"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."
- Helen Keller
A Cup of Cold Water
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42)
The Buzz word for church life over the last 10 years would likely be COMMUNITY. Pastors and believers all over the world have returned to the idea that church is not the buildings or places to worship in song and word or to conduct weddings and funerals but rather it is the individual believers gathered together to do LIFE; today, believers gather in store fronts, homes, church buildings, barns, parks, coffee shops and around WATER WELLS to commune with God and each other.
Recently, I led a team of partners to Cambodia where we had the privilege of seeing the power of the Gospel in action. We conducted a village crusade at the dedication of one of the newest water wells where nearly 100 villagers gave their lives to Christ. We were able to use the water from this new well to baptize the new believers. The village life is now abuzz and centered around the Water for LIFE well. Families gather to draw water to drink, wash, and play. It is a constant reminder to those who just months ago were gathering around gravesites to bury children dying from water borne disease that Jesus is the provider of LIFE. Yet around the world, families still have to walk miles down a “road of death” to fetch their daily water, water filled with water-borne disease.
The diseases found in unclean, contaminated water kill 1.8 million children every year. Because of diseased water, up to 50% of all people in poverty-stricken nations suffer severe health problems. Alone they are unable to fix the problem, they are too poor But together we can HELP! We can step in and provide the help they desperately need. As a community of believers, churches around the globe have joined together as CHURCHES FOR LIFE centered around the call of God through LIFE Outreach International to PROVIDE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN WORD AND DEED.
A new well offers relief in so many ways: it stops disease, promotes healthy bodies, and provides the means for communities to become self-sufficient by growing gardens. Clean water is absolutely vital. With clean water, these thirsty communities can do more than merely survive – THEY CAN TRULY HAVE LIFE! Just as this water brings them physical life and health, these wells stand for years as a reminder of the Living Water: Jesus Christ. The clean water they receive every single day lets them know that God truly loves them!
In the past 11 years, the drilling of fresh water wells has produced a staggering amount of clean water. With more than 3000 wells now in use, each serving an average of 1000 people, the estimated number of changed lives reaches more than 3 million.
In 2011, the 12th year of Mission: Water for LIFE, our goal is to drill 415 new wells in 400 rural villages in 20 nations around the world.
The average cost of each well is $4,800. Each well provides water for 1,000 people or more. This means that a child can receive a lifetime of clean water for as little as $4.80.
This life-giving outreach is an exciting demonstration of God’s love because clean water really can change EVERYTHING!
Join the Cause! Get your individual community of believers involved with the Global community of Churches for LIFE and together we can make a difference. Please consider making a donation, or contact us to get your church involved.
John Yeatts
National Coordinator, Churches for LIFE