Yesterday we visited a small village church near the well we completed a couple of weeks ago. Pastor Martin had called and invited us to come and greet the community now utilizing the well. When you “go to church,” you don’t generally expect to be served tea and biscuits (cookies), the service already in full progress with the main congregation in the building worshiping, singing praise songs . . . and just waiting for you to finish your tea; and then a full lunch afterwards. But that’s how the locals roll here, pulling out all the stops for the visitors.
The morning was such a reminder of why we are here. Not because of any special treatment we received, but because of the joy of the people—and the dramatic impact available, clean water can have on their lives. As we were chatting, Martin and Charles (another of the pastors) mentioned in passing that this well is now serving over 700 people daily, and has never once been pumped dry! The only other borehole in the vicinity (a couple of miles away) stopped producing water within a week after the completion of the one we dug! Can you imagine? It’s no wonder that people in the area are asking when we’ll begin the next well.
This inexpensive, hand-dug wells technology has literally become the very thing God is using to save the lives of a multitude in this place. Try to picture hundreds of ladies or children coming to your house, traipsing through your yard or kitchen every single day—sometimes twice every day—walking or on bicycles, lugging at least two and often three or four “5-gallon jerry-cans” to fill with water for their family’s daily use. Pretty staggering isn’t it? I feel so incredibly privileged to have been invited into this work – and humbled by the prayers and support you have sent our way. Thank you!
God Bless you for what you have given to those people…..priceless.
There is so much to be said about what you and Rick are doing. I can’t ever imagine ourselves living like they do to survive. The world is changing and you both are part of that big change. The people there, (your extended family) will miss you when it’s time for you to move on. We continue to pray for the success of all your daily works. You are blessed to be able to do all this…. John & Terri
That’s God’s economy… blessed to be a blessing!
Rick and Sherry – what a privilege and blessing it is to see how God is using you guys there !!!
Wow !!!
Vicki and Meggan and Biruk just got back from Ethiopia and the second adoption of Tigist and Abi is going slow – their court date had to be moved to May — but pray that God will let them bring the girls home soon.
You guys are awesome !!!
Blessings and our prayers,
Nick and Vicki
I am glad you have had this confirmation after your trip back for the Boston Marathon,it must be harder going back than even the first timeas you know what you are going back to.No luxury,flies,heat.
Our prayers for you continue unceasingly,and we pray so much for Sherry,for her to fing her “niche”.What was her time in the fun run!! We seemed to have missed that bit of news.
Christine
Rick,
You guys are doing amazing work in Africa, may God bless your efforts and may you be blessed as you labor for the Lord.
Ed
That is so wonderful that you are bringing fresh water to all those people! What a ministry of unselfish love for you two to be doing. We are looking forward to hearing so many wonderful stories when you come back to California for a visit. Let us know when you do come home because we want to see you!