Our team of twelve first met at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston for our eight day trip to Guatemala. There were six women and six men, ages 22 to 65, all from different walks of life. I didn’t know anyone, so I was thankful we were instructed to wear our Living Water International t-shirts in order to find each other! Our flight first took us to Guatemala City, where Jaime and Alvero (our LWI representatives in Guatemala) met us. They drove us to Antigua, where we were able to get to know one another while being treated to home-cooked meals prepared by Jaime’s wife and mother.

After two days in Antigua, we made the four-hour drive to Champerico. Our team spent the majority of our time drilling a well for a village and school on the coast.

I brought a bunch of toys to play with the kids between drilling and on our breaks. I managed to teach them to play baseball (using Frisbees as bases). The little ones used a badminton racket or a plastic bat to hit the ball. They loved the jump ropes most of all and were, of course, excellent at soccer. Several team members joined in the soccer games, too. Everyone on our team played with the kids every day we were there, and we all had a wonderful time doing it. After all, how often is it that we get to play Frisbee, jump rope, play soccer, fly kites, or just generally act like a kid?

Our days were packed from morning to night as we absorbed the culture, met new people, and tried to process all that we saw. God’s love and grace came pouring out not only through our team, but even more clearly through the families and children in Champerico. Through those families and their children, I have witnessed faith beyond what I can express.

It was so much easier to see and feel the Lord when I was on this trip. I came home with new eyes to see, a cleansed heart, and an open mind. I am on such a spiritual high; I wish this would last forever. My goal is to try to see the Lord in Houston as much as I did in Champerico.

I went to Guatemala to share God’s love and serve those less fortunate than me. At least, that’s what I thought. In reality, the poor, the orphaned, the destitute, and the thirsty showed me more love and kindness than I could have ever imagined.

Bayaha, the village in eastern Haiti that they call home, is one of the poorest places I’ve ever seen, but these kids, like kids everywhere, played and laughed, skipping down the dirt paths between their homes and splashing water at the well.

The well… it had been broken for years, before the LWI team in north Haiti came across the village. It took them two hours to fix it. The people of the community had suffered years of disease and spent countless hours collecting water from a distant water hole, and everything changed in two hours. It keeps them healthy now, but the well is overworked, so the team is going back soon to provide another.

Take a walk with me through Bayaha.

 

GPS: 12 56.155 S, 034 14.470 E

At first, it seems you have three choices: get your family’s drinking water from a mud hole swirling with dirt and bacteria, risk life and limb drawing water from a crocodile-infested river, or pay to use the well at a nearby mosque.

Unfortunately, you don’t have enough money to pay the 50 MWK (about 36 cents) for a single bucket of water from the mosque’s well—and you really need five or six buckets of water for your family—so you’re left with the mud hole or the crocodiles. Any way you look at it, you’re up against an impossible decision. You have to have water, so what will it be? Crocodiles or mud hole? Mud hole or mosque?

For years, the people of Chamba 2 Village in East Central Malawi faced this decision every single day. It wasn’t always this way. Once, they had a working well. When the well stopped working, the people weren’t sure how to fix it—so they found other sources for water. Costly sources. This problem wasn’t just costing money; people were literally risking their health and their lives every time they needed a drink of water, and all because of some cracked PVC piping and broken valve clips.

LWI performs hundreds of well repairs every year. In fact, for every new well drilled, two existing wells are repaired. We try to make sure the repairs are done alongside the community, training them so that they will have the tools and instructions to do repairs when the need arises. It’s all about community ownership, and this empowerment is at the heart of sustainable change. It means that the people of Chamba 2 Village won’t have to choose between the crocodiles, the mosque, or the mud hole if the well ever breaks again.

Safety. It is a cherished part of our American culture. We want to live in the safest neighborhoods, drive the safest cars, put our kids in the safest schools, and stay away from “unsafe” parts of town. As a mother of two small children, I am constantly thinking about their safety. I want to protect their bodies, their minds, and their hearts as much as I possibly can.

For several years, my husband and I talked about going on a trip with Living Water International. As we started to plan for a trip to El Salvador, my fears began to surface. Would we be safe in this unfamiliar place? Would our children be safe while we were gone? What if something tragically happened to us? What would happen to our children if they lost their parents?

I began to pray for wisdom and reassurance about my fears. I absolutely wanted to go to El Salvador, but my fear was overwhelming me and threatening to hold me back. Early one Sunday morning, however, I found my answer in a passage from the Bible:

“Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’ —when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:25-28)

In that moment, God spoke clearly to me about my fear. I needed to go to El Salvador.

