Chanje Co-Founder Rick standing by one of two water wells built by Chanje Movement in Haiti.
Today, March 22, is World Water Day, a United Nations day of observance to bring attention to the fact that millions of people around the world still do not have easy access to fresh water.
While the primary mission of The Global Mission is to spread the Gospel, we take very seriously the biblical command to care for the physical needs of the most vulnerable. We’ve funded two deep water wells in Haiti and two in India, and we are always on the lookout for more opportunities fund water wells.
The two Haiti wells were dug about 6 years ago in partnership with our humanitarian ministry Chanje Movement. They were built in two different southern Haiti neighborhoods. Today, those neighborhoods are controlled by gangs and the those living their are experiencing violence, unrest, sickness and extreme poverty. The wells are beacons of hope and peace amongst the chaos. Pastor F, head pastor of the church where one of the wells is located, says this about its impact:
“Everyday, we give water to more than 300 families. 50 gallons per family. That means we give around 15,000 gallons per day. All glory to God. The water we give in the area contributes a lot to the security of our church assembly. It is the water that we give their children, their women to use. At the moment, only our church is able to give water to the community. They do not pay anything to find water. The gangs ask their soldiers not to attack our church because it is the church that provides water to the population. For us, this is a good testimony. The church at the service of the community. Not only water, but also hot bread, education and food almost every day.”
Altogether, the two wells in Haiti pump 8 million gallons of water a year for 182,500 families.
The wells in India are also providing for the vulnerable orphans, widows and others living in extreme poverty. They were built in church yards located in neighborhoods with limited or no access to clean water. Everyone in the neighborhood is welcome to draw from the well. When they do, the church building is a visual reminder that Jesus loves them and provided the water for them.
What a privilege it is for us to share physical and spiritual water with communities around the world.
