The celebration marked a culmination of the efforts of many people; if you have ever given to the World Hunger Fund or any BGR (Baptist Global Response) humanitarian efforts then this celebration was for you as well.
The small local church wanted to cooperate with us, so the ladies came together to cook the food – Debbie was very grateful!
We had 25 invited guests. These men represented state and community officials, local chiefs and elders as well all as the water board – the four local men who would oversee the maintenance of the hand pumps.
During the first sitting, as the invited guests finished eating, the program began. Jerry gave God the glory for providing the water wells, he gave a short testimony of the difficulties we had when we first arrived, but through that, God blessed the community with the bringing of the water wells, not just one, but two. He then told the story of the woman at the well, giving Jesus water from the well and He, in turn, giving her living water -- forgiveness of sin and everlasting life.
During the program, the water committee came forward and Jerry presented them each with a bucket. “This bucket,” he said, “symbolizes the turning over of the responsibility of the water wells and hand pumps. As you receive the bucket you are also receiving the responsibility to maintain the wells and hand pumps so that the people of the community continue to have water.”
As Jerry finished others spoke, the chief of the community, an elder in the community, one of the owners of the land where we live. Each in turn acknowledged and thanked God for providing the wells and hand pumps that would provide water for their community.
After the program, Jerry invited all who wanted to join him at the hand pump nearest to our house to pray and thank God for providing the water for the community.
In Genesis 50:20 Joseph told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives". We have witnessed God using a bad situation for our good and His glory. We are continuing to witness a changing of hearts and attitudes. Pray with us that the men and women of Leither community would see the love of Christ demonstrated through us. Pray that we would be ready with a word of witness and testimony so that many would come to know the saving grace of our Lord.
You can continue to give to the Leither Well Project at www.gobgr.org/donate put the project ID # WH11429A01 in the comments box.
or send a check to
Baptist Global Response
402 BNA Dr.
Suite 411 Nashville, TN 37217-2546 Write #WH11429A01 on the memo line.Your gift is tax deductible.
We will detail specific details, food etc. we saw during the preparations for this event in an upcoming post.