:  We really have 2 distinct companies that work together:  Hydromissions, and Hydromissions International, LLC.  Hydromissions International, LLC has the same corporate structure as that of any standard limited liability company with retail licensing and registration in the State of South Carolina.  The name, Hydromissions®, and accompanying logo are federally registered trademarks of Hydromissions International, LLC.  Our 501(c)3 non-profit organization is simply called "Hydromissions" (the name is licensed from the LLC).  In basic terms, the LLC handles all manufacturing and retail of products (drills, pumps, etc), while the non-profit handles donations and field projects.  Any buying of a product or giving of a "gift in kind" (equipment, raw materials, etc) goes through the LLC and is not tax deductible.  General monetary donations go through the non-profit and are tax deductible.  Unless specified, 100% of these donations go directly toward a field project.  This sounds confusing, but there is a method to the madness.  Basically, we want to cover as much of the overhead and administrative costs as we can through profits from sales rather than through donations.  If you are giving toward water, then it should go toward water (not toward copy paper or electric bills, etc).  No non-profit is 100% efficient, but this structure lets us get as close to that 100% as possible.  Your money matters - you've entrusted it to us, and we want to be excellent stewards of it.  (top)
 
Corporate Partners:  We have been blessed by countless companies and individuals that have helped us out in ways too great for words.  All we can say is, THANK YOU!  (top)

AMS - manufacturing the world's best hand water well drilling equipmentAMS Inc is a world leader in soil sampling equipment.  They have partnered with us to manufacture the Explorer Series.

KTM Solutions - our source for ram pump and soap making machine engineering KTM Solutions Inc is a seasoned engineering services company.  They have partnered with us in r&d, and in designing many of our machined parts.

 
Press Releases:  From time to time, Hydromissions has been on television, in newspapers and in magazines.  The following are some photos and articles that have made the press:  2Wheels4Water/Rock Hill Herald (Aug 11, 2008), WYFF/NBC (Jan 2, 2008),  Watch VIDEO,  Rotary Club Award (2005), Tribune Times (Sept 14, 2004), Tribune Times (Jan 18, 2004), .  (top)