We went to drill a well in the schoolyard of a village called Los Vertientes. The village was in desperate need of a clean, safe water source. Just a few weeks prior to our arrival, a two-year-old boy named Christopher Perez drowned in a river near his home. My own little girl was the same age as Christopher, and I couldn’t imagine the pain his mother was experiencing.

For four challenging days, we struggled to get water for the kids in Los Vertientes. I missed my children, but I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Christopher’s death reminded me about the concerns I had for my own children’s safety. Here, parents seemed more concerned about whether or not their children would survive.

We finally hit water on the fourth day. Christopher’s mother, Marlene, fought back tears as she pumped clean water from the well dedicated to her son. The water in the river had taken her child; the water from the well would give other children life.

Even though I struggled with my own issues of being separated from my children to go to El Salvador, I now see the world through a different lens. On this trip, I was able to be a small part of bringing comfort to a grieving mother. I was able to help provide the children of an entire school with clean drinking water. In the small village of Los Vertientes, I experienced a world much bigger than mine—a world where, often, survival trumps safety.
 
 
Christopher’s well, Marlene Perez, and the people of Los Vertienes were featured in a recent edition of Pipeline. Read it here.
 
 

Following an exciting opening performance of traditional African tribal music and dance by the Kuumba House Dance Theatre, KSBJ’s Liz Jordan welcomed everyone and introduced the program for the evening. LWI Chairman Gary Loveless provided an overview of financials for the year as well as a look into LWI’s future. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal as individuals shared stories from the floor of how their own lives were affected by the ministry of LWI. A dramatic presentation and an amazing new video from the field wove together true stories of lives and communities transformed by the gift of clean water.

LWI’s Stan Patyrak and Ali Eastburn from With This Ring spoke about the impact of LWI’s partnerships with advocacy organizations, corporations, and churches. Gala Chair David Weekley shared remarks about his own part in The Story of the Thirsty and the journey that brought him to this point. LWI’s Paul Darilek brought the evening to a close with a beautiful and poetic appeal that challenged the audience to continue to be a part of the story by providing desperate communities with a cup of water in Jesus’ name.

Early estimates indicate that the event raised approximately 1.7 million dollars, enabling LWI to continue to expand its ministry to the world’s thirsty.

The evening was dedicated to the life of Tommy Head, Director of LWI-Peru, who passed away this year.

The communities on the southern shore region of Lake Langano in the Rift Valley are considered some of the poorest people in Ethiopia. They live marginalized lives and support their families as subsistence farmers. Most people are drinking water from streams and rivers full of sediment and bacteria. During the rainy season there are large outbreaks of diarrhea. Serving in Mission, or SIM (a non-governmental organization established in the early 1900s), operates a clinic in this area and reports that a majority of the illnesses they treat are water borne in nature.

LWI-Ethiopia and its partner Selam Water is Life are working in collaboration with the government, local leadership, and SIM to improve access to safe water.

Achieving the behavioral change that is needed alongside access to clean water is a major challenge in this area. The Arsi people are known to be resistant to change, and many of the men are (at best) indifferent to the positive changes that can be of particular help to the women and children. However, there are encouraging signs of acceptance to the wells, both as improved water sources and as economic opportunities for things like irrigation and brick making.

New wells in villages like this one are inspiring community-based movements for real transformation. Clean water is washing away the resistance. And when the community gets involved, that’s when change—lasting change—can truly happen.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is hope for a different kind of miracle. Because of students and teachers in schools across America, 50 schools in Ruhaama County can have access to clean, safe water, and the children won’t have to miss school anymore. It’s all part of the Schools for Schools initiative, enabling schools in our communities to bring safe water to schools in developing nations around the world.

In September, a group of people from Hands of Hope and Living Water International gathered together, along with First Lady Museveni of Uganda, to celebrate the beginning of this miracle. Vicky Wauterleck, founder and director of Hands of Hope, opened her home for a special reception honoring the First Lady and those who have given to the schoolchildren of Ruhaama County through the Back to School: Uganda campaign. At the time of the reception, 23 water wells already had sponsorship because of the partnership between First Lady Museveni, Hands of Hope, and Living Water International. Mrs. Museveni shared her heartfelt appreciation for everyone’s involvement and expressed thanks for the school leaders, teachers, students, and others who are making it possible for more than 20,000 Ugandan children to stay in school and achieve their dreams. You can read more about the children of Ruhaama County here.

If you are a teacher, principal, student, or staff member at a school and think your class or school would be interested in helping a school in need of water, please click here for more information.

Andie Kincaid’s short film, “The Hydro-logical Cycle,” was the winner of this year’s Watershed Project Student Film Contest. Her prize? A trip to El Salvador with her mother to see the water crisis firsthand. She recently returned, and sent us her story.

