Have you ever found yourself standing and looking at water coming out of a faucet?

On a recent trip to Africa, I visited a rural area that has been in the midst of a drought. Our team was traveling out to meet with a pastor and his small group of believers and see the impact of some of the aid that Cru’s aid and development arm (Global Aid Network, GAiN) provides.

As we bounced along a road that looked more like a sheep path in our director’s four-wheel drive vehicle, the landscape continued to become more desolate and dry with every mile. As we pulled up next to a hand-pump water well, we were met by about 30 adults and a herd of kids waiting patiently to meet “the foreigners”.

For the next hour or so the pastor and others told us of how much it meant to them that believers in America would care about them and provide the well in their community. It had not rained at all for the previous nine months and there was not a blade of grass or a leaf on a tree to be seen. Yet, because of generous believers, these people had been saved from having to carry all their water the two miles from the (now dry) river.

Having the well in the “back yard” of these believers gave them opportunities to reach out and serve their neighbors who still do not know Christ.

Drilling a well in a community makes a dramatic impact in people’s lives and empowers their Christian witness.

One of the women we met, Grace, was a pastor’s wife who walked from a neighboring village. As things were wrapping up, she invited us to her home to meet her family.

As we drove the five miles to her home, we asked where people in her community got their water. She proceeded to show us a six-foot deep hole in a dry river bed that they had dug to scoop out dirty water they then carried a mile and a half to their homes, 5 gallon bucket at a time. Grace said she makes that trip three to five times a day for water carrying the 45 pound bucket of water on her head, with a baby on her back.

When I saw her giving her baby a drink from a bottle of cloudy water, my heart sank. I thought of our five little grand kids and how careful we are with what they eat and drink and realized that Grace cares just as much about her little boy, but that cloudy water is the best she could do. Although Cru has provided many wells and water filters throughout her area, we still had not gotten to her specific village.

Back home, it seems so simple, turn a faucet, clean water comes out. Join me in praying for Grace and the others we serve who wish it was simple.

Thank you for your partnership with us in providing clean water and helping share the Love of Christ with those in need.

Warmly,
 

Every $11 you send will provide safe, clean drinking water to one person for a whole year!