How Safe, Clean Water Transforms Entire Villages
By Amanda DeWitt
“Water is freedom to life,” says Maysa, a wife and mother in the African nation of Chad.
“Before we had a water well in our village, there were only two things we could do,” she said. “We could walk 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) to try to get clean water in another village and carry it back. Or we could drink dirty water if we could find it in the hills.”
As a result many people in her village experienced illness due to dirty water — diarrhea, stomach pain, skin diseases.
But that all changed when Unto™ and our local partners worked with drillers to drill a well in her village. “It is truly amazing. We have a source of clean water, a very abundant source,” Maysa says.
Not only do people have safe, clean water. But they also have more time in their day. “We don’t have to walk for hours every day to find water anymore.” Maysa says.
This tangible act expressed the kindness of Jesus to a village in need. “I think this gift of water is God’s love. He gave us something important that we need for life … Our village is filled with joy now. We are so thankful.”
Today people in Maysa’s village enjoy safe, clean water daily. They have also learned about Jesus and His living water. And because they have tasted His goodness, they cannot wait to share it with others.
“For a long time, I did not know about Jesus,” Maysa says. “But now my husband and I both know Him. We believe that Jesus has provided this clean water to our people. Now we want to share about Him with others in our village.”
A Gift to Give Away
Jesus first introduces the concept of Living Water when talking with an unnamed, Samaritan woman (John 4:4-42). She had come to the town well in the heat of the day to draw water. Jesus struck up a conversation, first about drawing water and then quickly moved to the spiritual correlation.
Amazed at Jesus’ insight into her life — the things that had marked, made, and scarred her — she rushed back into town. She told the people all about Jesus, and they rushed out to see Him too. Many people responded to His eternal hope because, like Maysa, this unnamed woman could not help but share what Jesus had done for her.
Passing It On
Like Maysa and the woman at the well, we too have a story to tell. For all who know Jesus, we have realized who He is and accepted His gift of Living Water. He has done something significant in our lives. And as a result, we want others to know about the life we found in Him.
So how do we pass it on? Start small. Strike up a conversation with someone. Pay attention. Listen well. And if an opportunity arises, turn the topic to spiritual things. Ask simple, nonthreatening questions about what they believe. Then share your story.
Serve others. Show someone you care by raking their leaves, picking up groceries when they are sick, or running an errand for them. Over time you might have the opportunity to share why you care about their needs and how God has cared for yours.
Pray for those in need. We cannot talk to every person or meet every need around us. But we can pray specifically for the need of those around us. Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone’s life through specific, consistent prayer.
Like Maysa and the woman at the well, we too can share Jesus’ Living Water. How will you pass on the hope you have received with someone this week?
Help Provide Safe, Clean Water for Families
Matching gift DOUBLES your support to reach families with life-giving water!
To help more families like Maysa’s, a generous ministry partner has offered a $165,000 matching gift that will DOUBLE your support to drill new wells and repair broken ones. Each newly-dug and newly-repaired well serves at least 500 people — and as many as 5,000 — living in some of the toughest places on earth.
Beyond physical water your partnership will also expresses the kindness of Jesus and help reach more families with Living Water.
Published April 24, 2020
Amanda is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Gift for Leadership, Kindred Spirit, and Christianity Today publications. She holds a M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary.