“Draw near to God and have faith that he’ll draw near to me,” I wrote in my journal on January 1, 2009. This idea from James 4:8 would be my New Year’s resolution. I’ve since learned that I need to be careful when attempting to negotiate with God; he always keeps his end of the deal and frequently orchestrates something much grander than anything I could ever hope or imagine.

It was a couple weeks into January of ’09 [the year that I would graduate high school] when I first learned about the world water crisis. I had endured nearly 12 years of education without ever learning about the one-sixth of the world population that lacks safe, clean drinking water. That is, until a friend showed me Living Water International’s “Advent Conspiracy” video on YouTube. Feeling a heavy conviction about the seriousness of the water crisis and interested in LWI’s cause, I began researching the organization and learned about their student film contest. The grand prize would be a trip (for the winner and a parent) to El Salvador to film a water project.

I decided on an inspired whim to make a video; six months and 1,170 miles later I was touring El Salvador with a man named Abel, who works with LWI. Abel was showing me and my mom communities in the Sonsonate region that still lack clean water. I attempted to hold my tiny video camera up to the glass window, struggling to get a decent shot as the van bounced down the unpaved street. I finally gave up and began to talk with Abel.

“You cannot see the physical being of God the Father here on Earth” Abel told me, his voice as full of wisdom as it was thick with Spanish accent. “The way he shows himself on Earth is through others, through his people.”

At that moment, the little resolution I had made at the beginning of 2009 [and had long since forgotten] became a revolution in my heart. I will never, ever be the same.

Henry Martyn, a missionary to India and Persia in the 1800s wrote, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of mission. The nearer we get to him, the more intensely missionary we become.”

This summer, drawing near to God happened through my “mission” experiences in El Salvador. God showed me that he was with me and he deeply connected me with his people: the sincere LWI staff, a precious four-year-old named Katia, an El Salvadorian girl my age named Carla, a passionate church group from Texas, and the story of Salvadoran martyr Archbishop Oscar Romero.

As difficult as it is for me to put into words my experiences in El Salvador this summer—from the astounding shock of winning the video contest to the awakening of my heart to the great needs of people around the world—I feel it can all be summarized by that simple but vital concept: draw near to God.

In the Great Commission [Matthew 28:19] Jesus commands his following to go and make disciples of “panta ta ethne,” or all nations. So what is the unique, primal goal of mission? To reach people.

For me, it took a crazy trip to El Salvador to understand that when we draw near to God we recognize his work on a global scale. The ways God has and is using the ministry of Agua Viva Internacional in El Salvador is truly remarkable, but he is also working constantly and consistently throughout the rest of the world. As Abel said, God shows himself through his people, and as we draw closer to God on a personal level we are connected to others [and sometimes those relationships even become international!]

It is only when we draw near to God that we can become imitators of God, and as we become imitators of God we become motivated by love and compassion. That love and compassion then helps Christ’s followers to recognize the heart motive for the mission that all are called to: helping others draw near to God.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. – James 4:8

Through an awareness campaign they named “Welling Up,” Andie and her friends went on to raise $10,600 this summer, for more water projects in desperate communities.

Among the team members was photographer Natalie Hebert, who documented the experience. Her photos speak for themselves.

Living Water International’s vision “To Reach the World with Water and the Word” takes on many forms of expression. Reaching communities around the world with desperately needed clean water is relatively straightforward. However, the “Word” part—fulfilling the great commission, sharing the gospel—is a little more complex.

The best model we have for accomplishing God’s purpose is Jesus himself. Though he was never less than God, he lived like he was never more than man. Yet Jesus was man as God intended—sinless, whole, and perfect.

That being said, we must realize that the Holy Spirit produced the life of God through the humanity of Jesus. The same Spirit is living in each of us who have placed our faith in him.

We must be mindful that only the Holy Spirit can transform hearts and lives. Through the Spirit, we have the privilege of being God’s instruments for carrying out that transformation here on earth. As we help communities acquire clean, safe water, the Holy Spirit works in and through us to reveal Jesus as the true Living Water —the one who can quench any thirst.

Spiritual warfare is happening in our midst even now, making focused intercession essential for breakthroughs in our operations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We are joining our efforts with global prayer movements and trusting you to be part of this praying army. Our hope is for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit around the world that produces much fruit.

We are so grateful for your prayers and are confident that God is answering them in amazing ways. As always, you continue to be an integral part of our prayer mobilization efforts. Would you pass this letter and the prayer requests on to other praying people you know?

