OEC Lineman Nate Hulse's Impactful Journey to Guatemala

By Brianna Wall

“There’s something to be said for the simplicity of life outside of working for that almighty dollar.”

OEC’s Nate Hulse, journeyman lineman, has seen a lot in his sixyear tenure building and maintaining power lines. He’s had access to the latest and greatest equipment alongside trained, certified linemen like himself. He’s heard stories about the humanitarian mission of building an electrical system from the ground up in rural, impoverished villages by those who have gone before him like fellow linemen Clint Mobley and Brad Scott.

Nothing could’ve prepared him for the lasting impact his journey to Guatemala would end up having on him.

Some things transcend language barriers.

“Kindness and gratefulness are universal traits. They showed appreciation in its truest form.”

Nate was part of a group of linemen from Oklahoma and Colorado who volunteered their time and skills to bring electricity to a rural Guatemalan village that had never before experienced it. Some of you reading this might remember what it was like before America’s countryside was electrified in the 1930s and 1940s. Think of how far we’ve come as a society because those first co-op members were willing to bring themselves electricity when no one else would. These villagers don’t have the government support our farmers did, so they depend on the skill and willingness of trained linemen to bring them the gift of electricity.

While Nate can tell you stories about the work they were doing and how different it is from building lines in Oklahoma, he quickly and excitedly changes the story to that of the Guatemalan people and the curiosity, kindness, helpfulness and gratefulness he witnessed during the project’s downtime.

“Clint Mobley (who traveled to Guatemala in 2017) gave me some great advice,” he said. “He told me don’t let the scope of the project overshadow enjoying and taking in the moments you’ll encounter.” A people-person by nature, Nate found those moments were plentiful and was sure to enjoy each and every one.

“A few of us were working in a valley near the village, and the kids came out and wanted to play with us. I hear this woman’s laugh, and it was a young mom holding a little baby, and she had the biggest smile on her face,” he explained. “A little later, I saw her cutting firewood with an axe. Everything she did she had a smile.

Near the end of the project, I gave her husband some tools and told him thank you, and he gave me a hug, then she gave me a hug and so did all the kids. I’ll never forget that family.

One day, Nate took the opportunity to teach the schoolchildren some English words. They were so excited to learn from these men who were only with them a short time.

"They were watching us in awe, taking in every word I was saying. They repeated all the words and were so eager to learn.”

A man with a big heart, Nate organized a clothing drive before he left for Guatemala. With the help of OEC employees, he was able to deliver the clothing to several families. He fondly recalls the families’ faces when they realized the intent of his gift.

“When the villagers began sharing about their new clothes, it brought them all so much joy,” he said.

What they don’t know is it brought us just as much or more joy being able to give them something they didn’t have.

One common theme among all those who have traveled to Guatemala for a similar project is this: Although the Guatemalan villagers they meet are impoverished and live in conditions we cannot fathom, they exude more joy than anyone they’ve witnessed in the States, where we have all we need and more at the push of a button. “Pure joy,” he called it. Nate’s biggest honor came when he took the opportunity to pray over the villagers and the workers at the beginning and at the end of the project.

“The closing prayer was difficult, knowing I’d likely never see these people again.”

Nate also emphasized the brotherhood formed between the Oklahoma and Colorado linemen who shared this journey together. It would not have been a success without them, and he’ll never forget the bond between them.

“We became a family because we’re thousands of miles away from our family and friends,” he said. “We learned a lot about each other and from one another. We grew to be great friends.”

While the crew completed the mission and the villagers are now enjoying the gift of electricity, the impact left on all the linemen is far greater than they ever expected. “I would do it all again.”