Changing Lives for Eternity
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink…He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38)
Water Wells
In 2014 another “door of opportunity” began to open. The need for clean drinking water has always been a problem for the people. They can dig a shallow well about 25 to 35 foot deep, however, the open wells are very susceptible to waterborne sickness and disease. Many of the young patients at the hospital would be diagnosed with intestinal viruses, typhoid fever, malaria, polio, diphtheria, etc., due to contaminated wells and other ground sources.
Knowing the importance of clean drinking water, the Hospital had made available to the people an area in which they could draw from the Hospital well. This was a deep well, at least 100 feet deep and good and not harmful. This was good but not convenient since many lived long distances from the Hospital.
The Texas Baptist Men’s organization began a pilot project to make digging a well easier with portable equipment that could be operated by 2-4 people. This offered the opportunity to reduce the cost and manpower needed to dig wells to the depth needed for good water, the new “door of opportunity” open for Walking in Love Ministries to reach out to show the Love of Jesus as He did to the Samaritan woman at the well. We now had another platform to tell them about Jesus, the “living water” for those who believe in Him as Lord.
The “Wells of Love” project gained its name from the Eku people who gave us the name for each well. A committee from the local area helps to decide where the wells are to be dug to be available to the groups of people that need it the most. This makes sure that each well helps care for the largest amount of area based on the size of compounds. Wells and hand pumps can be completed for an investment of less than $2,500.00. Currently there are over 25 active wells. These are in church compounds, schools, market place, community facilities, the seminary, the Leper Colony, and facilities that can reach out to the area. The surrounding Eku area has a population of around 300,000 people. Still more wells to dig.
As these wells were made available, a sign was posted by each well. It says:
WELLS OF LOVE
“THE LOVE OF JESUS
BROUGHT THIS GIFT TO YOU
HE LOVES YOU.
Ask Him into your Life.”
When each well is dedicated, one of the pastors of Eku will reach out with the gospel message of salvation through accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Each of the wells are checked on periodically to determine if they are working properly and which ones need repair. Maintenance is such an important work and we are grateful for those that donate to the upkeep of existing wells. When an existing well is repaired it is another opportunity by local pastors to edify the people around the well with God’s Word and prayer.