Sincerely,
Jerry Wiles, President

Download Printable PDF (580K)

Central African Republic – Praise God for the 35 new wells drilled in CAR so far this year. Please continue to pray for the drill team as they work to complete 10 additional wells by the end of the year. Pray also that the team would be able to retrieve a container full of supplies (30 new pumps and a compressor) that is currently mired in the mud. Pray for the maintenance teams caring for over 600 village wells now. Traveling in the rainy season is very difficult for these three two-man teams.

El Salvador – A container filled with pumps, a drill, and other parts is currently being shipped to El Salvador. Please pray that the entire process goes smoothly and that the team receives their much-needed supplies without incident. Pray also for an easy transition for Carlos (the country director) and his family as they move to be closer to the drill sites in Medina.

Ghana – The drilling crew in Ghana was in a roll-over accident with the drilling rig in Tamale. Thank the Lord for his provision: no one was seriously hurt in the accident. Please pray that God would continue to heal the team and provide for their care. Also pray for funding for the Disability Ministry Center so that it can be finished by the end of the year. Pray for Patsy as she receives medical treatments back in the States.

Guatemala – Pray for LWI’s Guatemala program as it goes through a number of transitions. They are in the process of developing two separate crews to help lead the mission teams that travel to Guatemala for well projects. Additionally, Chris and Brandy Hough are moving to Guatemala at the end of the year to help Jaime Torres with administrative operations in country. Pray for them as they travel, and pray that the Lord would have his guiding hand in all of these transitions.

Haiti – Please pray that the container of pumps and other supplies arrives in Haiti without any problems. Also pray for the safety and health of the teams on the ground so they may continue their work rehabilitating wells damaged by the hurricane.

Honduras – Pray for the Honduran political crisis to be settled peacefully. Also pray for safety and wisdom for the in-country team and the drill teams. Sony, the wife of Honduras’ in-country director, Emilo, is expecting a baby; please pray for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Please pray for the transfer of the NGO Agua Viva Internacionial to the in-country team, that there would be no penalties or forfeiture of the non-profit status. Finally, pray for the encouragement and growth of pastors in the Zamora area where new wells have been drilled.

India – Please pray that six wells would be completed before Windsor Christian Church comes to visit Varanasi. Ask the Lord to please raise up the right workers to help the implementers, and pray for resources to continue to facilitate LWI’s efforts in India. Pray also for God to open doors and open hearts in the field, and that new staff would continue to be trained in well survey and drilling.

Mexico – Continue to pray that God would open the hearts of the people of North and South Mexico to receive the message of the gospel. Pray for clean water to open the door for the love of Jesus to shine through. Please pray for Vic and his wife as they serve the people of Mexico. Ask God to strengthen and guide their marriage, their family, and their ministry.

Nicaragua – Please continue to keep the in-country staff as well as the visiting drill and pump repair teams in your prayers. Pray that the in-country staff would have the wisdom and provision to locate and prioritize the water needs in Nicaragua.

Nigeria – Two deep well projects are scheduled for the coming months. Please pray that these projects would be executed smoothly and that God would be glorified. Also pray for an easy transition of the big rig equipment to another manager and crew, and ask God to use this new management to help conserve the ministry’s resources. Pray for the next mission trip, that the Lord will raise and prepare all the people wishing to make the trip, providing them with exactly what they need for the trip.

Peru – God continues to work in the jungles of Peru through the efforts of Angela and the rest of the LWI ministry team. Please continue praying for strength, peace, and comfort for Angela following the loss of her husband, Tommy. Keep the entire Head family in your prayers. Also pray for the safety of the team as they travel along the river systems in the jungle. Ask for God to guide them and give them wisdom as they assess and evaluate each situation before setting out for the next destination.

Sierra Leone – Thank God for his loving kindness and faithfulness in this ministry. Praise the Lord for the donors who have entrusted this team to bring a cup of water in Jesus’ name to the people of Sweet Salone. Pray that God will bless them for their giving. Please pray for the continued safety of Robert and Ruth (country directors) and for the entire team in the field as they press on against the rains to bring sanitation and a cup of water in Jesus’ name.

Uganda – Health and hygiene training will begin in full force the week of August 31st. Please pray for the safety of the team and that God will use them in the lives of the people they are serving. Pray that the H&H team will grow into wonderful trainers who are able to teach the information in such a way that lives are changed. Pray for the marriage of Staci and Beau, that God would strengthen them and bind them closer together. Please pray for the safety and health of their children, Madison and Braden. Ask God to bless the peripheral ministries in Uganda: story time on Tuesday evenings with local children, one-on-one discipling, visits to Mulago hospital. Pray that God would meet the needs of everyone who comes in contact with these ministries. Finally, please pray for wisdom as Staci and Beau begin to hire a drilling team. Ask God to bring men who have a heart for him. Pray for their physical and spiritual safety as they come to help provide clean water to the people in the name of Jesus.